America’s Only Rainforest Wilderness Hides Ancient Trees, Wild Beaches & Snowy Mountains in Washington

Olympic National Park, Washington

Olympic National Park is three parks in one: snowy peaks, rainforests thick with moss, and wild beaches where seals nap on rocks.

From glacier lakes to hot springs, this corner of Washington state packs more natural wonders than most countries.

Here are the most incredible things to do in this Pacific Northwest crown jewel.

Hurricane Ridge

Just 17 miles from Port Angeles, Hurricane Ridge offers stunning views of glacier-covered peaks throughout the Olympic Mountains. Named for its winter storms, summer brings pleasant temperatures and clear vistas.

You can take the popular Hurricane Hill Trail, a manageable 3-mile round-trip with 800 feet of elevation gain that’s suitable for most fitness levels. The Cirque Rim Trail provides an easier option with similar views.

Look for Olympic marmots and blacktail deer in the subalpine meadows. Pack a picnic to enjoy at one of the designated areas.

The Visitor Center was updated for 2025 and includes new interactive exhibits about alpine ecology. Public restrooms, water stations, and a small snack bar are available from May through September.

Hoh Rainforest

The famous Hoh Rainforest receives an incredible 140 inches of rain annually plus another 30 inches from mist, creating a magical green world. The easy Hall of Mosses Trail (0.8-mile loop) takes you through old-growth forest draped in moss and ferns.

Look for Roosevelt elk that often graze in forest clearings. Giant Sitka spruce trees here can reach over 300 feet tall and live for 800+ years.

The flat Spruce Nature Trail (1.2 miles) provides another family-friendly option. Note that the road to Hoh is closed until May 9, 2025, so visit Quinault Rainforest instead if you’re coming earlier.

The ranger station offers daily guided walks during summer months where you can learn about nurse logs and forest ecosystems.

Coastal Beaches

Olympic protects nearly 73 miles of wild Pacific coastline with stunning cliffs, sea stacks, sandy beaches and tide pools. Ruby Beach features dramatic rock formations and colorful pebbles perfect for beachcombing.

Kalaloch Beach is home to the famous Tree of Life, a tree growing on an eroded bluff with exposed roots. Beach 4 offers the best tide pools where you can spot sea stars, anemones, and small crabs.

Second Beach requires a short 0.7-mile hike through forest before revealing its wide sandy expanse.

Visit during minus tides (March-September) for the best marine life viewing. Beach campfires are permitted below the high tide line in designated areas.

Always check current tide tables as some beach sections become impassable at high tide.

Lake Crescent

This stunning glacial lake is 12 miles long and over 600 feet deep with remarkable clarity and intense blue color. The popular Marymere Falls Trail (1.8 miles round-trip) leads through ancient forest to a 90-foot waterfall.

Rent kayaks or paddleboards from the Lake Crescent Lodge boathouse to explore the calm waters. The Spruce Railroad Trail offers a flat 8-mile path along the northern shore with swimming spots including the famous Devil’s Punchbowl.

Try fishing for Beardslee trout, a species found only in this lake. The lakefront dining room serves breakfast, lunch and dinner featuring local ingredients. Several picnic areas with tables and grills are available along the shore with day-use parking.

Sol Duc Valley

Sol Duc Valley features a name derived from the Quileute word for “sparkling waters” – fitting for this area’s attractions. The moderate 1.6-mile round-trip trail to Sol Duc Falls takes you through lush forest to view the 48-foot cascade that splits into four channels.

After hiking, relax at Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort where three mineral pools of different temperatures plus one freshwater pool await. The resort has upgraded its facilities for 2025 with new changing rooms and expanded deck space.

Salmon Cascade is a roadside stop where you can watch fish leap upstream during fall spawning season. Several smaller trails connect the resort area to backcountry campsites. The resort restaurant serves breakfast and dinner daily with lunch options available at the poolside deli during summer.

Lake Quinault

This peaceful area houses some of America’s largest trees in the “Valley of the Giants,” with massive Sitka spruce, hemlock, and Douglas fir. The half-mile Maple Glade Trail loops through lush rainforest with interpretive signs explaining the ecosystem.

See the world’s largest Sitka spruce tree (191 feet tall, 58 feet around) just off South Shore Road. The 4-mile Quinault Loop Trail connects several shorter paths for a comprehensive forest experience.

Rain forest mushroom varieties peak in fall with over 30 species visible along trails. Historic Lake Quinault Lodge overlooks the lake with spacious rooms amid towering trees.

The 31-mile Quinault Loop Drive circles the lake with numerous scenic pullouts and waterfall views. Rental boats are available at the lodge marina from May through September.

Rialto Beach

Located at the end of Mora Road near Forks, Rialto Beach offers dramatic coastal scenery with minimal hiking required. The 1.5-mile beach walk to Hole-in-the-Wall, a natural sea arch, is only accessible during low tide.

Massive driftwood logs create natural seating for sunset viewing. Offshore islands provide nesting sites for seabirds like puffins and cormorants.

Smooth stones here make perfect skipping rocks across calm sections of water. Expanded parking and improved trail markers were added for 2025.

Morning fog often creates mystical photo opportunities as it lifts from sea stacks. The nearby Mora Campground offers 94 sites among old-growth forest, perfect for overnight stays. Restrooms with running water and picnic facilities are available year-round.

Stargazing

Far from city lights, Olympic offers exceptional stargazing opportunities. Hurricane Ridge hosts regular astronomy programs with Master Observers and telescopes throughout summer.

Free programs include dark sky events, full moon hikes, and special astronomy talks. The 2025 schedule features meteor shower viewings during the Perseids in August.

Hurricane Ridge parking lots remain open until midnight during scheduled star programs. Bring warm layers as temperatures drop significantly after sunset.

Third Beach provides excellent coastal stargazing just 100 feet from parking. Use red flashlights to preserve night vision while navigating after dark.

The Milky Way is most visible from July through September when skies are clearest. Lake Quinault’s old golf course area offers another good viewing spot with open skies.

Wildlife Viewing

Olympic’s diverse ecosystems support abundant wildlife viewing chances. Scan coastlines for bald eagles and migrating gray whales (March-May).

The Elwha Valley hosts Roosevelt elk, black-tailed deer, and over 300 bird species. Spring brings elk calves in Hoh and Quinault Rainforests and migratory birds return in May.

River otters are commonly spotted along the Sol Duc and Hoh Rivers, especially in early morning. Black bears feed on berries in subalpine meadows from July through September.

New wildlife viewing platforms were installed at Kalaloch in 2025. Dawn and dusk offer the best viewing times for most mammals.

The unique Olympic marmot lives only in the park’s high meadows and whistles when alarmed. Banana slugs, measuring up to 10 inches, appear on forest trails after rain.

Planning Your Trip

The main Olympic National Park Visitor Center is located at 600 E. Park Avenue, Port Angeles, WA 98362. You can call 360-565-3130 for the latest updates.

Park entrance fees are $25 per vehicle or $10 per individual on foot or bicycle, valid for seven days. Consider the America the Beautiful annual pass for $80 if you’ll visit multiple parks.

The park is open 24/7 year-round, though some roads close seasonally due to snow. Summer (June-September) is the busiest season, so arrive early to secure parking at popular areas like Hurricane Ridge and Hoh Rainforest.

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