The 21 Best Hikes In Olympic National Park

Recently, I moved to Seattle, Washington, due to the atmosphere and ubiquitous outdoor activities. The ability to explore all its surrounding mountains and nearby national parks sounded like the perfect dream. So, I took the leap from Dallas, TX, to Seattle. Before moving, I heard so much about Olympic National Park, and to be honest, I didn’t understand what the fuss was all about. The North Cascades and Mount Rainier sounded like betters options to explore. Given that the mountains aren’t as tall as its competitors, I felt like the Olympics wouldn’t cut it. Boy, was I wrong! Olympic National Park is such an exciting and one-of-a-kind park. It is filled with rain forests, beaches, mountains, lakes, rivers, waterfalls, wildlife, and so much more!!! This national park honestly has everything your adventurous heart desires. After visiting this national park countless times, I constructed an excellent list of the best hikes in Olympic National Park. I hope you enjoy it 🙂

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click one of them, I may receive a small commission (for which I am very grateful for) at no extra cost to you.

Where Is Olympic National Park?

Olympic National Park is located on the Olympic Peninsula, west of the city of Seattle. It comprises of four regions: The coastal, the alpine areas, the western rain forest area, and the dry eastern area. This is an incredibly unique national park where you can find a perfect adventure. The map below shows broadly where each region is located.

The city nearest Olympic National Park is Port Angeles, and it is located on the Northern side of the peninsula. The city has several hotels and restaurants to choose from. The travel time from Seattle to Port Angeles is about 3 hours. Please note that driving to other sections of the park might take longer.

Two common routes to get to the park are by taking a ferry or driving. I live in Seattle, and I have experienced both ways, and they take around the same amount of time. The ferry might be a bit more expensive. For more information on the ferry times, click here.

Olympic National Park Hiking Map

I have marked the Olympic National Park Trails in the map above. If you want official maps of Olympic National Park, click here. The maps they provide are handy for viewing specific areas.

What To Pack When Visiting Olympic National Park

1. Sunscreen: If you get burned quickly like my husband, this is needed. >Buy Sunscreen
2. Hiking Boots/Shoes: If you use tennis shoes you can easily hurt your toes hitting a rock by accident (Trust me I have done it so many times). >Check Out My Hiking Shoes
3. Hiking socks: Having the correct socks helps prevent blisters. Smart Wool is probably my favorite brand out there. I also love how they now have pink socks too 🙂 >Buy Hiking Socks
4. Refillable water bottle: I always bring a Hydroflask on all my adventures. They are on the heavier side, but I know for a fact they will not break. I have had a few cheap water bottles break on me before. >Check Prices Now
5. Water: Stay nice and hydrated.
6. Sunglasses: It can get sunny, so make sure to pack some sunglasses. >Check Out These Sunglasses
7. Snacks: The best snacks for hiking are jerky, nuts, energy bars. >These bars are great for hiking.
8. Camera: The camera I have linked was one of the first cameras I started using on my travels. The Sony A6000 is an excellent camera for people that want to start improving at travel photography.  >Buy Sony Camera Here
9. First Aid Kit: This is one of the first things I bought when I first started going on adventures. It is super portable. >Buy This Awesome First Aid Kit Here
10. Day Pack to carry all your things: The REI bag I have linked, we have had for seven years now, and it is still going strong! >Buy This Great Quality Backpack
11. Leggings or Hiking Pants: I love wearing leggings while hiking because I love how comfy they are but don’t forget that the PNW is known for being rainy. I still try to wear leggings as much as I can and only wear them in Olympic NP if I know it won’t rain that day. Either way, here are my excellent hiking pants that are super durable. >Click For My Favorite Hiking Pants
12. Breathable sweat-wicking shirts: Cotton shirts soak up your sweat when hiking, so make sure to wear something breathable. >Check out this awesome breathable shirt here.
13. Sports Bra: For women. >Check This One Out
14. Jacket: It can get pretty chilly all year long. Bring a Jacket! >Buy My Favorite Jacket
15. Light Jacket: The PNW weather can be unpredictable. That is why I brought three jackets with me. It wasn’t so cold when I hiked, so I brought a light jacket. >Buy This Light Jacket
16. Rain Jacket: When hiking in Olympic National Park, you need this in case it starts pouring on you, which is always a possibility in the PNW. >Buy A Great Rainjacket Here
17. Tripod: This is an optional item, but it is excellent for getting the ideal sunset pictures. >Check out this tripod
18. Fire Starter and Matches: This is just in case of an emergency. >Check Out This Fire Starter
19. Compass: I always carry this with me just in case. >Click Here To Buy
20. Knife: You never know if you will need it. >Buy My Knife Here
21. Headlamp: A headlamp is an absolute must in case you get lost or you take longer than you thought you would to complete a hike. Trust me, it happens even to me. >Buy A Headlamp Now
22. National Park Pass: If you are an avid hiker like me, it’s worth getting the year-long America The Beautiful Pass. >Get It Here
23. Map: A map is essential so you don’t get lost. >Check This One

Olympic National Park Hotels

Before reading my suggestions below, please note that Olympic National Park is HUGE. It can take hours to get from Port Angeles to the beach. There are also many towns sprinkled throughout that have bed and breakfasts. Below, I only mention two of the most popular places to stay near the park. They are both located in Port Angeles.

• Olympic Lodge: I stayed at the Olympic Lodge for one weekend, and it’s one of the city’s best hotels. It isn’t a five-star hotel, and I feel like the lighting needs some major updating, but it is the best hotel on the Peninsula. Also, the hotel is located close to Hurricane Ridge.  >Click Here To Check Pricing
• Sea Cliff Gardens: If you want something cozier, then check out this cute bed and breakfast. It located next to a cliff with spectacular views. Breakfast is good, the views are great, and the hosts are kind. >Click Here To Check Pricing

Read More: Where to Stay in Olympic National Park – 10 Best Cabins & Rentals

Olympic National Park Camping

Please note that Kalaloch and Sol Duc are the only campgrounds that accept reservations in the summer. Everything else is first come, first serve, and they only accept cash or checks; for more information on car camping in Olympic National Park, Click Here.

One of my favorite things to do in Olympic National Park is to camp on the beach. It is such a fun and unique experience. Camping on the beach is considered to be backcountry camping, so there is a different process to pitch a tent on that lovely sand. It is required that you make reservations here and pick up your permit at the ranger station.

Olympic National Park Weather

• Spring: Temperatures are cool to mild, and the weather is unpredictable during this time. But, it is the second most popular time to visit.
• Summer: This is the best time for hiking Olympic National Park, and it is also the most popular time to visit. Temperatures are mild to warm. Rain and thunderstorms are a possibility. This is the best time to get great weather, but it is probably the most crowded.
• Fall: Temperature decreases, and precipitation increases during this time of year. People still hike during this time of year but not as many as Spring and Summer.
• Winter: Winter is when Olympic NP experiences the highest amount of precipitation. Chances of snow on the trail are high. The wintertime is the least popular time to visit.

Best Hikes In Olympic National Park

Northern Olympic National Park

Hurricane Hill

1. Length: 3.4 Miles Round Trip
2. Elevation Gain: 826 ft
3. Difficulty: Moderate
4. Best For: Families
5. Trail Guide: Link 

If you are looking for a great hike with the family, then I highly recommend this hike. The views are outstanding throughout, and the trail ranges from easy to intermediate. There is a bit of an elevation gain at the end. What I loved most was how the views of mountains seem to go on forever, mixed in with the stunning views of the ocean.

If you aren’t feeling the hike, make sure to stop by the hurricane ridge visitor center. This spot is breathtaking and a fantastic place to take sunrise and sunset pictures.

READ MORE ABOUT HURRICANE HILL HERE: ULTIMATE GUIDE TO HURRICANE RIDGE

Sunrise Point Trail

1. Length: 0.9 Miles Round Trip
2. Elevation Gain: 219
3. Difficulty: Easy
4. Best For: Families
5. Trail Guide: Link 

There are two parts to this trail. The first is the Sunrise Point area, which I recommend to families or for someone looking for something pretty easy. As you figured from the name, this is an excellent hike for sunrise. I will warn you that it is a steep climb but very short and doable. Just take your time. Below, I talk about the Klahhane Ridge trail, which is tricky and only recommended for advanced hikers.

Klahhane Ridge Trail To Mount Angeles

• Length: 5.5 Miles Round Trip
• Elevation Gain: 2,017 ft
• Difficulty: Hard
• Best For: Experienced Hikers
• Trail Guide: Link 

I attempted most of the Klahhane Ridge trail but had to turn around due to snow. I will warn you that the trail was pretty narrow even for my liking, and I kept on getting vertigo (something that has never happened to me before up until this point). So I do not recommend it for inexperienced hikers or small children, especially if there is still snow on the trail.

Even with vertigo, I thoroughly enjoyed this hike. The views were glorious, and I loved that there were no crowds compared to the Hurricane Hill Trail.

READ MORE ABOUT KLAHHANE RIDGE HERE: ULTIMATE GUIDE TO HURRICANE RIDGE

Sol Duc Falls Trail

• Length: 1.6 Miles Round Trip
• Elevation Gain: 226 ft
• Difficulty: Easy
• Best For: Families
• Trail Guide: Link 

This is probably one of the easiest trails on this list. I mainly recommend this for families or people looking for easy day hikes. For more experienced hikers, I recommend doing the High Divide discussed below, as you will pass by this waterfall at the beginning of the trail.

I have done this hike early in the morning and later in the afternoon, and I have to say that early morning beats the afternoon. The rain forest is glowing with morning sunlight, and the green colors are extraordinarily highlighted.

Read More: The Perfect 2-3 Day Olympic National Park Itinerary

Marymere Falls

• Length: 1.7 Miles Round Trip
• Elevation Gain: 298 ft
• Difficulty: Easy
• Best For: Families
• Trail Guide: Link 

If you are headed to hike Mount Storm King, I would lump this hike in as well as they have the same trailhead. Marymere Falls is extremely easy and can get pretty crowded, which is the opposite of Mount Storm King. I recommend this mainly for someone who doesn’t want a strenuous hike or wants to see a waterfall before their strenuous hike to Mount Storm King.

Mount Storm King

• Length: 4.1 Miles Round Trip
• Elevation Gain: 2,106 ft
• Difficulty: Hard
• Best For: Experienced Hikers
• Trail Guide: Link 

If there were a hike I would redo on this list, it would be this one! It is a physically challenging but fun and delightful hike right above the stunning Lake Crescent. The elevation gain was pretty insane, and at one point, we had to use ropes to pull ourselves up (Yes, it is that steep)! But the views at the end made the intense workout worth it. I highly recommend it to people that are looking for a challenge. I do not recommend it to people that are easily afraid of heights.

This is a great place to watch the sunset, but be careful getting down the mountain as it is relatively steep and bring headlamps (well, you should always bring your headlamps on hikes regardless).

High Divide – 7 Lakes Basin

• Length: 19.1 Miles Round Trip
• Elevation Gain: 5,387 ft
• Difficulty: Hard
• Best For: Experienced Hikers
• Trail Guide: Link 

Ah, the High Divide. If you are looking for a trail that feels endless and never-ending, then you have found the perfect hike. I only recommend this to experienced hikers or backpackers. We ended up backpacking this trail but still struggled on it. If I were to do it again, I would only backpack if I could get two camping nights or getting one of the campsites near the Heart Lake area.

We saw many day hikers on the trail, but make sure to pack light and watch your timing. If you get a chance to do this trail, I highly recommend it. You can also day hike to Deer Lake or Sol Duc Falls if you don’t want to attempt the whole loop.

Spruce Railroad Trail

• Length: 11.2 Miles
• Elevation Gain: 410 ft
• Difficulty: Easy
• Best For: Families
• Trail Guide: Link 

I have done so many rainy day hikes in Olympic National Park, and this is another good rainy day trail. We decided to go camping one summer in the park, and it poured all weekend long. Luckily this trail was doable with the rain, and it is one of the few trails that allowed dogs. There were also many bikers on the hike, so watch out.

I recommend at least checking out the Devils Punchbowl (pictured above) to get some good pictures. I would come back here on a warm sunny day because it looked like a fantastic spot to swim in the summer.

Lake Angeles

• Length: 8.0 Miles Roundtrip
• Elevation Gain: 2,486 ft
• Difficulty: Hard
• Best For: Experienced Hikers
• Trail Guide: Link 

Lake Angeles is definitely a hidden gem in Olympic National Park. The first time I heard of this trail was two years after I had moved to Washington! If you want an underrated blue/green PNW lake then, this is a great one!

You can also backpack to the lake, but permits are required. This is an excellent trail for anyone looking for a challenge.

Pacific Coastline

Ruby Beach

• Length: 1.1 Miles Round Trip
• Elevation Gain: 50 ft
• Difficulty: Easy
• Best For: Families
• Trail Guide: Link 

This is my favorite beach at Olympic National Park. The first reason why I enjoy it, is because they allow dogs. The second reason why I love this place is the large sea stack jutting out of the sand. It is absolutely breathtaking!

Shi Shi Beach

• Length: 8.8 Miles Round Trip
• Elevation Gain: 561 ft
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Best For: Advanced Hikers
• Trail Guide: Link 

Shi Shi Beach is known to be one of the best backpacking spots in Olympic National Park. This place is an excellent beach with glorious views of sea stacks, wildlife, and driftwood. It is usually pretty muddy so bring good hiking shoes. You also need two permits to visit: The Makah Recreation Pass and the Olympic National Park wilderness permit.

Rialto Beach To Hole In The Wall

• Length: 3.3 Miles Round Trip
• Elevation Gain: 108
• Difficulty: Easy
• Best For: Families
• Trail Guide: Link 

If you are looking for a great spot to take great Pacific Northwest pictures, then this should be your stop! This trail has sea stacks, wildlife, driftwood, and it is a great spot to take sunset pictures. The path is super easy with no elevation gain unless you climb up some rocks to view the sea stacks from above. I highly recommend checking out the tide charts beforehand, as the hole-in-the-wall area can only be reached during low tide.

READ MORE ABOUT RIALTO BEACH HERE: ULTIMATE GUIDE TO RIALTO BEACH

Cape Flattery

• Length: 1.2 Miles Round Trip
• Elevation Gain: 229
• Difficulty: Easy
• Best For: Families
• Trail Guide: Link 

If you want bright blue water with sea stacks and tall cliffs, check out Cape Flattery! It is the most northwest tip of the contiguous United States! The hike is pretty accessible with a lovely boardwalk, and the Makah Tribe manages it. You can get a parking permit at Washburn’s General Store or The Makah Museum on the way to the trail. This is a great family trail.

Second Beach

• Length: 2.1 Miles Round Trip
• Elevation Gain: 278 ft
• Difficulty: Easy
• Best For: Family
• Trail Guide: Link 

If you were looking for a perfect beach camping spot, then you will love Second Beach! If only the weather were more forgiving when I visited Second Beach, I probably would have taken a million pictures of this beautiful spot, but it poured on us most of the time we were there. Even with the downpour, we opened the rainfly and watched the sea stacks while drinking a nice cold can of rosé.

Second Beach is a great spot to relax during the day with family and friends. It is the definition of PNW vibes and a moody atmosphere. Although it rained on us, we still enjoyed the views. There were so many people on the beach doing the same thing.

The hike is pretty easy. It takes you through the rain forest and driftwood before it opens up to the stunning beach. I have written a very in-depth blog post if you want to read more on it below.

READ MORE ABOUT SECOND BEACH HERE: ULTIMATE GUIDE TO SECOND BEACH

Third Beach

• Length: 5.3 Miles Round Trip
• Elevation Gain: 853 ft
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Best For: Experienced Hikers
• Trail Guide: Link 

Third Beach is a similar hike to Second Beach. The beach is located south of Second Beach. Like South Beach, this trail takes you through the forest and then out to a driftwood crossing. You can camp on the beach if you have backpacking equipment. Just make sure to grab a permit beforehand.

Hoh Forest Trails

Hall of Mosses – Hoh River Trail

• Length: 1.1 Miles
• Elevation Gain: 78 ft
• Difficulty: Easy
• Best For: Families
• Trail Guide: Link 

One of the most popular trails on this list is the Hall of Mosses trail. This trail is spectacular and looks like it came out straight out of a Dr. Seuss book! It is relatively easy and can be done all year long, rain or shine. It will likely be rainy, but it doesn’t matter because the mossy green trees thrive in this rain.

Spruce Nature Trail

• Length: 1.4 Miles
• Elevation Gain: 16 ft
• Difficulty: Easy
• Best For: Families
• Trail Guide: Link 

Check out the Spruce Nature Trail if you feel like the Hall of Mosses was a little too short. This hike features trees, a river, a pond, and a cute bridge.

Quinault River Trails

Enchanted Valley – East Fork Quinault River Trail

• Length: 27 Miles Round Trip
• Elevation Gain: 3,244 ft
• Difficulty: Hard
• Best For: Experienced backpackers
• Trail Guide: Link 

I know this isn’t technically a hike and more of a backpacking trail, but I included it because it has been my favorite Olympic National Park experience. Don’t get me wrong, I was dying of exhaustion while attempting this trail. I was miserable for some part of it (I was still a bit out of shape at the time). But the views at the end were glorious, and it made me want to attempt more backpacking trips to avoid overcrowding. I also loved seeing the black bears throughout the trail.

I have also included this trail in this post as many people day hike the Quinault Rain Forest to see the Pony Bridge. The Pony Bridge is one of the first “Lunch Spots” when you are backpacking the trail. I liked the Pony Bridge area, however, I much preferred it combined with the enchanted valley chalet, not really as a standalone hike. Getting to the trailhead was out of the way and a bit dodgy. So, I only recommend attempting this trail if you are backpacking.

READ MORE ABOUT ENCHANTED VALLEY HERE: ENCHANTED VALLEY BACKPACK TRIP GUIDE

Staircase Area

Mount Ellinor

• Length: 5.9 Miles Round Trip
• Elevation Gain: 3,398 ft
• Difficulty: Hard
• Best For: Experienced Hikers
• Trail Guide: Link 

There are two trailheads to get to the top: the upper trailhead or the lower trailhead. I needed to get some stuff done around the house, so I decided to do the upper trailhead because it was shorter. When the trail becomes a loop, there is an option to do the summer trail or the winter trail; I decided to do the summer trail.

I did this trail the day before I am writing this blog post, and let me tell you that this trail is a pretty steep climb! Don’t let the 3.2-mile distance fool you into thinking it is a walk in the park. I saw many people struggling on this trail. I luckily just completed the High Divide hike the weekend before, so it wasn’t a massive struggle for me, but I am a little sore today as I am writing this.

I did see families on the trail, but I recommend this to families that frequently hike as it might be too tough on kids.

Staircase Rapids Loop Trail

• Length: 2.1 Miles
• Elevation Gain: 213 ft
• Difficulty: Easy
• Best For: Families
• Trail Guide: Link 

Another rainy day hike that I enjoyed was the stunning Staircase Rapids. This trail is around 4 miles round trip, but it is relatively easy. I love doing this hike on rainy, cold, foggy days because the trees look brilliant no matter the weather. I also love the beautiful bridge where you can take awesome Instagram photos. The river underneath is a bright green/blue hue and adds to the beauty of this place.

Lower Lena Lake

• Length: 7.0 Miles
• Elevation Gain: 1,630 ft
• Difficulty: Hard
• Best For: Experienced Hikers
• Trail Guide: Link 

Ok, so I know most people will look at the 14 miles round trip and completely miss this trail but hear me out. There are two sections of this trail. There is Lower Lena Lake which is around 7 miles round trip and listed as moderate. Then there is Upper Lena Lake which is the 14 miles round trip. Of course, I highly recommend you get a permit and backpack to Upper Lena Lake as it is a little too long to day hike, in my opinion.

I also want to note that Lower Lena Lake is located in the National Forest, and Upper Lena Lake is located in the national park.

Whichever trail you choose, you will not be disappointed! These lakes are stunning, and getting to them indeed is magical. Mossy trees and the river crossing are so dreamy.

Last Thoughts On Best Olympic National Park Hikes

I hope you enjoyed this extensive guide on the Olympic National Park hiking trails. There is just sooooo much to do in this beautiful National Park that I hope I made your planning a little easier. Please let me know if you have any more questions, and check out some of my other blog posts on the Pacific Northwest:

• The Best Mt. Baker Hikes In WA State
• The Best Washington Beaches
• Best Hikes In Washington State
• The Most Incredible Washington Road Trip Itinerary: 7-14 days
• The Perfect 2-3 Day Olympic National Park Itinerary

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