Things to do in Olympic National Park

With temperate rainforests, snow capped mountains, and driftwood-strewn beaches, Olympic National Park is the stuff that dreams are made of. Those famed PNW clouds hover low, giving the whole region an ethereal aspect. And yes, waterfalls truly are everywhere on the Olympic Peninsula.

There are loads of interesting things to do in Olympic National Park! If you’re searching for an adventure road trip, the OP is one of the top finest spots to explore in Washington State.

From the Insta-famous beaches to seldom-visited wilderness routes, exploring the Olympic Peninsula makes an unforgettable road trip no matter what sort of adventure you’re searching for!

Best Things To Do At Olympic National Park

If you’re seeking for the absolute finest things to do in Olympic National Park, here are our top recommendations:

1. Explore the Hoh Rainforest

• Most first-time visitors to the Olympic Peninsula don’t leave without a stop in the Hoh Rainforest. With a few different hikes of differing lengths to select from, it’s easy to understand why this is one of the top things to do in Olympic National Park.

• Keep in aware that the widely accessible trails are frequently used, so this may be one of the more crowded places on your stay in the OP.

• When we were there, it was a wonderful, bright day. Don’t worry though if the weather isn’t perfect during your stay. I recall going as a youngster on a cloudy wet day, and the woodland had a whole different atmosphere. (I believe I really loved the gloomy weather since it made everything look more rich and dramatic!)

2. Discover Hurricane Ridge

• A trip at Hurricane Ridge will teach you the meaning of the term, “the mountains are calling.”

• This spectacular scenery will make you feel worlds away from busy Seattle, yet it is relatively accessible. The trip up Hurricane Ridge Road to the Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center is stunning, as is the vista at the top.

• Explore the local trails, such the short 3-mile trek up Hurricane Hill, for additional magnificent backdrops, and take use of one of the numerous picnic tables in the neighborhood. Pack a lunch to be eaten with postcard-worthy vistas. Oh, and don’t forget to bring your camera!

3. Hike to Sol Duc Falls

• These beautiful falls seem like something out of Fern Gully (remember that movie?!). There are two main components to the falls; the first area you’ll go by is smaller and packed with moss-covered rocks.

• Walk a bit further and you’ll reach the main portion of the falls, which is bigger. You’ll absolutely want to view both portions, but we really loved the first piece better!

4. Camp on Shi Shi Beach

• To get to this fairly secluded beach, you’ll need to travel 2 kilometers over a muddy, jungly route on the Makah Indian Reservation.

• Once you reach the coast, it is another 2 kilometers of walking on the sand to come to the spectacularly magnificent sea stacks. But oh my, is it worth it for the sunset.

• Being that it is quite a journey, we’d recommend a stop here only if you are camping overnight, or if you want to spend the full day exploring.

• Do it yourself: We put prepared a full guide to camping on Shi Shi Beach with everything you need to know.

Read Also: Six Amazing Things To Do In El Salvador

5. Hike Mount Storm King

• This short but hard track is one of the top walks in Olympic National Park for good reason… Just look at those sights!

• Though the terrain is relatively short, this trek is not to be overlooked. The last stretch entails hauling oneself up using a set of ropes to reach the peak.

• If you’re prepared for a struggle, you’ll be rewarded with the most spectacular views of Crescent Lake and the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

• Check out our guide to the Mount Storm King trek on our sister site for all the details you need to plan your hike.

6. Visit Lake Crescent

• This lake, bordered by mountains, has a few great viewpoint sites and you’ll likely pass past it on your approach into the peninsula.

7. Head to the beaches at La Push

• The beaches at La Push on the Pacific coast of the OP are simply called First Beach, Second Beach and Third Beach.

• While they may not have particularly imaginative names, these Olympic National Park beaches are well-known and can be spotted on just about any PNW photographer’s Instagram feed. They’re popular for a reason.

• Bring a tent, a guitar and a surfboard, or simply a blanket and some food. However you choose to enjoy the rustic, driftwood-strewn beaches, you’re in for a wonderful time. But know that you surely won’t be alone.

• The accessibility of these beaches mean that you’ll be sharing the view with hippies hanging out in their half tent/half driftwood shelters, families on day visits, surfers, and photography schools.

• The jumble of individuals gathering together creates for a nice feel, and the dramatic seascape doesn’t hurt either!