Olympic national park Must visit locations

Olympic National Park is one of the most diverse and rewarding weekend getaways from Seattle. From rugged coastlines and alpine hikes to lush rainforests and scenic bike trails, this park truly offers something in every season.

Because the park is massive, your experience depends heavily on which area you choose to visit. That’s what makes Olympic National Park special — you can return multiple times and have a completely different trip each visit.

A Class C RV parked at a forest campsite surrounded by tall trees on a rainy, overcast day.
A peaceful RV campsite hidden in Hamma Hamma among the trees on a rainy day.

Planning Olympic National Park?

Start here:

  • Short on time (2–3 days) → Lake Crescent + Rialto Beach
  • First-time visitors → Lake Crescent, Marymere Falls, and a coastal stop
  • Want easy, family-friendly hikes → Marymere Falls & Spruce Railroad Trail
  • Want iconic views → Storm King Trail (steep, not beginner-friendly)
  • Want rainforest vibes → Hoh Rainforest (arrive before 8 AM)
  • Traveling with an RV → Lake Crescent area & Fairholme Campground
  • Visiting in winter → Coastlines, Lake Crescent, and low-elevation trails
  • Want fewer crowds → Shoulder season (April–May or September)
  • Photography focused → Sunrise at Lake Crescent, sunset at Rialto or Ruby Beach
  • Traveling with pets → Coastal beaches & paved trails (many trails restrict pets)
Marymere Falls cascading through a mossy forest in Olympic National Park with a viewing platform below.
Marymere Falls flowing through the forest near Lake Crescent in Olympic National Park.

How Far Is Olympic National Park from Seattle?

Olympic National Park is approximately 2 to 3.5 hours from Seattle, depending on where you’re going.

Lake Crescent and Hurricane Ridge are closer, while the Hoh Rainforest and coastal beaches take longer.

This makes it ideal for a 2–3 day weekend trip, especially if you want to explore more than one area without rushing.

Moss-covered forest with fallen trees and a small creek flowing through a dense woodland in the Pacific Northwest.
A quiet forest scene with moss-covered ground and a small creek running through the trees.

What to Do in Olympic National Park

Olympic National Park is best known for:

1) Hiking trails for all levels
2) Scenic biking routes
3) Rainforest walks
4) Coastal beaches and sunsets
5) RV-friendly road trips

Below are the places and trails I personally visited and recommend.

Turquoise river flowing through a forested area with mossy rocks, fallen logs, and evergreen trees in Washington State.
Clear turquoise water winding through a quiet forest in Washington State.

Explore These Destinations

Two travelers taking a selfie together in a wide open desert landscape during a road trip

Why I built this guide

I live in the Pacific Northwest and spend a lot of time exploring the areas around Seattle, especially places that can be reached in a few hours or less. I’m drawn to trips that don’t require long drives or packed itineraries — just good scenery, time outdoors, and space to slow down.

The places on this page aren’t recommendations pulled from a list. They’re destinations I’ve personally visited, camped at, hiked through, or spent real time exploring. I built this guide to share the kinds of weekend getaways I actually return to — places that feel like a reset, not a checklist.

If you’re looking for realistic trips, honest experiences, and ideas that work for both quick escapes and slower weekends, you’re in the right place.

Lake Crescent (First Stop You Should Make)

Why stop here:

1) Easy access
2) Multiple trail options
3) Works year-round

Best trails:

1) Marymere Falls – easy, family-friendly
2) Spruce Railroad – flat, great for biking
3) Storm King – steep, rewarding

Good to know:

1) Weather changes fast
2) Storm King is not beginner-friendly

Clear blue sky reflected on the calm waters of Lake Crescent, surrounded by forested mountains in Olympic National Park.
A bright, clear day at Lake Crescent, where forested mountains reflect perfectly on the still water.
View of Lake Crescent from the Storm King Trail with misty clouds, forested islands, and snow-covered rocks in Olympic National Park.
Looking down on Lake Crescent from the top of the Storm King Trail on a misty day.

Lake Crescent is usually the first major stop when entering the park, and it’s one of the best places to spend time. I did three hikes here, and this area works well for families, casual hikers, and more challenging hikes.

Lake Crescent Hiking Trails

1) Marymere Falls Trai
Distance: ~1.7 miles round tripl
Elevation gain: ~300 ft
Difficulty: Easy
Family-friendly: ✅
A short and well-maintained trail leading to a beautiful waterfall. Great for all ages.

2) Spruce Railroad Trail
Distance: Up to 8 miles
(out-and-back or partial)
Elevation gain: Minimal
Difficulty: Easy
Family-friendly: ✅
Perfect for walking or biking along the lake. Flat, scenic, and very relaxing.

3) Storm King Trail
Distance: ~4 miles round trip
Elevation gain: ~2,000 ft
Difficulty: Hard
Family-friendly: ❌
Short but steep. The view at the top is incredible, but expect ropes, narrow sections, and exposure.
⚠️ I slipped and hit my leg here — nothing serious, but it’s a reminder to be careful, especially in wet or icy conditions. Snow and ice are common in winter

Forks (Worth a Stop, Especially for Twilight Fans)

Why stop here:

Gateway town to the west side of Olympic National Park

Fun, quirky stop if you’re a Twilight fan

Good place to refuel, eat, and take a break from driving

What to do here:

Visit Twilight-themed shops and exhibits

Take a photo at the “Welcome to Forks” sign

Walk around town and stretch your legs

Good to know:

The Twilight movies were not filmed here

It’s a short stop, not a full destination

Best paired with La Push or nearby beaches

The City of Forks welcomes you sign standing beside a snowy road in Forks, Washington.
Arriving in Forks, Washington, on a cold winter day along the Olympic Peninsula.
Vintage pickup trucks parked in the snow in Forks, Washington, with rustic buildings in the background.
A snowy stop in Forks, Washington, surrounded by vintage trucks and small-town character.

Forks is a small gateway town on the western side of the park. If you’re a Twilight fan, you’ll probably want to stop — just know that the movies weren’t actually filmed here, so expectations should be realistic. Not a long stop, but worth walking around for a bit.
Still, it’s fun to walk around and check out:

1) Native To Twilight
2) Forever Twilight in Forks Collection
3) Twilight Tours in Forks
4) Bella’s truck & “Welcome to Forks” sign

La Push & Rialto Beach

Why stop here:

One of the most scenic coastal areas in Olympic National Park

Dramatic sea stacks, waves, and open beach views

Great contrast to forests and lakes elsewhere in the park

Best things to do:

Walk along Rialto Beach and enjoy the coastline

Watch sunset over the ocean (one of the best spots in the park)

Visit Hole-in-the-Wall at low tide

Good to know:

Water is cold and not ideal for swimming

Best visited around low tide for beach exploration

Weather can be windy and moody — bring layers

A person stands on a log at sunset overlooking sea stacks at Rialto Beach, Olympic National Park, Washington.
A snowy stop in Forks, Washington, surrounded by vintage trucks and small-town character.

After Forks, head toward La Push and Rialto Beach, one of the best sunset spots in the area. You can’t really swim here, but it’s perfect for photos and relaxing by the ocean.

Beaches & Trails

  • Rialto Beach – sunset, sea stacks, Hole-in-the-Wall
  • Third Beach Trail – leads to Third Beach, Scott Creek, Strawberry Point, and beyond

We hiked part of the Third Beach Trail to Strawberry Point. We didn’t complete the full trail (it’s long), but even the shorter section was beautiful.

Hoh Rainforest (Must-See Area)

Why stop here:

One of the best examples of a temperate rainforest in the U.S.

Moss-covered trees, quiet trails, and a completely different atmosphere

Feels like stepping into another world compared to the rest of the park

Best trails:

Hall of Mosses Trail – short, iconic, and very easy

Spruce Nature Trail – flat loop through forest and river views

Hoh River Trail – longer option if you want to go deeper into the rainforest

Good to know:

Parking fills very early — arrive before 8 AM

Extremely popular during summer months

Rain is common year-round, so expect muddy trails and wet conditions

Person standing among moss-covered trees and ferns in a forest near the Hoh Rain Forest in Olympic National Park.
Exploring the lush, moss-covered forests in the Hoh Rain Forest in Olympic National Park.

The Hoh Rainforest truly deserves its name. It receives around 140 inches of rain per year, making it one of the wettest places in the continental U.S.

Best Time to Visit

  • Best months: May–September
  • Best time of day: Early morning (7–8 AM) Parking fills fast, and crowds can make the experience frustrating if you arrive late.

Hoh Rainforest Trails I Did

1) Spruce Nature Trail

Distance: ~1.3 miles
Elevation gain: Minimal
Difficulty: Easy

2) Hall of Mosses Trail

Distance: ~0.8 miles
Elevation gain: Minimal
Difficulty: Easy

3) Hoh River Trail (Partial)
Even the shorter trails here are worth it you don’t need to hike far to enjoy the rainforest.

Distance: ~4 miles round trip (2 miles in)
Elevation gain: Minimal
Difficulty: Easy–Moderate

Entrance Fees

  • $30 per vehicle (valid for 7 days)
  • $25 per motorcycle
  • $15 per person (walk-in or bicycle)
  • $80 America the Beautiful Pass (annual, all national parks)

Coastal Beaches Worth Stopping At

Person standing on a wide Washington beach with reflections of clouds and blue sky on wet sand at low tide.
A quiet moment on the Washington coast as clouds reflect across the wet sand.

You don’t need to stop at all of these — pick one:
1) Ruby Beach
2) Kalaloch Beach
3) Ocean Shores Beach
4) Shi Shi Beach
5) Rialto Beach

Where to Stay (Hotels & RV Camping)

Class C RV parked on a grassy campsite surrounded by evergreen trees in a forest setting.
A quiet RV campsite tucked into the trees, surrounded by forest and fresh air.

Hotels I Stayed At

  • Wanderlust Inn (Ocean Shores) – self check-in, pet-friendly
  • Super 8 by Wyndham Port Angeles – okay, but had issues with pet room availability

Hotels near La Push and Forks were expensive, which is why we skipped them.

RV & Camping Spots I Used

  • 7 Cedars Casino RV Park – hookups, ~$20/night
  • Fairholme Campground – near Lake Crescent
  • Gatton Creek Campground – near Lake Quinault
  • Quinault Beach Resort & Casino – convenient coastal option

Final Thoughts

Kia Sorento parked on a wide sandy beach along the Washington coast with coastal cliffs and trees in the background.
Exploring the Washington coast with the beach stretching out in every direction.

Olympic National Park is one of the easiest places to recommend near Seattle. You can visit year-round, choose your pace, and always find something different to do. Whether you’re hiking, camping, road-tripping in an RV, or just exploring one area at a time, it’s a place that rewards slow travel.

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