Located on Washington’s Olympic peninsula, Olympic National Park (NP) stands as a representation of all things pacific northwest (PNW). From towering Olympic Mountains to rugged and rocky coastlines, Olympic NP has outdoor attractions to entice all types of travelers.
I had the joy of visiting Olympic NP for the second time with a group of 4 friends and my finance, during the summer of 2022. Through extensive research and lived experience, these 5 activities have risen above the rest and should be your priority for the next time you choose Olympic NP for your adventure destination!
Quick Logistics
Before we begin, just a quick note on logistics. The town of Port Angeles is one of the most popular launch points for travelers visiting the park. From Port Angeles, the drive to the Hurricane Ridge Visitors center is only about 45 mins, and most of the driving occurs in the park. Later afternoon towards sunset makes a perfect time for Hurricane Ridge and the Hurricane Hill hike. We did this on our first day in the park after driving from SeaTac airport that morning. Secondly, the Marymere Falls and Mount Storm King hikes start from the same point and are easy to pair one after the other. Taking some time after your exertions to rest and picnic along Lake Crescent after these hikes makes for a perfect day. Lastly, the Hoh Rainforest and Rialto beach are a decent 2-2.5 hour drive from Port Angeles. We did both back to back and it made for a memorable full day. Just note that road construction during the summer months is commonplace. I would also recommend trying to arrive at the Hoh rainforest as early in the morning as you can. The traffic later in the day can be intense and we were stuck waiting at the gate for well over an hour. Now, let’s begin!
5. Marymere Falls
This family friendly hike starts from the Storm King Ranger Station alongside a stunning view of Lake Crescent. The hike is a relatively flat well trodden dirt path winding 1 mile one way through dense, mossy, old growth forests. After passing the turn off for the Storm King Trail, hikers will cross two wooden bridges and be greeted with a gentle ascent alongside a shallow ravine. Towards the end of the trail near the waterfall, there are some steps leading in a one way loop for viewing the falls. The waterfall is impressive, 90 feet tall, and well worth the short hike. Note that this is a very popular trail and starting earlier in the day can help ensure less crowds at the viewing platform. We went after hiking Storm King and the trail was quite crowded. Note that prior to or following your hike, I recommend at least walking down to the dock on Lake Crescent for awesome views of the tranquil water and surrounding mountains. There is an area for swimming here as well!
4. Hoh Rainforest
The Hoh Rainforest is like something from a fairytale. Flourishing fungi and mosses blanket the forest floor, climbing the trunks and boughs of towering sitka spruce hundreds of feet tall. As noted, this part of Olympic NP is popular for good reason. Particularly during the busy summer months, I’d recommend arriving early to avoid the traffic and delays often seen later in the day.
Start your day at the visitor’s center for information on local conservation and the history of the Hoh Rainforest. Here I learned that the largest herd of unmanaged Roosevelt Elk in the PNW actually lives in the rainforest. The two main trails of the Hoh begin just beside the visitors center. Free guided hikes are also available, so look ahead if this interests you. We started with the famed “Hall of Mosses” and then immediately continued on to the “Spruce Trail.” Both trails are flat, family friendly, and are approximately 1 mile loops.
The Hall of Mosses begins with a bridge crossing of a crystal clear stream before delving into a dense and enchanting forest of greenery. We stopped at countless points for photos and to simply gauk at the prehistoric panoramic wonders around us. The Spruce Trail is just slightly longer than the Hall of Mosses and we completed this second. The hike was equally as enjoyable with fascinating “nurse log” formations (several trees all growing in a line using the nutrients of a decaying and fallen tree trunk), an interesting root structure to climb, and access to the Hoh River running adjacent to the forest. The peaceful river bank offers a perfect picnic spot before finishing your hike and leaving the forest.
3. Rialto Beach
Located a little over 1 hour west of the Hoh Rainforest sits Rialto Beach. Known for iconic sea stacks (offshore islands), crashing waves, and enormous driftwood logs, Rialto is a must do when visiting Olympic NP. Note that this beach is not known for swimming. You can and we did, just know that the water was still incredibly cold in August and you will hate your life if you go in.
All joking aside, the main attraction of Rialto Beach is the approximately 1.5 mile one way hike to “Hole in the Wall.” This hike culminates in tide pools and a picturesque hole in a rocky wall marking the northern end of the beach. IMPORTANT. Hole in the wall is only accessible at low tide. We did not time this well and missed our chance at walking through. Information on the tides at Rialto Beach can be found here. Also remember that walking on sand and small smooth stones will take much longer than anticipated, so factor this into your day, especially with children.
Although no signage exists, there is an overgrown path to reach the top of the hole in the wall rock formation. This was a must do for us and provided some of the most memorable photos of our trip. After a quick dip in the Pacific, feel free to make a driftwood fire to warm up. Consider bringing some newspaper, a small firestarter, and a lighter. The beach is often coated in mist and rain and we found it more challenging to start a fire than anticipated. Note that the park permits fires but only using driftwood along the beach and not from the adjacent forest. You can camp on the beach with a permit as well.
Consider some fun but reckless “driftwood parkour” at your own risk. It was a fun way to break up the sandy walk. As far as wildlife goes, we saw countless sea lions playing in the surf, a large dead stingray, droves of pelicans, and even a herd of elk on our drive in!
2. Hurricane Ridge with Hurricane Hill Hike
Hurricane Ridge is perhaps the most iconic feature of Olympic NP. Arriving at the Hurricane Ridge Visitors Center is a journey unto itself. A steep drive up into the mountains rewards visitors with stunning views of the adjacent Olympic Mountains and valleys below. There are several scenic pull off points on the drive up, but I’d recommend you save your viewing for the top.
There is a large parking lot at Hurricane Ridge and a spacious viewing area to take in some of the most stunning views of the park. The ridge provides access to a variety of hiking trails as well.
As far as hiking goes, I’d recommend the Hurricane Hill trail. The trailhead of this 1.6 mile one way hike is a 5 minute drive past the Hurricane Ridge Visitors Center. Reaching the top of Hurricane Hill involves a gradual ascent along a paved walking path. Summer months are characterized by wildflowers, typically more dry mild weather, and mosquitos! Make sure to bring light clothing to cover your arms and legs and/or bug spray to keep these little beasts at bay.
Views from the peak are impressive. Rolling grassy hills provide a fascinating foreground to the snow capped peaks and deep valleys in the distance. We found a large patch of snow on the summit, even in August, and were lucky enough to see a black bear swimming in a subalpine lake below us as well.
1. Mount Storm King
Mount Storm King is the epitome of adventure and my number 1 top activity in Olympic NP. This is a somewhat grueling ascent gaining 2,106 ft over the course of 4.1 miles roundtrip trail. The hike begins from the Storm King Ranger Station along Crescent Lake and pairs well with Marymere Falls. The bulk of the hike involves steep switchbacks but offers numerous scenic vistas to stop and recharge.
The hike is broken into two parts, the maintained and unmaintained portion of the trail. The majority of the trail is steep, wooded, and maintained by the park. This section is not scary but requires fitness. The unmaintained trail starts near the very top and is a bit more precarious. A series of ropes, seemingly tied to trees and logs by good samaritans, assists hikers in their ascent of the unmaintained trail. The dry dirt is slick and pulling on the ropes is necessary for most. Just before the summit, the trail turns into a jagged rock formation with steep slopes on either side. We walked with one hand down on the rocks at certain points for stability on this section.
Filled with adrenaline and covered in dust, hikers who summit Storm King are rewarded with some of the best views in the park. We sat back, had a snack, and enjoyed sweeping views of Lake Crescent and the adjacent mountains. The birds at the summit are allegedly known to fly onto an outstretched hand for a snack as well but I would not recommend this. Keep wild places wild.
Overall, Storm King was an awesome hike with an adrenaline filled peak and phenomenal summit views. I would certainly go again should the opportunity arise. However, I would say that if you are not prepared to make the summit push (some people turn back at the start of the unmaintained part of the trail), you would likely find better hikes elsewhere in the park near Hurricane Ridge.
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