The Essential Guide to Olympic National Park

Looking across Puget Sound on a clear day is a great way to enjoy the view. SeattleThe Olympic Mountains, the towering heart of Washington State, are visible in the distance. These distant summits are actually the Olympic Mountains. Olympic National Park.

Olympic National Park, which covers nearly a half-million acres of Washington’s Olympic Peninsula is, it goes without saying, a spectacular place. The following are some examples of the best way to get in touch with each other:. Along with sheer size, the park—which was first designated a national monument in 1909 before becoming a national park in 1938—is home to a diverse set of ecosystems: glaciated mountains, a rugged Pacific coastline, alpine meadows, and one of North America’s few remaining temperate rainforests.

But along with all the traditional hallmarks of a national park visit—hiking, backpacking, climbing, kayaking, wildlife-watching—people are drawn to Olympic because it’s one of the quietest places in the country. In the Hoh Rainforest, there is a place known as the “One Square Inch of Silence” Identified by nonprofit Quiet Parks International As the quietest place on the continent of the United States. Olympic’s lack of roads and overflight paths means that it is free from noise pollution.

Matt Mikkelsen says that many people visit Olympic to find peace and quiet. Wilderness Quiet Parks Quiet Parks International (which is part) He recorded audio and video for the organization while he was at Olympic. “It’s not a resource we talk about enough … silence is an indicator of the overall health of an ecosystem.”

You should consider the following before you plan a visit to Olympic National Park.

How to Get There

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, SEA is the closest airport to the Olympic Peninsula. From the Seattle area, you can drive south around Puget Sound via I-5 to reach the park—a roughly three-hour journey—but nothing beats traveling by ferry. Take a ferry to Washington State car-friendly ferries Follow state highways to Highway 101 and then across Elliot Bay. It takes about the same time to travel by ferry-car, but it is a much more scenic route, and you may even see whales. You can also fly into Victoria International Airport on Canada’s Vancouver Island and take the ferry. Black Ball Ferry Line Port Angeles.

How to Get Around

Olympic National Park, which covers almost 1 million acres, is huge, and a vehicle is necessary. You’ll need to use Highway 101 to travel around the park. It connects to smaller roads that lead to campgrounds, trailheads and accommodations. Renting a car is best done at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, or in Peninsula towns such as Port Angeles. The Clallam Transit System There are some regional bus routes that offer a seasonal shuttle to Hurricane Ridge.

When To Visit

Olympic National Park has the best weather from June to August. There is less rain, warmer temperatures, and longer summer days. It’s also the most crowded time in the park, so plan ahead and book your hotels and campgrounds. You can visit popular areas like the Hoh rain forest early in the morning or late in the afternoon to find parking and less crowds.

Olympic is open throughout the year, including the spring wildflowers in May and the whale watching on the coast. The salmon run can be seen in September and in October. Although some roads, lodgings, and campsites will be closed, other areas such as Hurricane Ridge are still open. snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. You should avoid elk if you are visiting in September or October due to their aggressive behavior.

The Best Places To Stay

Olympic National Park offers lodgings both inside and outside of its boundaries. 14 campgrounds The park is scattered with a number of campsites. Type of camping (primitive versus RV-permitted), facilities, seasonal openings, and the number of sites vary by campground—reservations are required at some of the most popular ones like the Hoh Rain Forest Campground.

Kalaloch Lodge

Built in 1953, the historic Kalaloch Lodge It is situated between the forest, the sea and Olympic’s southern oceanfront strand. The lodge is open year-round and offers a variety of accommodations, including the rustic main building, the Seacrest House on its own, or the private shoreline chalets. After walking along the blustery beach to stand in front of the Tree of Life Retire to a fire-warmed room with Pacific views. Plan accordingly as not all units offer ocean views.

Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort

The remote village of Sol Duc Falls is located in a valley at the northern end of the park. Sol Duc Hot Springs ResortIts three mineral hot springs make it a popular destination for those who want to relax after hiking. It is open from March until November. Cabins and rooms have a simple, but comfortable, decor. A convenience store, restaurant and gift shop are also on-site.

Lake Quinault Lodge

This “Parkitecture-style” lodge, located at the southern end Olympic, was designed by the same architect who created Yellowstone’s Old Faithful Inn. It features a swimming-pool, sauna and a lake-view restaurant that Theodore Roosevelt used to frequent. The Quinault Rainforest surrounds the lodge. Lake Quinault LodgeThe cozy, contemporary rooms at’s have views of the lake or woods as well as amenities such a fireplaces, balconies and terraces. 

What to Do in Best Things to See

Leave No Trace principles are important to follow when visiting parks such as Olympic. This includes staying on trails, and removing trash from the park. As always, pay attention to the safety guidelines provided by park rangers.

Sit quietly in the Hoh Rainforest.

The biggest temperate rainforests The Hoh Rain Forest in the United States is worth a visit just for the trails, such as the Hall of Mosses Trail and Hoh River Trail. These wind through peaceful glens of tree that are positively dripping in moss. Mikkelsen also recommends that you sit for a while in this quietest spot recorded in America. “Feel the presence of the quiet … it’s a really profound experience, some people have very emotional reactions,” he says.

Rialto beach and Hurricane Ridge: From sea to sky

Olympic National Park has 73 miles coastline. Rialto Beach This stretch is amazing with its gigantic sea stacks, roaring ocean, and driftwood-strewn beach. While you stroll along the shore, keep an eye out for sea lions or otters and bald-eagles. Drive up to Hurricane RidgeMountain is the easiest to reach in the Park. It offers the best view of the Olympics, and you can hike through the alpine meadows with their marmots.

Get into the water.

Olympic receives between 100 and 170 inches of rainfall a year. Water is a major part of life. You can swim, kayak, or sail at Crescent Lake or Ozette Lake. Olympic Peninsula Waterfall Trail You can visit the Sol Duc Waterfalls, or the Valley of 10,000 Waterfalls.

Keep an eye out for wildlife.

Be on the lookout for native wildlife such as Roosevelt elks, marmots orcas gray whales humpbacks dolphins sea lions and bald Eagles in the forests and beaches. Always keep a safe distance and never approach wildlife—for your safety and theirs.

Explore the Olympic Peninsula.

Between hikes, spend some time exploring the rest the peninsula offers, including standing on the northernmost tip of the United States. Take a ride along the peninsula-spanning route. Olympic Discovery TrailShop for local artwork in small, funky towns such as Port Angeles, Washington, or Sequim. Twilight The real Forks town, La Push Beach and other locations used to film the fantasy series can be explored by fans.

Nightlife

95 percent Olympic National Park is protected. designated wilderness areaThe minimal light pollution allows for crystal clear stargazing. If the skies are clear during summer, you can go to places like Hurricane Ridge and enjoy amateur stargazing. Olympic Telescope The city offers free public programs all summer long, including telescope viewings.

Best Restaurants

Salmon House Restaurant

Salmon is one of the stars of the Olympic Peninsula’s culinary scene. Salmon House Restaurant Lake Quinault is a great place to enjoy it in a variety of ways. From smoked fillets to baked ones with butter, there are many options.  Not a fish fan? There are plenty of other options, including burgers or steak, pasta and local mushrooms. You can also enjoy the dining room view of Lake Quinault.

Salty Girls Seafood

Seen from the park, in nearby Sequim Salty Girls It’s a seafood lover’s dream. Enjoy a flight of oysters from local sources and stay warm on rainy days by enjoying a chowder or smoked salmon grilled-cheese sandwich. You can find Dungeness Crab on the menu if you come between late autumn and summer.

Granny’s Cafe

After a long day on the lake, nothing beats a simple comfort meal at a diner. It’s just up the road from Crescent Lake. Granny’s Cafe It serves classic diner food like burgers. milkshakes. and fish and chip. It’s a Peninsula staple.