South Shore Road – which is maintained by Jefferson County – is closed due to a major wash-out. For more information, visit the Jefferson County website.
Full details →+3 more active alerts
Expert Verdict & Insider Tips
Olympic National Park is three parks in one. In a single day, you can explore glacier-capped mountains, hike through a temperate rainforest covered in moss, and walk along wild Pacific coast beaches littered with giant driftwood. It's located on Washington's Olympic Peninsula and is known for its damp, moody weather. It's a vast park, and there are no roads going through the center, so you will need to drive around the perimeter to visit different sections.
About Olympic National Park
Olympic National Park is a national park located in Washington. Summers tend to be fair and warm, with high temperatures between 65 and 75 degrees F. July, August and September are the driest months, with heavier precipitation during the rest of the year. While winters are mild at lower elevation, snowfall can be heavy in the mountains. It is common for different weather conditions to exist within the park at the same time. At any time of year, visitors should come prepared for a variety of conditions.
You can reach Olympic National Park via the I-5 corridor or by any one of the quieter state roadways. Once you arrive on the Olympic Peninsula connect to Hwy 101 to reach any destinations in and around Olympic National Park. From Olympia: take I-5 to Hwy 101 From Tacoma: take State Route 16 to Bremerton; take State Route 3 north from Bremerton to State Route 104. From Washington/Oregon Coast connect to Hwy 101 in Aberdeen.
💰 Entrance Fees & Passes
The general entrance fee for Olympic starts at $15 (which commonly covers entry for a single private vehicle and passengers for up to 7 consecutive days). The park offers several fee options: Entrance - Private Vehicle ($30), Entrance - Motorcycle ($25), Entrance - Per Person ($15), Commercial Entrance - Van ($75), Commercial Entrance - Mini-bus ($100), Commercial Entrance - Motor Coach ($200). If you plan to visit multiple national parks this year, purchasing the America the Beautiful National Parks Annual Pass ($80) is highly cost-effective, as general entry to most parks will quickly offset the pass cost.
🥾 Things to Do
Olympic National Park offers visitors a diverse selection of outdoor experiences. You can participate in a wide array of activities, most notably Astronomy, Stargazing, Biking, Road Biking, and 50 other recreational activities, depending on the season and weather conditions. Path options exist for both casual strollers and expert backcountry adventurers.
📦 Recommended Gear & Packing Checklist
Custom items selected for activities at Olympic
📋 Visitor Planning Tips for Olympic
- →Beat the Crowds: Arrive at the main gates or trailheads of Olympic before 8:00 AM. Parking spaces at popular locations fill up extremely fast, especially during warm peak season weekends.
- →Monitor Active Alerts: There are currently 4 active alerts for Olympic. Keep an eye on the alert notifications at the top of this guide for crucial information regarding closures or safety issues.
- →Secure Campsites Early: Lodging and developed campgrounds within and surrounding Olympic get booked out months in advance. Make reservations on recreation.gov as early as the window opens.
- →Leave No Trace: Help protect the delicate ecosystems of Olympic. Stay on marked trails, pack out all of your waste, and keep a respectful distance from wildlife.
With its incredible range of precipitation and elevation, diversity is the hallmark of Olympic National Park. Encompassing nearly a million acres, the park protects a vast wilderness, thousands of years of human history, and several distinctly different ecosystems, including glacier-capped mountains, old-growth temperate rain forests, and over 70 miles of wild coastline. Come explore!
Seasonal Visitor Guides
Frequently Asked Questions about Olympic
About the Author
James R. Mitchell
Founder & Lead Writer — National Park Data
James has visited all 63 designated US national parks and has been writing about outdoor travel for over 12 years. He spent 8 years as a wilderness guide in the Rocky Mountains before founding National Park Data to help visitors plan better, safer, and more enjoyable park trips.
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