Olympic National Park
Glacier-topped peaks, a rainforest that gets more than 12 feet of rain a year, and wild Pacific beaches in one Washington park.
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Olympic National Park covers much of the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State, and it had more than 3.7 million visitors in 2024. The park has three regions: the Pacific coast, the mountains of the center, and a temperate rainforest on the wet west side, with drier forests on the east side. Mount Olympus, the highest peak in the Olympic Mountains, rises to 7,965 feet (2,428 m) and has the range's largest glaciers, including the Hoh Glacier. The park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and International Biosphere Reserve.
Popular stops include the Hoh Rainforest, the Pacific beaches and the main viewpoint at Hurricane Ridge. Roads run around the edge of the park, but few go far inside, so reaching the high country usually takes more than a weekend on foot. Expect Roosevelt elk, black bears and black-tailed deer. July, August and September often have long dry spells, while the rainforest can be rainy at other times of year, so pack rain gear.
Olympic National Park in five
- Pay by card and skip the $100 surchargeOlympic charges $30 per private vehicle, $25 per motorcycle or $15 per person on foot or bike, valid seven days. The park does not accept cash, and it is not one of the 11 parks with the $100 non-resident fee.NPS fees and passes
- Base on the north side or near ForksThe NPS suggests Port Angeles or Lake Crescent as a base for Hurricane Ridge and Sol Duc, and the Forks area for the Hoh Rain Forest and coastal tide pools. The two sides are far apart, so choose one first.
- Ride the summer shuttle to Hurricane RidgeThe NPS lists Clallam Transit shuttles from Port Angeles to Hurricane Ridge from May until September 1, first leaving at 8 AM and the last leaving the ridge at 5:30 PM. Check Clallam Transit for the current schedule.Clallam Transit
- Check road conditions from October to MaySome roads, campgrounds and visitor facilities close or cut hours between October and May, and Hurricane Ridge Road and visitor centers close on Thanksgiving and Christmas. The park runs a road and weather recording.NPS hours and seasons
- Come by ferry from Seattle or VictoriaWashington State Ferries reach the peninsula at Kingston, Bainbridge Island and Port Townsend, and the Coho ferry links Victoria, British Columbia with Port Angeles. A ferry day is part of the trip, not a delay.Getting around the USA
Things to do in Olympic National Park
See all attractions in Olympic National Park
Need to know
- Entrance
- $30 per vehicle, $15 on foot or bike, 7 days; no $100 non-resident fee Read more
- Permits
- None for day use; wilderness overnight use has extra fees
- Season
- Open 24 hours year-round; busiest June to September; some roads seasonal
- Nearest town
- Port Angeles for the ridge; Forks for the Hoh and coast
- Getting there
- Sea-Tac plus ferry or I-5 and US-101; Coho ferry from Victoria
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuarySnow20 rainy days12 snowy daysHigh2°Low-3°Wet, quietJanuarySnow
Poor
- High
- 2°
- Low
- -3°
- Precipitation
- 425 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 12
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, quiet
- FebruarySnow19 rainy days12 snowy daysHigh1°Low-5°Wet, quietFebruarySnow
Poor
- High
- 1°
- Low
- -5°
- Precipitation
- 265 mm
- Rainy days
- 19
- Snowy days
- 12
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, quiet
- MarchSnow20 rainy days13 snowy daysHigh3°Low-3°Wet, snow on ridgeMarchSnow
Poor
- High
- 3°
- Low
- -3°
- Precipitation
- 263 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 13
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, snow on ridge
- AprilSnow18 rainy days8 snowy daysHigh5°Low-1°Showers, quietAprilSnow
Poor
- High
- 5°
- Low
- -1°
- Precipitation
- 193 mm
- Rainy days
- 18
- Snowy days
- 8
- Days with storms
- 0
Showers, quiet
- MayRain14 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh11°Low2°Spring, rain forestMayRain
Mixed
- High
- 11°
- Low
- 2°
- Precipitation
- 92 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 2
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring, rain forest
- JuneRain12 rainy daysHigh14°Low5°Mild, wildflowersJuneRain
Good
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 83 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, wildflowers
- JulyPartly cloudy6 rainy daysHigh18°Low9°Dry, busyJulyPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 32 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, busy
- AugustClear7 rainy daysHigh19°Low10°Driest, busyAugustClear
Best
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 65 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Driest, busy
- SeptemberRain12 rainy daysHigh15°Low7°Clear spellsSeptemberRain
Good
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 154 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Clear spells
- OctoberRain17 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh9°Low3°Fall rainOctoberRain
Poor
- High
- 9°
- Low
- 3°
- Precipitation
- 349 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 2
- Days with storms
- 0
Fall rain
- NovemberSnow20 rainy days9 snowy daysHigh4°Low-1°Wet, stormsNovemberSnow
Poor
- High
- 4°
- Low
- -1°
- Precipitation
- 520 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 9
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, storms
- DecemberSnow21 rainy days15 snowy daysHigh2°Low-3°Wet, quietDecemberSnow
Poor
- High
- 2°
- Low
- -3°
- Precipitation
- 596 mm
- Rainy days
- 21
- Snowy days
- 15
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, quiet
Average daily high and low in Port Angeles, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Olympic National Park
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
2
- Feels like
- -3°
- Humidity
- 20%
- Wind
- 14 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 28%
Olympic National Park
12:36 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today3°0°28%Monday: Cloudy. High 3°, Low 0°. Chance of rain 28%.
- Tue7°2°45%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 7°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 45%.
- Wed7°2°96%Wednesday: Rain. High 7°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 96%.
- Thu6°0°76%Thursday: Cloudy. High 6°, Low 0°. Chance of rain 76%.
- Fri4°1°86%Friday: Snow. High 4°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 86%.
- Sat11°3°75%Saturday: Rain. High 11°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 75%.
- Sun6°0°75%Sunday: Rain. High 6°, Low 0°. Chance of rain 75%.
Updated 08:43 AM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 EUR = 1.116 USD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
What's on in Olympic National Park
Concerts, festivals and big events in and around the city
Events calendarEvery year
- Aug–SepBumbershootSeattle, a day trip
Before you go to Olympic National Park
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Rules for Olympic National Park, checked
- Entry is $30 per private vehicle (7 days), $25 per motorcycle, or $15 per person (16+) on foot or bike. Olympic does not accept cash.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
- Olympic is open 24 hours year-round; some roads and facilities are seasonal, and Hurricane Ridge Road and visitor centers close on Thanksgiving and Christmas.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
- Olympic is not on the NPS list of 11 parks that charge non-US residents the extra $100 fee.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
Plan around Olympic National Park
Which parks charge the $100 surcharge
Read the guideGetting around the USARental cars, ferries and fly-drive plans for the peninsula
Read the guideNorthern Oregon CoastCross the Columbia and drive US-101 south
Read the guideOregon CoastKeep going south on US-101
Read the guideeSIM for the USAData before the rain forest and canyon roads
Read the guideSeattleThe ferry gateway to the Olympic Peninsula
Read the guideAll of the USAStates, parks and cities in one planning hub
Read the guideOlympic National Park FAQ
Does Olympic National Park charge the $100 non-resident fee?
No. The NPS applies the $100 fee at 11 of the most visited parks, and Olympic is not one of them. Non-US residents pay the standard entrance fee unless they hold an annual or America the Beautiful pass.
How many days do you need at Olympic National Park?
Three days covers Hurricane Ridge, the Hoh Rain Forest and a beach, with driving between them. Two days works if you stay on one side. Four or five days adds Sol Duc, Lake Crescent and a second stretch of coast.
Which is better, Hurricane Ridge or the Hoh Rain Forest?
Hurricane Ridge for mountain views and wildflower meadows in summer, the Hoh for moss-draped forest that works in any weather. They are on different sides of the park, so pick by the weather and your base.
Do you need a car at Olympic National Park?
Yes for most trips. The park is large and its main areas are connected by US-101. The NPS lists a seasonal shuttle to Hurricane Ridge and Clallam Transit buses on the north side, but a rental car is the practical choice.
When is the best time to visit Olympic National Park?
July to September is the driest and has the most open roads and facilities. May and June are quieter and green, while winter is wet with limited access to higher areas.