Olympic National Park

Travel Tips
Olympic National Park, Washington (Purestock/Getty) (John Clet Jones, Greater West Images)
Olympic National Park

Established: 1938
Acreage: 922,651
Average Yearly Visitors: 3,654,000
Location: Northwest Washington, on the Olympic Peninsula west of Seattle

Contact Details
Olympic National Park
600 East Park Avenue
Port Angeles, WA 98362
Phone (Visitor Center): 360-565-3130

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  • The park is located in the northwestern corner of Washington state and contains almost 900,000 acres of wilderness. The terrain includes ocean shores, Pacific temperate rainforest, alpine glaciers, and 600 miles of trail providing access to the park.
  • Many of the trails within the glorious Olympic National Park are suitable for horseback riding, but Wilderness Camping Permits are required for all overnight trips, and some areas require reservations.
  • Anglers fishing for trout within park boundaries do not need a license to catch and release. You'll need a Washington State fishing license to fish outside of park boundaries and a state punch card to fish for salmon or steelhead.
  • The National Park Service operates 16 campgrounds with a total of 910 sites. All are first come, first served, and some are open year-round. Backcountry camping permits are available at all ranger stations for wilderness or beach camping.

By Travel Expert: Jeremy Pataky

  • For a relaxing and easy exploration of the Hoh Rainforest, take either of the two short trails that start near the visitor center. Both the Hall of Mosses Trail, an 0.8-mile loop trail, and the Spruce Nature Trail, a 1.2-mile loop trail, are wonderful introductions to the lush forests.
  • For a fun jaunt along the coast, take an easy walk along the Ozette Coastal Loop. Following an elevated boardwalk trail, you will see coastal forest and the beach. The best season for this trail is April through October.
  • If the coast is your favorite spot in the park, head to Rialto Beach where you can walk along a rocky beach, watch waves crash onto offshore islands, and perhaps spot a bald eagle.
By Travel Expert: Karen Kefauver


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