Road Trips for Nature Lovers: A Visitor’s Guide to Olympic National Park
America’s National Parks are on many people’s travel-related bucket lists — and for good reason. They boast breathtaking views, geographical wonders, and diverse ecosystems to delight any nature lover’s senses and spirit. Here’s a brief overview of what you should know and where you should go when visiting Olympic National Park in Washington.
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Best months to visit
Photo: Pixabay
Plan your visit for July or August to catch the park during its warmest and driest season when most of its roads and facilities are open. If you visit from October through May, make sure to check the park’s website for any road or facility closures, as well as reduced hours for visiting.
And keep in mind that June through September is the park’s busiest time of the year, so make sure to visit earlier in the day rather than later if you prefer a more peaceful hiking experience and fewer encounters with other tourists.
Drivable roads
Because the park sprawls over nearly 1 million acres, a car is the best way to travel from one hiking area to the next. Interstate 5 to Highway 101 is one of the main routes to take to get to the park. Make sure to check current road conditions on the NPS website to be aware of any road closures and detours due to weather.
Parking pass
Makes sure to bring some cash to pay for the $30 vehicle pass you’ll need, or visit yourpassnow.com to purchase an electronic pass. Each pass is valid for seven consecutive days since many visitors find they need more than a day or two to see all they want to in the park.
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Navigation tips
Photo: Francesco Paggiaro
Be aware that cell reception is spotty within Olympic National Park due to its remote wilderness setting, so cell phones and GPS tools will be unreliable. It’s a good idea to bring hard-copy maps with you when driving to and within the park. The NPS has a park map and several area-specific maps on its website worth downloading and printing off. There are also public telephones available for use in the Hoh River Rain Forest Visitor Center, the Olympic National Park Visitor Center, and the Fairholme General Store.
Where to go
Photo: Adbar via Wikimedia Commons
Some of the park’s most popular locations are the Hoh Rain Forest, Hurricane Ridge, Lake Crescent, Sol Duc Valley, and Staircase. If you’re into photography and the fantastical, you should start your adventure with Hoh Rain Forest. Due to its rainforest climate, much of this area is characterized by dense ferns and mosses as well as prehistoric-sized Douglas fir, Sitka spruce, western hemlock, and western red cedar trees.
Where to eat
Due to the park’s immense size, it’s wise to pack water, snacks, and some sandwiches ahead of time. Though, you can also grab some food at the Creekside Restaurant located at Kalaloch Lodge inside the park, and grab snacks and drinks at The Kalaloch Mercantile next to the lodge.
Wildlife to look out for
Many animals call Olympic National Park home. Keep your eyes peeled for mountain goats, deer, bears, and cougars when hiking the trails. Birdwatchers can expect to see a variety of birds from woodpeckers and wrens to Golden-crowned Kinglets and hummingbirds.
Whitney Russell resides in Dayton, though her spirit can be found beach-bumming in Puerto Rico (the land of her half-Puerto Rican heritage). When not crafting car-related content, she can be found chasing after the most amazing toddler in the world, watching her “beaver” of a husband build amazing woodworking projects, hanging out with two crazy dogs, and visiting family and friends. She also enjoys traveling, crafting, and binge-watching period dramas when time allows. See more articles by Whitney.