Olympic National Park
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!
Alerts
- ClosureNPS ↗Highway 101 Overnight Closures at Hoh River Bridge, October 13-19
These overnight Highway 101 closures cuts off the only direct route between some of the most popular areas of the park. There are no detours available. Taking alternate routes around the east side of the Olympic Peninsula will add at least four hours to travel times.
- ClosureNPS ↗Bat Tests Positive for Rabies, Visitors Urged to Report Potential Contact
A rabid bat was found at Olympic National Park near Staircase Bridge on August 9th. At approximately 2 p.m., the bat swooped down onto an unidentified woman and was temporarily caught in her hair. This individual is at risk for rabies and should seek healthcare immediately, as well as contact the Mason County Health Department at 360-427-9670, ext. 405. More at the link.
- ClosureMora Road Closed for Essential Repairs
Mora Road is closed to all traffic, including bicycles and pedestrians, at the campground. Rialto Beach is not accessible via Mora Road during this construction period. Mora Campground is open. This construction work will repair damage from a severe winter flood event, fortify the road against river migration, and protect long-term access to Rialto Beach.
- CautionNPS ↗Staircase Developed Area is Open, Use Caution in Burned Areas
The Staircase developed area is open. The surrounding wilderness areas will remain closed as repair and recovery efforts continue. Use extreme caution when entering burned areas. Burned landscapes may contain falling trees and branches, loose boulders, unstable ground, stump holes, landslides, and debris flows. Changing conditions such as wind, rain, or storms can rapidly trigger hazards.
Fees & passes
| Type | Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Private VehicleValid for seven consecutive days. Applies to private, non-commercial vehicles (15 passenger capacity or less). The pass covers all vehicle occupants. | $30 | |
| MotorcycleValid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers. | $25 | |
| Per PersonValid for seven consecutive days. This fee admits one person without a vehicle, including hikers, bicyclists, and pedestrians. Individuals fifteen years or younger are admitted free of charge. | $15 | |
| Commercial tours · by vehicle capacity | ||
| VanA commercial tour is defined as persons traveling on an itinerary that has been packaged, priced or sold for leisure recreational purposes by an organization that realizes financial gain through the provisions of the service. | $75 | |
| Mini-busA commercial tour is defined as persons traveling on an itinerary that has been packaged, priced or sold for leisure recreational purposes by an organization that realizes financial gain through the provisions of the service. | $100 | |
| Motor CoachA commercial tour is defined as persons traveling on an itinerary that has been packaged, priced or sold for leisure recreational purposes by an organization that realizes financial gain through the provisions of the service. | $200 | |
| Passes | ||
| Annual Entrance - ParkThe Olympic National Park Annual Pass costs $55 and is good for entry into the park for one year from the month of purchase. Passes can be purchased at Olympic National Park visitor centers and entrance stations. | $55 | |
Hours
| Olympic National Park | Daily · All Day |
When to go
August draws the most visits here and January the fewest, averaged over 2021 to 2025.
Campgrounds
| Kalaloch Campround | 168 sites | |
| $24 a night · Open year round. | ||
| Queets Campground ↗ | 20 sites | |
| $15 a night · Open year round. · 20 first-come | ||
| Ozette Campground ↗ | 15 sites | |
| $20 a night · CURRENTLY CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING Ozette Campground is open year round. However, flooding from the lake can occur in the winter and cause the closure of some… · 15 first-come | ||
| Mora Campground | 93 sites | |
| $24 a night · Open year round. | ||
| North Fork Campground ↗ | 9 sites | |
| $20 a night · Open year round. · 9 first-come | ||
Show all 12 campgroundsHide
| South Beach Campground ↗ | 55 sites | |
| $15 a night · Closed Sep 28 to May 20 · 55 first-come | ||
| Staircase Campground | 49 sites | |
| $20 a night · Open seasonally. Staircase Campground will have no flush toilets or potable water available approximately October 15 as it becomes winterized. · 49 reservable | ||
| Graves Creek Campground ↗ | 30 sites | |
| $20 a night · Located in the Quinault Rain Forest, relax near a serene stream at Graves Creek Campground. Open year round. · 30 first-come | ||
| Hoh Campground | 89 sites | |
| $24 a night | ||
| Heart O' the Hills Campground ↗ | 97 sites | |
| $24 a night · Open year round. Walk-in only during periods of heavy snowfall. Check campground status before your visit… · 97 first-come | ||
| Fairholme Campground | 84 sites | |
| $24 a night · Closed Sep 28 to Apr 22 | ||
| Deer Park Campground | 14 sites | |
| $15 a night · Open June to mid-October, season dependent on road conditions and snow melt. · 14 first-come | ||
Every campground here has its own page on Campsite Atlas, with site counts, hookups, rig limits and booking windows. All of them on one page → How park camping works
Visitor centers
- Hoh Rain Forest Visitor Center ↗Passport stamp
Located in the Hoh Rain Forest. The visitor center is open daily during the summer and intermittently during the winter. Educational exhibits and informational brochures available.
- Kalaloch Ranger Station ↗Passport stamp
CLOSED for the year. See you in 2027! Kalaloch Ranger Station is open daily during the summer and closed the rest of the year. Educational exhibits, informational brochures, a small sales area, and restrooms are available.
- Olympic National Park Visitor Center ↗Passport stamp
This is the main Visitor Center and Wilderness Information Center for Olympic National Park. Park staff are available daily at the visitor center, and by phone (360-565-3130) or email. Restrooms are available during the day.
- Quinault Rain Forest Ranger Station ↗Passport stamp
CLOSED for the year. See you in 2027! Quinault Rain Forest Ranger Station is open Thursdays-Mondays during the summer and closed during the rest of the year. Educational exhibits and informational brochures available.
- Hurricane Ridge Visitor Contact StationPassport stamp
While the historic Hurricane Ridge Day Lodge was destroyed in a fire, the small but mighty Visitor Contact Station is here to help! While rangers are present to answer questions during open hours in summer, please be aware there is no indoor space for visitors or running water available.
Explore
Things to do
- Walk the Moments in Time Trail15-30 Minutes
Take a peaceful stroll at Barnes Point on Lake Crescent on the Moments in Time Trail.
Opens on the Park Service site - Hurricane Ridge Shuttle1-2 Hours
Skip the stress and help the environment by taking a Clallam Transit bus to Hurricane Ridge! This summer season bus transports park visitors directly from downtown Port Angeles, Washington, to one of Olympic National Park's most scenic destinations.
Opens on the Park Service site - Watch for Salmon at Salmon Cascades15-45 Minutes
In the late summer and early fall, salmon can be seen leaping from Salmon Cascades on the Sol Duc River! Get a glimpse on a viewing platform located above the cascades.
Opens on the Park Service site - Observe Animals at Olympic National Park
In the park, we humans are privileged to be visitors to wild animals' home. We can treat their home with respect and care.
Opens on the Park Service site - Take a Short Hike Near the Visitor Center15-30 Minutes
Near the Olympic National Park Visitor Center, two short loop hikes take visitors through peaceful, green lowland forests.
Opens on the Park Service site - See Madison Falls5-15 Minutes
Madison Falls is a stunning 60-foot waterfall near the Elwha River. It's also one of the most accessible destinations at the park, making it a great stop for families and visitors of all abilities.
Opens on the Park Service site
Show all 11Hide
- Backpack in Olympic National Park
While this app is a great tool for "front country" visits (places you can get to with a car, bike, or short hike), it's not meant to guide you through the back country. For that we have the Wilderness Information Center - WIC for short.
Opens on the Park Service site - Go to the Beach
A trip to the Olympic Coast is sure to be memorable! Olympic National Park contains several beach areas along the coast, each with something to offer. Learn more about popular beaches and start planning your trip!
Opens on the Park Service site - Take a Pet-Friendly Hike
Pets: they’re our faithful friends and loyal companions. But at Olympic National Park, they aren’t allowed everywhere! You can still have a great time at Olympic with pets, but be sure to read carefully and follow the rules so you know what to do…
Opens on the Park Service site - Play in the Snow in the Olympic Mountains
Hurricane Ridge provides opportunities for snowshoeing, cross-country and downhill skiing, snowboarding, tubing and more. Hurricane Ridge's winter season is generally mid-December through the end of March.
Opens on the Park Service site - Tidepooling on the Olympic Coast30-180 Minutes
There are special places that allow you to see sea creatures up close without leaving the beach! Tidepools are home to fascinating creatures like sea stars, anemones, barnacles, nudibranchs, crabs, and more.
Opens on the Park Service site
Films
National Park Service productions, public domain.
Webcams
Camera images load live from the National Park Service and partner agencies
Events
- 05:00 PM · freeCome see us at Webster's Woods, alongside the Port Angeles Fine Arts Center gallery located at 1203 E.
News
- Missing Person Neil Gehring Recovered in Olympic National Park ↗2026-09-16
Search and rescue teams recovered the body of Neil Gehring from the northwest slope of Mt. Appleton on Sunday evening. Searchers located Gehring after receiving and analyzing additional cell phone location data.
- Investigators Continue to Seek Tips in Search for Missing Person Neil Gehring ↗2026-09-11
The search for Neil Gehring in Olympic National Park will continue as tactics shift. The investigation into this incident is ongoing.
- Olympic National Park Seeks Information on Missing Person Neil Gehring ↗2026-09-03
The National Park Service is searching for Neil Gehring, 26, who left the Madison Falls Trailhead in Olympic National Park on August 31.
- Crews Extinguish Two Small Lightning Fires, Continue to Work Mt. Barnes and Mount Tom Creek Fires ↗2026-08-26
Firefighters extinguished two small lightning fires in Olympic National Park on Tuesday. The Maiden 2 fire had burned 0.7 acres near a ridgeline approximately 1 mile north of Maiden Peak.
Map
Interactive map by the National Park Service
On the National Register nearby
- Pelton Creek ShelterBuilding · Port Angeles · 8.4 mi
- Dodger Point Fire LookoutStructure · Port Angeles · 8.8 mi
- Happy Four ShelterBuilding · Port Angeles · 8.8 mi
- Elk Lick LodgeBuilding · Port Angeles · 9.8 mi
Public land nearby
Distances are approximate. Wilderness Atlas publishes a center point and an acreage for each area rather than a boundary, so each area is treated here as a circle of the same size and the figure is the gap to that circle.
Guidebooks for Olympic National Park
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
- Olympic National Park Backpacking Adventure Guide NotesDoug Emory and Nate Trappe, 2023Find at Bookshop.org
Local history books for Olympic National Park
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject.
Reference
Wildlife
Seen this monthAmerican Black Bear 15× · Sooty Grouse 6× · Olympic Marmot 5× · Barred Owl 3× · Coyote 3× · Ruffed Grouse 1× · Peregrine Falcon 1× · Golden Eagle 1×Research-grade observations within 25 km, last 30 days, via iNaturalist
Full checklist: 260 birds, 67 mammalsHide
Raptors & owlsAmerican Kestrel · Bald Eagle · Barn Owl · Barred Owl · Broad-winged Hawk · Cooper's Hawk · Golden Eagle · Great Horned Owl · Long-eared Owl · Merlin (coastal forest subspecies) · Merlin (tundra subspecies) · Northern Harrier · Northern Pygmy-Owl · Northern Saw-whet Owl · Northern Spotted Owl · Osprey · Peregrine Falcon · Red-tailed Hawk · Rough-legged Hawk · Sharp-shinned Hawk · Short-eared Owl · Snowy Owl · Turkey Vulture · Western Screech-Owl
Waterfowl & wadersAmerican Coot · American White Pelican · American Wigeon · Barrow's Goldeneye · Blue-winged Teal · Brandt's Cormorant · Brown Pelican · Bufflehead · Cackling Goose · Canada Goose · Cattle Egret · Cinnamon Teal · Common Goldeneye · Common Loon · Common Merganser · Double-crested Cormorant · Eurasian Wigeon · Great Blue Heron · Greater Scaup · Greater White-fronted Goose · Green-backed Heron · Green-winged Teal · Harlequin Duck · Hooded Merganser · Horned Grebe · Lesser Scaup · Long-tailed Duck · Northern Pintail · Pacific Loon · Pelagic Cormorant · Pied-billed Grebe · Red-breasted Merganser · Red-necked Grebe · Red-throated Loon · Ring-necked Duck · Ruddy Duck · Sandhill Crane · Snow Goose · Trumpeter Swan · Tundra Swan · Virginia Rail · Western Grebe · Wood Duck
Shorebirds & seabirdsArctic Tern · Baird's Sandpiper · Black Oystercatcher · Black Turnstone · Black-bellied Plover · Bonaparte's Gull · California Gull · Caspian Tern · Cassin's Auklet · Common Murre · Common Snipe · Common Tern · Dunlin · Elegant Tern · Fork-tailed Storm-Petrel · Forster's Tern · Franklin's Gull · Glaucous Gull · Glaucous-winged Gull · Greater Yellowlegs · Heermann's Gull · Herring Gull · Killdeer · Laughing Gull · Leach's Storm-Petrel · Least Sandpiper · Lesser Yellowlegs · Long-billed Dowitcher · Long-tailed Jaeger · Manx Shearwater · Marbled Godwit · Mew Gull · Northern Phalarope · Olympic Gull · Pacific Golden-Plover · Parasitic Jaeger · Pectoral Sandpiper · Pomarine Jaeger · Red Phalarope · Rhinoceros Auklet · Ring-billed Gull · Rock Sandpiper · Ruddy Turnstone · Sanderling · Semipalmated Plover · Semipalmated Sandpiper · Short-billed Dowitcher · Slaty-backed Gull · Solitary Sandpiper · Sooty Shearwater · Spotted Sandpiper · Thayer's Gull · Tufted Puffin · Western Gull · Western Sandpiper
Gamebirds & dovesBand-tailed Pigeon · California Quail · Eurasian Collared-Dove · Mourning Dove · Pigeon Guillemot · Ring-necked Pheasant · Rock Pigeon · Ruffed Grouse · Sooty Grouse
WoodpeckersAcorn Woodpecker · American Three-toed Woodpecker · Downy Woodpecker · Hairy Woodpecker · Lewis' Woodpecker · Northern Flicker · Pileated Woodpecker · Red-breasted Sapsucker · Red-naped Sapsucker
Hummingbirds & swiftsAnna's Hummingbird · Black Swift · Rufous Hummingbird · Vaux's Swift
Also on the checklistAmerican Cliff Swallow · American Crow · American Dipper · American Dusky Flycatcher · American Goldfinch · American Pipit · American Redstart · American Robin · Ancient Murrelet · Barn Swallow · Belted Kingfisher · Bewick's Wren · Black Scoter · Black-capped Chickadee · Black-headed Grosbeak · Black-legged Kittiwake · Black-throated Gray Warbler · Bohemian Waxwing · Brant · Brewer's Blackbird · Brown Creeper · Brown-headed Cowbird · Bushtit · Canvasback · Cassin's Finch · Cassin's Vireo · Cedar Waxwing · Chestnut-backed Chickadee · Chipping Sparrow · Clark's Nutcracker · Common Nighthawk · Common Raven · Common Redpoll · Common Yellowthroat · Dark-eyed Junco · Eastern Kingbird · Eastern Phoebe · European Starling · Evening Grosbeak · Fox Sparrow · Gadwall · Golden-crowned Kinglet · Golden-crowned Sparrow · Gray Jay · Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch · Hammond's Flycatcher · Hermit Thrush · Hermit Warbler · Horned Lark · House Finch · House Sparrow · House Wren · Hutton's Vireo · Indigo Bunting · Lapland Longspur · Lazuli Bunting · Lincoln's Sparrow · Macgillivray's Warbler · Mallard · Marbled Murrelet · Marsh Wren · Mountain Bluebird · Northern Goshawk · Northern Mockingbird · Northern Oriole · Northern Rough-winged Swallow · Northern Shoveler · Northern Shrike · Northwestern Crow · Olive-sided flycatcher · Orange-crowned Warbler · Pacific (Winter) Wren · Pacific-slope Flycatcher · Pine Grosbeak · Pine Siskin · Purple Finch · Red Crossbill · Red Knot · Red-breasted Nuthatch · Red-necked Stint · Red-winged Blackbird · Redhead · Rock Wren · Ruby-crowned Kinglet · Savannah Sparrow · Snow Bunting · Song Sparrow · Spotted Towhee · Steller's Jay · Surf Scoter · Surfbird · Swainson's Thrush · Swamp Sparrow · Townsend's Solitaire · Townsend's Warbler · Tree Swallow · Varied Thrush · Vesper Sparrow · Violet-green Swallow · Wandering Tattler · Warbling Vireo · Western Bluebird · Western Meadowlark · Western Tanager · Western Wood-Pewee · Whimbrel · White-crowned Sparrow · White-throated Sparrow · White-winged Crossbill · White-winged Scoter · Willow Flycatcher · Wilson's Warbler · Yellow Warbler · Yellow-headed Blackbird · Yellow-rumped Warber (Audubon's) · Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)
Small mammalsAmerican Beaver · Bendire water shrew · Black Rat · Brown Rat · Destruction Island Shrew · Douglas' squirrel · House Mouse · Humboldt's flying squirrel · Keen's Mouse · Mountain Beaver · Olympic Snow Mole · Olympic chipmunk · Olympic marmot · Olympic pocket gopher · Pacific jumping mouse · Townsend chipmunk · Townsend's vole · Trowbridge shrew · bushy-tailed woodrat · cinereous shrew · coast mole · creeping vole · dusky shrew · gapper red-backed mouse · heather vole · long-tailed vole · mountain water shrew · muskrat · porcupine · shrew-mole · snow mole · snowshoe rabbit · wandering shrew · white-footed mouse
Marine mammalsGuadalupe Fur Seal · harbor seal · northern elephant seal · northern fur seal · northern sea lion · sea otter
PredatorsAmerican mink · California sea-lion · Coastal Marten · Common Otter · Olympic ermine · black bear · bobcat · coyote · fisher · long-tailed weasel · mountain lion · raccoon · striped skunk
Hoofed mammalsRoosevelt elk · black-tailed deer · mountain goat
BatsCalifornia myotis · Little Brown Bat · Yuma myotis · big brown bat · hairy-winged myotis · hoary bat · long-eared bat · long-eared myotis · silver-haired bat
Also on the checklistVirginia Opossum · civit cat
Activities
Activity guides for this park Birdwatching in the national parks · Camping in the national parks · Canoeing and kayaking in the national parks · Fishing in the national parks · Hiking in the national parks · Horseback riding in the national parks · Rock climbing in the national parks · Skiing in the national parks · Stargazing in the national parks · Wildlife watching in the national parks
All 45 activitiesHide
Weather & climate
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.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Olympic?
Entrance is $30 per private vehicle, $25 per motorcycle, and $15 per person on foot or bike. Valid for seven consecutive days.
Source: National Park Service
Which passes work at Olympic?
The $80 America the Beautiful pass covers the entrance fee here, and a Olympic-only annual pass is $55.
Source: Is the pass worth it
Can I pay the entrance fee in cash?
No. Olympic takes cards only at the entrance.
Source: National Park Service
When is entrance to Olympic free?
Next on October 27, Theodore Roosevelt's birthday. 2 fee-free days are left this year, for US residents only.
Source: Free entrance days
Do I need a reservation to enter Olympic?
No. There is no timed-entry or entrance reservation at Olympic. Camping and some tours have their own reservations.
Source: National Park Service
Is Olympic open year-round?
Yes. The grounds are open 24 hours a day, year-round.
Source: National Park Service
Can I camp in Olympic?
Yes. The Park Service lists 12 campgrounds in Olympic: Kalaloch Campround, Queets, Ozette, Mora, and North Fork, and more. 5 take reservations through Recreation.gov; 1 is first-come, first-served.
Which Olympic campgrounds have showers, hookups, or a dump station?
Dump station: Kalaloch Campround, Mora, and Fairholme.
Source: Campgrounds
Do camping fees at Olympic include the entrance fee?
No. Camping is charged per night on top of the entrance fee or a pass; Kalaloch Campround is $24 a night.
Source: Campgrounds
When do Olympic campgrounds close for the season?
South Beach is closed Sep 28 to May 20 and Fairholme is closed Sep 28 to Apr 22.
Source: Campgrounds
Is anything closed at Olympic right now?
4 active alerts as of October 14, 2026: Highway 101 Overnight Closures at Hoh River Bridge, October 13-19; Bat Tests Positive for Rabies, Visitors Urged to Report Potential Contact; and more.
Source: Alerts
How busy is Olympic?
3,584,187 recreation visits in 2025, number 26 of 387 units that report visitation.
Source: Most visited parks
Follow this park
- Alerts feed (RSS)
- Every active Park Service alert for this unit, one item each, rebuilt with the nightly data refresh.
- Add dates to your calendar (.ics file)
- Fee-free entrance days that apply here and each published hours exception, as all-day events.
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