National park · Washington

Olympic National Park

Three radically different ecosystems in one park on Washington's Olympic Peninsula — glaciated peaks, the Hoh and Quinault temperate rainforests, and 73 miles of wild Pacific coastline.

Entrance
$30 private vehicle
Hours
Open 24 hours daily Olympic National Park
Established
March 2, 1909
Region
Pacific Northwest
Olympic National Park
Photo: NPS Photo · Public domain (US National Park Service)
The Olympic National Park patch

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History

Olympic National Park is significant for its diverse ecosystems, including temperate rainforests and alpine areas, which are home to unique wildlife. It was designated as a national park to preserve its natural beauty and biodiversity for future generations.

Key events

  1. Originally designated as Mount Olympus National Monument by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1909.
  2. Redesignated as a national park by Congress and President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1938.
  3. Designated as an International Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1976 and as a World Heritage Site in 1981.
  4. 95% of the park was designated as the Olympic Wilderness in 1988, later renamed Daniel J. Evans Wilderness in 2017.
  5. Had over 3.7 million visitors in 2024, ranking 25th among all parks in the United States.

Trails

  • Hall of Mosses 0.8 mi · Easy
  • Hurricane Hill 3.2 mi · Moderate
  • Sol Duc Falls 1.6 mi · Easy
  • Rialto Beach to Hole-in-the-Wall 4 mi · Moderate
  • High Divide Loop 18 mi · Hard

Plan your visit

Hours · Olympic National Park

Open 24 hours, every day

Olympic National Park is open 24 hours a day year-round, although some roads, campgrounds and facilities are open seasonally.

Entrance fees

  • Private Vehicle $30
  • Motorcycle $25
  • Per Person $15

Fees and hours as of May 2026. Check current details on NPS.gov

When to go

  • Summer. Driest weather, all trails accessible, warmest temps
  • Fall. Salmon runs, elk rut September, fall colors
  • Spring. Waterfalls at peak, wildflowers, fewer crowds
  • Winter. Lush rainforest, storm watching at coast, solitude

Wildlife

Roosevelt elkBlack bearsMountain goatsHarbor sealsSea ottersOrcasBald eaglesBanana slugs

Nearby patches

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