Photo: Ron Clausen, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Olympic is three parks in one: moss-draped rain forest, snowy mountains and a wild Pacific coast of sea stacks and driftwood. No road crosses the middle, so you circle it on Highway 101 and drive in from the edges. Give it at least three days, one each for Hurricane Ridge and Lake Crescent, the Hoh and Sol Duc forests, and the beaches. Get to the Hoh early to beat the line, and plan beach walks around low tide.
TRAILS
1 OF 8
Hall of Mosses
Difficulty
Easy
Length
0.8 mi loop
Elevation gain
100 ft
Hoh Rain Forest · Hoh Visitor Center — A short loop under giant Sitka spruce and bigleaf maples draped in thick curtains of moss. It's one of the wettest places in the lower 48, and it shows: everything is green. Add the 1.2-mile Spruce Nature Trail next door to reach the Hoh River. Go early in the morning, when it's quiet and elk sometimes wander through.
⚠︎ Summer waits at the Hoh entrance can reach two hours. Arrive before 8 am or after 5 pm.
Photo: King of Hearts, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
2 OF 8
Hurricane Hill
Difficulty
Moderate
Length
3.2 mi
Elevation gain
700 ft
Hurricane Ridge · Hurricane Hill trailhead — A paved path climbs a ridge of wildflower meadows to a summit with views of Mount Olympus and its glaciers on one side and the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Canada on the other. Marmots and deer are common along the way. On a clear day it's the best view in the park for the effort. Bring layers; it's often windy and cool up top.
⚠︎ Hurricane Ridge Road hours vary by season, and the spur road to this trailhead sometimes closes. Check road status first.
Photo: Jeff Gunn, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
3 OF 8
Rialto Beach to Hole-in-the-Wall
Difficulty
Easy
Length
3 mi
Elevation gain
50 ft
Mora · Rialto Beach — Walk north along a wild beach of smooth stones and bleached driftwood logs to a sea arch you can pass through at low tide. Sea stacks stand offshore, and the tide pools near the arch are full of anemones and sea stars. Walking on the loose cobbles is slower than it looks. Keep off the drift logs when waves are rolling in.
⚠︎ Plan around low tide; the arch is only passable when the water is down. Mora Road has had construction closures in 2026, so check access first.
Photo: Roller Coaster Philosophy, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
4 OF 8
Sol Duc Falls
Difficulty
Easy
Length
1.6 mi
Elevation gain
200 ft
Sol Duc Valley · Sol Duc Falls trailhead — An easy walk through old-growth forest to a spot where the river splits and pours into a narrow slot canyon in several streams at once. A wooden bridge crosses right over the gorge for the best view. It's beautiful in any weather and especially lush in spring. Finish with a soak at Sol Duc Hot Springs down the road.
Photo: Sea Cow, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
5 OF 8
Marymere Falls
Difficulty
Easy
Length
1.8 mi
Elevation gain
300 ft
Lake Crescent · Storm King Ranger Station — A forest walk from the shore of Lake Crescent to a slender waterfall dropping about 90 feet into a fern-lined grotto. The last bit climbs a short set of steps to a viewing area. It's a good family hike and an easy add-on to a Lake Crescent stop. Spring brings the biggest flow.
Photo: runt35, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
6 OF 8
Mount Storm King
Difficulty
Strenuous
Length
4.2 mi
Elevation gain
2,100 ft
Lake Crescent · Storm King Ranger Station — A relentless climb up switchbacks from the Marymere Falls trail to a rocky perch with a bird's-eye view of Lake Crescent's deep blue water. The maintained trail ends at a sign; past it, fixed ropes lead up steep, loose rock to the top. The view is nearly as good below the ropes. Wear sturdy boots and turn back if the rock is wet.
Photo: Ron Clausen, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
7 OF 8
Shi Shi Beach and Point of the Arches
Difficulty
Moderate
Length
8–9 mi
Elevation gain
200 ft
Neah Bay · Shi Shi trailhead — A forest trail drops to a long, curving beach, then you walk the sand south to Point of the Arches, a mile of sea stacks and rock arches standing in the surf. It's one of the wildest coastal walks in the country. The trail can be very muddy, so wear boots you don't mind ruining. Time the point for low tide to see the tide pools.
⚠︎ The trailhead is on the Makah Reservation and needs a Makah Recreation Pass to park. Overnight stays need a wilderness permit and bear canister. Check tides.
Photo: John Fowler, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
8 OF 8
Ruby Beach
Difficulty
Easy
Length
0.4 mi
Elevation gain
50 ft
Kalaloch coast · Ruby Beach parking — A short path drops through the trees to a beach of polished stones, drift logs and sea stacks, with Abbey Island just offshore. At low tide you can wander south among tide pools for as long as you like. It's an easy stop on Highway 101 and a favorite sunset spot. Watch your footing on the logs near the creek mouth.
Photo: John Fowler, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Plan your Olympic trip
The Nova Bound app builds the whole trip around these trails: where to stay, where to charge, and what to see each day. Coming soon to the App Store.
Distances are round trip unless noted, from NPS.gov and rounded. Trails, permits and road openings change; always check nps.gov before you go. Trail write-ups by Nova Bound.