Olympic National Park: planning guide
Three parks in one on Washington’s peninsula: rainforest, mountains, and Pacific beach. Wet weather is normal.
Olympic National Park is in WA, United States. The nearest town is Port Angeles — roughly 25.3 mi (40.7 km) out, about 55 min of driving.
When to go
Best window: May through October. Shoulder season: April and early November.
Winter brings cold, shorter days, and reduced services, though lower-elevation trails often stay walkable.
Peak summer weekends and autumn colour weekends fill parking lots early — arrive before mid-morning.
Closest towns and cities
| Town | Distance | Estimated drive |
|---|---|---|
| Port Angeles | 25.3 mi (40.7 km) | 55 min |
| Forks | 33.4 mi (53.8 km) | 1 hr 10 min |
| Sequim | 33.7 mi (54.3 km) | 1 hr 10 min |
| Silverdale | 47.9 mi (77.1 km) | 1 hr 35 min |
| Port Townsend | 48.7 mi (78.3 km) | 1 hr 36 min |
| Elma | 56.7 mi (91.2 km) | 1 hr 48 min |
| Aberdeen | 57.2 mi (92.1 km) | 1 hr 48 min |
| Hoquiam | 57.3 mi (92.2 km) | 1 hr 48 min |
Before you go
Olympic National Park does not gate the entrance itself. Specific roads, hikes, or tours still need a permit or timed ticket.
| Booking | Covers | How |
|---|---|---|
| Olympic National Park Wilderness Permit | One hike or backcountry trip | Permit or lottery |
Camping
| Name | Booking | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fairholme | Reservable | — |
| Hoh Rainforest | Reservable | — |
| Kalaloch | Reservable | — |
| Mora | Reservable | — |
| Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort | Reservable | — |
| Staircase | Reservable | — |
Permits
| Name | Booking | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Olympic National Park Wilderness Permit | Permit / lottery | — |
Where Olympic National Park sits
Official Olympic National Park site — hours, closures, and fees.
Drive times from Olympic National Park
Olympic National Park sits close enough to Gulf Islands National Park, Mount Rainier National Park, Pacific Rim National Park, and North Cascades National Park that one drive from home can cover more than one park.
| Park | Apart | Estimated drive |
|---|---|---|
| Gulf Islands National Park | 73.5 mi (118 km) | 2 hr 11 min |
| Mount Rainier National Park | 112 mi (180 km) | 3 hr 6 min |
| Pacific Rim National Park | 123 mi (199 km) | 3 hr 22 min |
| North Cascades National Park | 131 mi (211 km) | 3 hr 33 min |
Parks close by
- Gulf Islands National Park
Scattered Gulf Islands in the Salish Sea — rocky shores, Garry oak meadows, and quiet boat-access camps.
- Mount Rainier National Park
A big, glaciated volcano in Washington with meadows and old forest. Weather flips fast; roads and trails depend on snow.
- Pacific Rim National Park
A Parks Canada reserve on Vancouver Island’s west coast — Long Beach, the Broken Group Islands, and the West Coast Trail. Surf, rainforest, and Pacific weather.
- North Cascades National Park
Rugged, glaciated peaks in northern Washington. Steep terrain, few services, and lots of trail time.
Common questions
Where is Olympic National Park?
Olympic National Park sits in WA, United States. Port Angeles, about 25.3 mi (40.7 km) away — roughly 55 min of driving.
When is the best time to visit Olympic National Park?
Generally May through October, with April and early November quieter on either side.
Can you camp in Olympic National Park?
Yes — Recreation.gov lists 6 campgrounds at Olympic National Park. Recreation.gov releases most national park campsites six months before the arrival date, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern time. Windows are set per campground, so confirm yours on the Seasons and Fees tab on that campground page.