Olympic National Park is considered one of my favourite nationwide parks within the United States, and customarily is a favourite for lots of people. This is as a result of the park is extraordinarily assorted, encompassing the whole lot from temperate rainforests to mountain peaks to dramatic Pacific seashores.
And whereas being contained in the park on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula can really feel very secluded at occasions, you’ll be able to attain components of Olympic National Park in lower than 3 hours from Seattle.
The park’s recognition and proximity to Seattle additionally makes it one of many most-visited nationwide parks within the United States, although, averaging 2.5 million guests per 12 months. And whereas the park is massive (1400+ sq. miles), 95% of it’s wilderness; which means all these guests are likely to congregate in just some spots.
Roughly 75% of holiday makers to Olympic National Park go to in June, July, and August, and through these months you’ll be able to anticipate finding lengthy entrance station traces and full parking tons (and typically wait occasions) at fashionable spots like Hurricane Ridge and the Hoh Rainforest.
And so, whereas numerous folks will say that summer time is the “best” time to go to Olympic National Park, I’ll really make an argument for moving into winter as a substitute!
Why winter in Olympic National Park is totally different
Winter is off-season at many US nationwide parks, and it is no totally different at Olympic. During the winter months, the mountains within the Olympic vary get numerous snow, and the coastal components of the park get loads of storms bringing chilly rain. So it is not obscure why summer time is the popular and busiest time to go to.
Certain components of the park shut or are exhausting to entry throughout the winter months, too.
The highway to Hurricane Ridge, for instance, usually closes on account of snow, and when it’s open (normally solely on weekends in winter), you are required to have snow chains in your tires. Sol Duc Road, which is used to entry Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort and the hike to Sol Duc Falls, closes completely within the winter. And the customer middle within the Hoh Rainforest normally shuts up after New Year’s for a pair months.
Is Olympic National Park price visiting within the winter?
So the query you could be asking is…. is Olympic National Park really price visiting within the winter? My reply is a powerful YES!
Like at many different nationwide parks, winter is the “silent season” at Olympic National Park. Yes, some components of the park are inaccessible, and sure, the climate could not at all times be ideally suited. BUT, you will discover much less site visitors and principally zero crowds, which means you may get a few of the most magical components of the park to your self.
Things to do in Olympic National Park in winter
Visiting Olympic National Park in winter is clearly totally different from visiting at different occasions of the 12 months. Here are the highest issues to do there throughout the winter months:
1. Snow sports activities at Hurricane Ridge*
Hurricane Ridge is probably the most accessible mountain space inside Olympic National Park, and probably the most fashionable spots for guests. It’s near the city of Port Angeles, and is accessed by way of the Hurricane Ridge Road.
Hurricane Ridge sits at 5,242 ft, and will get its title from the gale-force winds which can be widespread on the high. Winter season typically runs from late November by way of the tip of March, and through this time (IF the world is accessible), you are able to do issues like cross-country snowboarding, snowshoeing, and tubing.
The Hurricane Ridge space has miles of snowshoe and cross-country snowboarding routes, and Ranger-led snowshoeing excursions are provided on Saturdays within the winter. Kids may also go sledding and tubing, and backcountry snowboarding is out there for knowledgeable skiers.
The highway to Hurricane Ridge is open (climate allowing) on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays throughout the winter months. Anyone driving up the highway (together with if you happen to’re in a 4×4) is required to hold snow chains, although; you will not be allowed up the highway with out them.
You can name 360-565-3131 to verify on present Hurricane Ridge highway situations, or comply with @HRWinterEntry on Twitter.
*Hurricane Ridge WAS open throughout my very own winter journey to Olympic National Park, however we opted to not drive up the mountain. We DID get snow chains with our rental automobile, however this Ohio-raised woman has no clue how one can use them and we determined to not threat it! (Plus, we did not actually pack winter gear for our journey since the remainder of the spots we visited had been rather more delicate!)
2. Visit Madison Falls
If you are on the lookout for a really rewarding cease for little or no effort, make a slight detour off Highway 101 and onto Olympic Hot Springs Road. A great portion of this highway is at the moment closed indefinitely due a wash-out, however you’ll be able to nonetheless drive so far as the Madison Falls Trailhead.
At the trailhead, a really brief (like, 5-minute) stroll will take you to the beautiful Madison Falls (pictured above).
The views alongside the Elwha River on the trailhead parking space are additionally superb! (In reality, we spent extra time taking photographs of the river and surrounding mountains than we did of the waterfall.)
3. Stop at Lake Crescent / Lake Crescent Lodge
Backtrack to the 101, and proceed west. The subsequent focal point you will attain is Lake Crescent, a deep lake recognized for its clear, blue water. There are a number of pull-out areas alongside the highway the place you’ll be able to cease for photographs.
I additionally advocate stopping in on the Lake Crescent Lodge if you happen to’re visiting in early winter. The historic lodge dates again to 1915, and sits on a quiet little bit of lakeshore. It’s a well-liked base for mountaineering, fishing, and boating throughout the summer time, however stays open by way of the autumn and early winter, too. (Operating dates are normally from April by way of January 1.)
If you are visiting throughout a time when the lodge is open, you’ll be able to cease for breakfast, lunch, or dinner within the Lake Crescent Lodge Dining Room. (Or, if you happen to go to between meal occasions like I did, you’ll be able to at all times seize a espresso or grownup beverage from the bar, and luxuriate in it within the cozy foyer or connected conservatory.)
And the view from their dock out over the lake is excellent any time of 12 months.
4. Hike within the Hoh Rainforest
The magical, ethereal Hoh Rainforest is personally my favourite a part of Olympic National Park – and it is a favourite amongst most different park guests, too!
The Hoh Rainforest is a temperate rainforest that covers about 24 miles, and (as its title would counsel) it is one of many wettest locations in your entire United States, receiving on common practically 140 inches of rain per 12 months.
The Hoh Rainforest may be extraordinarily busy throughout the summer time months (it is not unusual for folks to have to attend 1-2 hours to even get into the parking space throughout busy summer time weekends), but it surely’s blissfully quiet throughout the winter.
Visiting the Hoh Rainforest in winter could also be one of many higher occasions to go to if you’d like the paths to your self. You might be able to spot the whole lot from Roosevelt elk within the forest to Coho salmon within the streams and rivers. Winter can be when the moss and lichen on the timber will likely be its thickest and most vibrant, giving off optimum FernGully vibes.
The customer middle right here closes from January 2 by way of early March, however you’ll be able to nonetheless go to the forest and hike the paths. (The Hall of Mosses Trail and Spruce Nature Trail are each must-dos.)
READ MORE: Visiting the Hoh Rainforest in Winter: Everything You Need to Know
5. Visit the Pacific Beaches
Olympic National Park is usually confined to the central a part of the Olympic Peninsula. But the park additionally features a sliver of shoreline that stretches for miles down the Washington coast.
Important be aware: Not solely is it necessary to observe Leave No Trace ideas whenever you’re visiting this a part of Olympic National Park, however you additionally want to concentrate to the tides. Some of those seashores are extra safely visited at low tide – and you may undoubtedly need to know when low tide is for tidepooling! Check tide occasions right here.
While you may not need to go for a dip throughout the winter months, there are nonetheless a number of nice nationwide park seashores to go to, together with (from north to south):
- Shi Shi Beach* – Located far up north on the peninsula, this quiet seaside requires a hike to succeed in (2 miles from the parking space to the seaside, and one other 2.5 miles to the well-known Point of Arches). This is a well-liked seaside for wilderness tenting, however you will want a allow for it.
- Rialto Beach – One of the most well-liked seashores, recognized for sea stacks, driftwood, tide swimming pools, and the additional hike out to Hole within the Wall. (The hike to Hole within the Wall is 3.3 miles spherical journey, however you’ll be able to attain the seaside itself with out mountaineering.)
- La Push Beaches* – First, Second and Third seashores (these are their official names) are shut to at least one one other, and all barely totally different. Second Beach is the most well-liked, with a protracted stretch of sand and large sea stacks. It does require a 2 mile round-trip hike to go to.
- Ruby Beach – Situated proper off the 101, Ruby Beach is without doubt one of the simpler seashores to go to – but it surely’s nonetheless epic! It’s acquired the whole lot: sea stacks, piles of driftwood, forested cliffs, plus tide swimming pools at low tide.
- Kalaloch Beaches – There are a number of seashores simply south of Ruby Beach numbered 1-4, with 4 being probably the most northerly seaside. Beach 4 is definitely my favourite, with a rugged path all the way down to a sand-and-rock seaside with piles of driftwood and glorious tide swimming pools. The Tree of Life close to the Kalaloch Campground can be price stopping to see.
*Shi Shi Beach and the La Push seashores are technically inside Olympic National Park, but in addition on Indigenous land. The La Push seashores belong to the Quileute Nation, and you will be passing by way of their neighborhood in La Push. The trailhead to Shi Shi Beach is on land owned by the Makah folks, and you may want a separate Makah Recreation Permit with the intention to park/go to right here (the permits value $20, and may be bought within the city of Neah Bay).
Bonus: Cape Flattery
It’s not a part of Olympic National Park, however it’s a part of the Makah Nation. If you are going to go north and go to Shi Shi Beach and want to purchase a Makah Recreation Pass anyway, chances are you’ll as properly profit from your go and likewise detour to Cape Flattery.
Cape Flattery is probably the most northwesterly level within the contiguous United States, and it is very a lot price visiting! A 1.5-mile out and again path leads by way of some lovely forest and to a few totally different viewing platforms on the coast. From these, you’ll be able to view sea stacks, crashing waves, and the Cape Flattery Lighthouse on Tatoosh Island.
The path is a combination of grime and picket boardwalks and is usually downhill on the best way out, however the views are undoubtedly well worth the return hike.
Bonus: Quinault Rain Forest
Another space that is not technically inside Olympic National Park that I nonetheless suppose is price visiting is the southern aspect of Lake Quinault. The northern shore of the lake is inside Olympic National Park, whereas the southern shore is inside the Olympic National Forest. (And the entire lake is owned by the Quinault Nation.)
You can really drive a loop round the entire lake, however there are two spots alongside the southern shore that I feel are must-visits:
- Quinault Rain Forest – A half-mile path will take you thru outdated progress forest, partially alongside Willaby Creek. This path is lush and a bit bit wild-feeling; a really totally different rain forest vibe than what you will discover within the Hoh Rainforest!
- World’s Largest Sitka Spruce – A brief 10-15 minute stroll will deliver you to this forest large, which towers 191 ft above the bottom.
How many days do you want in Olympic National Park?
This query is less complicated to reply throughout the winter, since sure components of Olympic National Park shut. In winter, I like to recommend a minimum of 3 days to discover all of the totally different components of Olympic National Park. During the summer time months, 4-5 days (or extra!) might be higher.
If you simply need to see the highlights, although (i.e. Hurricane Ridge, the Hoh Rainforest, and perhaps 1 or 2 seashores), you’ll be able to match it into 2 days if you happen to handle your time properly.*
*Just keep in mind that there’s much less daylight throughout the winter! You could solely have 8 hours of daylight to work with, and remember that the totally different sections of the park could be a couple hours’ drive aside.
Where to remain in Olympic National Park in winter
Here are just a few accommodations you’ll be able to think about for a winter ONP journey. (Note although that the park is massive and principally wilderness, which means driving occasions between totally different components of the park can typically be lengthy. You would possibly need to keep in multiple place if you happen to’re visiting for greater than 2 or 3 days.)
- Olympic Lodge in Port Angeles – Port Angeles is the gateway to the Hurricane Ridge part of Olympic National Park, and this resort is a superb base. The lodge is massive, but its widespread areas and rooms really feel cozy. In the winter, you’ll be able to curl up by the hearth within the foyer, or courageous the weather to make use of the resort’s (heated) outside pool and sizzling tub. (Read evaluations right here | Book a room right here)
- Woodland Inns in Forks – This motel in Forks is a superb base for exploring the Hoh Rainforest and La Push seashores. They lease out particular person cabins that look rustic on the skin, however are fashionable and comfy (and model new) on the within. Each cabin has a kitchenette and fireside, and my good friend and I really regretted solely staying one night time! (Read evaluations right here | Book a cabin right here)
- Kalaloch Lodge on the coast – Kalaloch Lodge is without doubt one of the nationwide park lodges. Situated proper on the coast close to Ruby Beach and the Kalaloch Beaches, the lodge has 10 rooms in its primary constructing, and likewise rents out particular person cabins, some with ocean views. It’s a well-liked spot for winter storm-watching, and likewise a great base for exploring the southern portion of Olympic National Park. (Read evaluations right here | Book a room right here)
And the Lake Crescent Lodge is in a fantastic location in the midst of the park. The lodge’s Roosevelt Fireplace Cabins are tremendous cozy, and are available full with lake views. HOWEVER, the lodge closes for some time throughout the winter months; it is normally open from April 1 by way of the next January 1, with restricted availability in November and December.
Check out these different nationwide park winter guides, too:
Olympic National Park in winter FAQs
Olympic National Park is situated within the middle of the Olympic Peninsula in Washington state within the Pacific Northwest. The park covers numerous space, and has 4 distinct areas: the Pacific shoreline, alpine areas, the temperate rainforest on the west aspect, and drier forests on the east aspect.
From Seattle, it takes 2-3 hours to succeed in both the alpine space of the park (i.e. Hurricane Ridge, with an entrance in Port Angeles) or the jap forest. It takes 4 hours from Seattle to the Hoh Rainforest, and three hours to get from Seattle to the Pacific seashores.
Olympic National Park is open year-round, 24 hours a day, 12 months per 12 months. Visitor facilities and sure different issues inside the park have seasonal opening hours, however the pure components of the park are at all times open (so long as highway situations enable).
The entrance payment for Olympic National Park is $30 for passenger automobiles, $25 for bikes, and $15 for hikers and bicyclists. The entrance payment lets you go to for 7 consecutive days. But you would possibly need to buy a nationwide parks go, which is $80 however good at any NPS-managed website for one 12 months.
Yes, Olympic National Park is open within the winter, and it is a good time to go to! You can go to the rainforest, seashores, and even mountain areas throughout the winter.
Some issues do shut (or have restricted opening hours) within the winter in Olympic National Park, together with sure park roads, lodges, and customer facilities.
Things that shut completely within the winter embody: Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort and the Sol Duc Road resulting in it; Lake Crescent Lodge (closes Jan. 1 through March); the Hoh Rainforest Visitor Center (closed Jan 2 till early March); and the Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center.
Things which have restricted opening hours within the winter embody the highway to Hurricane Ridge, which is open solely on weekends within the winter, and provided that the climate permits.
Find extra data about what closes when right here.
Winter in Washington state spans from December by way of March, although the moist, wet season normally rolls in to the extra temperate coastal areas of the state in October.
Because Olympic National Park encompasses a number of several types of pure areas (mountains to rainforest to coast), winter temperatures can differ significantly relying on which a part of the park you are in.
In higher-elevation components of the park (like Hurricane Ridge), winter temps are normally under freezing (20s-30s F throughout the daytime), and you may anticipate finding snow on the bottom.
In lower-elevation components of the park, daytime winter temperatures normally common within the 40s (F), with nighttime temps dipping into the 20s or 30s. Once March rolls round, temperatures can rise into the 50s.
In the mountainous a part of the park (like at Hurricane Ridge), sure, it snows usually in winter. The annual snowfall whole at Hurricane Ridge is 400+ inches per 12 months.
Snow can be doable within the lower-elevation components of Olympic National Park throughout the winter (like within the Hoh Rainforest), but it surely’s not frequent and normally melts pretty shortly if it does fall. Rain is more likely within the lower-elevation components of the park.
Who’s satisfied to go to Olympic National Park in winter?