Olympic National Park
RV Guide

Featuring old-growth forests decorated with moss and the unique Sol Duc Falls, Sol Duc Valley is a great destination in the Spring. There are a variety of hiking and nature trails for you to explore, many of which are leisurely strolls. Visitors can sometimes also spot salmon swimming up the Sol Duc River Overlook and a variety of other wildlife throughout the valley.

One of the most overlooked jewels of Olympic National Park is Upper Lena Lake. The hike is not for the faint of heart, but it is achievable and makes for a great day out in nature. You will love the beautiful lake views and the excellent vantage points of Mount Bretherton and Mount Lena that you will have. Visitors in late spring may also decide to take a dip in the chilly waters, but be aware that there are likely to be chunks of ice still floating at the surface.

The best season to drop your canoe or kayak into the Elwha River is during the spring when the river is full of snowmelt and spring rains. There are several locations where you can start your river journey, including the Altair Campground or Glines Canyon. Be sure to check in with the ranger station to verify that the river is clear of debris or log jams. They will have the most current information available to help you steer clear of any affected routes, so remember to do so.

Some of the greatest views of the Olympics are available at Hurricane Ridge. Pack a lunch and drive up to the upper parking lot to take in scenic vistas of Mount Olympus, the Bailey Range, as well as a variety of terrains and wildlife below. Visitors can also hike up Hurricane Hill to catch of glimpse of Port Angeles and the Strait of Juan de Fuca on clear days. Be sure to check road conditions, especially in early spring when snow conditions sometimes require vehicles to carry snow chains for tires.

There are many opportunities to cast a line at Olympic National Park thanks to the many lakes, rivers, and streams flowing throughout the park. Salmon, trout, and char are just a few of the wild fish thriving in the local waters that are popular to catch. Visitors should be aware of the regulations regarding fish and shellfish and be aware of any regulation changes. Depending on the season, you may be required to obtain a license or a catch record card as well.

Carved by glaciers thousands of years ago, Lake Crescent is deep, cool, and full of clear blue waters. Visitors can enjoy several beaches and picnic areas around the lake, along with access to multiple trails nearby as well. You can also paddle a canoe or kayak across the reflective surface of the lake to enjoy scenic views all around. Whether you are hiking, swimming, fishing, or paddling, spending a day at Lake Crescent will be very enjoyable.

Summer nights are often warm and much drier than any other time of year at Olympic National Park. This environment means there are clear skies that offer amazing nighttime views of celestial bodies. Another reason why stargazing is great is because there is very little light pollution in or around the park. The Astronomy Program allows visitors to join a Master Observer and use telescopes to view the various stars, constellations, nebulae, and our neighboring planets. There are also featured full moon hikes to the top of Hurricane Hill that offer you a special glimpse of the moon and the wilderness lit up in the moon’s soft glow.

The Elwha River Valley site of one of largest ecosystem restoration projects ever taken on by the National Parks Service. For decades, dams altered the natural flow of the entire ecosystem here, however, thanks to a law passed in 1992 by Congress, both dams have now been removed. This has resulted in salmon are spawning in the park again for the first time in years. The newly beautiful area also has a variety of picnic areas, hiking trails, as well as views of the beautiful Madison Falls.

While wildlife can be found all throughout the park, there are some special discoveries waiting for you to make at Ruby Beach. During the low tides, tidepools are left all along Ruby Beach that are full of amazing life forms. From pink algae and green anemones to starfish and seashells, you are certain to be amazed and entertained. Be sure to check the tide times during your visit, as the pools are covered during high tide. The park also suggests bringing a container for any garbage or litter you may find along the way so you can help to keep the beach beautiful.

While there are only a few trails available in the Hoh Rainforest, the Hall of Mosses is a must-do. This short, leisurely and relatively easy trail is around a mile long and will give you the chance to see there lush green rainforest, with moss cloaking everything from tree trunks to the forest floor. If you are lucky you may also see wildlife in the early mornings or just before sunset.

As long as you visit prior to the first snow in late fall, Deer Park is the perfect location for views of the Olympic Mountains and the Salish Sea. The beautiful fall colors of high alpine plants in both the forests and meadows are simply awe-inspiring. There are few other locations in the park offering views of the Gray Wolf River Valley, so if this is on your to-do list you really should go to Deer Park. If you find the road has been closed for the winter season an alternative plan is to check out the views from Hurricane Ridge.

The Staircase Loop Trail is a great way to take in the magnificence of the old forests, spotting wildlife and various colors during the fall months. One of the main attractions to this trail is observing the beautiful Douglas-firs that dominate the southeast section of the park. There are a multitude of wilderness destinations in the Staircase area as well, but if you are thinking about a longer trip in this area you will need a permit for any overnight hikes or camping.

If you are interested in seeing some salmon action during your trip to Olympic National Park you should check out the Salmon Cascades of Sol Duc Valley during the fall. With the restoration efforts, the ecosystem is booming, salmon species are expected to swell up to 300,000 in the future. The area is suited to nature lovers who want to witness the salmon migration and fisherman looking for a truly memorable fishing trip.

Few places are as beautiful as the Royal Basin is during the Fall. A classic trip for visitors to Olympic National Park, there are many activities that you can enjoy, including hiking, swimming and, of course, viewing scenic vistas. If you make your way along the Dungeness River and past Royal Creek, you will reach Royal Lake where the bright orange and reds from the leaves reflect of the clear calm water. You can also check out nearby waterfalls or head farther along the main trail to the Upper Royal Basin for even more views of glaciated mountains.

The Ozette area of Olympic National Park is simply sensational. Although you may not find a multitude of fall colors, there is much to admire when visiting one of the most remote locations in Washington. Sea stacks can be seen along several areas of coastline, and the tidepools are full of starfish and seashells. Fall storms are the highlight in this area, and, if you are lucky, you can see the ocean swells a few days before the storms make it to shore.

The Glines Canyon Spillway Overlook is a very interesting way to check out the large valley that was once Lake Mills, prior to the removal of the Elwha and Glines Dams. Thanks to the ecosystem restoration of the Elwha River Valley, wildlife is now thriving here in ways it has not been able to in decades. If you are interested in learning more about the history of the area, there are also interpretive exhibits displaying the history of the dams and their eventual removal as well.

Enjoy the best of downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snowboarding and tubing on the slopes at Hurricane Ridge Winter Sports Area. One of only two ski locations situated inside of a National Park, Hurricane Ridge is also the farthest west in the United States. Please note that with vast amounts of snowfall many of the park areas will be inaccessible to cars, and the road to Hurricane Ridge is only open Friday, Saturday and Sunday through the winter season.

Thanks to winter snow melt from the Olympics, Madison Creek Falls flourishes during the late winter to early spring months. The walk to the falls from the parking lot is quite easy and only takes around five minutes or so to arrive at the falls. Here you can enjoy spotting wildlife and greenery all along the way, and because there are fewer crowds during this time of year you can enjoy the pure sounds of the forest in seclusion.

Perhaps one of the most passed-over opportunities during the winter months at Olympic National Park is scoping out the salmon spawning site at Morse Creek. The site is hidden behind a small cabin located just a few minutes from Domaine Madeleine and is mostly unknown to the average visitor to the park. At Morse Creek, there is a variety of wild trout and two different species of salmon that use it as a primary spawning location. As fish populations in the park have been rising, the spectacle will only get better.

While Hurricane Ridge is covered in a blanket of white, the Hoh Rainforest is lush and green from the massive amounts of rainfall the region receives throughout this time of year. Keep an eye out for grazing elk in the mild temperatures of the forest, particularly where ferns and mosses thrive. Wanting to see more of the forest? Hike the Spruce Nature Trail to Hoh River and if the rain holds off it is also a wonderful place to have a picnic.