How to Get to Olympic National Park (Road Trip Ideas + Airports)

Olympic National Park is a highly visited park, with close to 3 million visitors annually. Because of the remoteness of the Olympic Peninsula, it can be tricky trying to figure out how to get there.

There are two main airports near Olympic National Park, Portland International Airport and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. If you choose to fly in, your airport destination will depend on your travel itinerary. There are many places to see within a 4-hour drive of the park.

Driving into Olympic National Park gives you the most freedom in how to spend your time, so I will also include some road trip ideas to add to your visit.

I’ve been traveling to Olympic, and all around the Pacific Northwest for years. I have written many posts about how to best travel to Olympic National Park and the top things to see. In this article, I’ll cover the best ways to arrive at the park and the top things to do in the area.

VISITING OLYMPIC AND NEED A GAME PLAN? CHECK OUT OUR ITINERARY.

Getting to Olympic National Park by Plane

The Olympic Peninsula is a remote area of Washington, located in the northwestern corner. The most common way to visit the area is by taking a flight and renting a car. There are a few options for airports to fly into, depending on where else you want to travel.

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)

Flying into SeaTac is the most common airport used to visit Olympic National Park. It is the closest international airport, even though it is still a few hours away. Flying into Seattle opens up the possibility of visiting other popular areas of Washington, like the other national parks nearby or the city of Seattle.

• Distance/Drive Time: Estimated 2.5-3 hours, 126 miles to Port Angeles. 2.5 hours, 136 miles to Quinault
• Directions: Take I-5 S to WA-16 W, then take WA-3 N, WA-104 W, and US-101 to Port Angeles. Or follow I-5 S to WA-8 W and US-12 W, then follow 95190/Wynoochee Valley Rd until you reach Highway 101 N. Take a right onto South Shore Road to Lake Quinault.
• Direct Flights: With SeaTac being a major airport hub for the West Coast, there are plenty of options for direct flights.
• Pros: Less mileage on the drive, the ability to explore Seattle, and the proximity to other national parks like Mount Rainier or the North Cascades.
• Cons: Driving through the Seattle-Tacoma area is my worst nightmare. The drive time is unpredictable and could take up to 4 hours to arrive at Olympic National Park. The drive times vary throughout the day, and there is no way to predict how long it will actually take. I-5 is known for traffic moving at 10-20 mph for hours with really rough road conditions.

CHECK OUT: Driving in Olympic: 10 Things You Need to Know

Portland International Airport (PDX)

Another great option for visiting the Olympic National Park is to fly into Portland International Airport. If I were to fly in, this would be my top choice. From here, you can drive to the Oregon coast and take Highway 101 all the way to Olympic, or even take I-5 and have the option to detour to Mount St. Helens. This drive can even be combined with many waterfall hikes near Portland and along the Oregon-Washington border.

• Distance/Drive Time: About 3 hours, 181 miles to Quinault, 4 hours, 230 miles to Port Angeles
• Directions: Take I-5 N, use exit 88 from I-5 N, then follow US-12 W to 95190/Wynoochee Valley Rd until you reach Highway 101. Take a right on South Shore Road to Lake Quinault. To reach Port Angeles, take I-5 N to Hwy 101.
• Direct Flights: There are many direct flights from cities around the United States and other countries.
• Pros: The ability to explore Portland, or more of Oregon, on your visit. Less traffic than driving through Seattle and Tacoma. Portland International Airport is one of the top-rated airports in the US.
• Cons: Higher mileage on your drive.

William R. Fairchild International Airport (CLM)

There is an airport in Port Angeles; however, this airport only offers charter flights with planes seating up to 5 people. These charters range from $800 to $1,000 per person. Charters can be booked through Rite Bros.

• Distance/Drive Time: No drive time to Port Angeles.
• Direct Flights: To many cities along the Puget Sound, like Bellingham and Seattle.
• Pros: Ease of access to Olympic National Park without having to fight the big city traffic on I-5.
• Cons: It’s a smaller town, so rental car options may be limited. Higher-priced flights.

Getting to Olympic National Park by Ferry

If you are heading to Port Angeles from Seattle, there is an option to take a ferry for a portion of your journey. The ferry runs from Seattle Ferry Terminal to Bainbridge Island. The ferry allows you to bring your car for an additional fee. Rates for bringing you and your vehicle start at ~$18, with an option to add additional passengers for ~$10 per person. The crossing time for the ferry is about an hour. While this option doesn’t save you any travel time, it does allow you to skip the hassle of driving along I-5. This is a popular route for people traveling to Olympic National Park. See the Washington State Department of Transportation website for more information.

• Distance/Drive Time: Total time from Seattle to Port Angeles via driving and the ferry is about 2.5 to 3 hours.
• Directions to the Ferry Terminal from SeaTac: Take WA-509 N and Hwy 99 N to Alaskan Way S in Seattle. Take the Alaska Way S exit from Hwy 99 N, and continue 0.5 miles to the Seattle Ferry Terminal. Once you arrive on Bainbridge Island, get on WA-3 N from WA-305 N, take WA-104 W, and Highway 101 to Port Angeles.
• Pros: Not having to drive on I-5, there is a possibility to spot whales, and you get to have the added experience of taking the ferry.
• Cons: Doesn’t save much time. During peak season, there can be up to an hour wait to get onto the ferry.

Getting to Olympic National Park by Car + Road Trip Ideas

Road-tripping is my favorite way to arrive at Olympic National Park. Driving yourself gives you opportunities to see towns and places along the way. You can choose to make a trip out to visit all of the national parks in Washington, or you can drive up to Washington from Oregon. Here are some road trip ideas from Olympic National Park.

DON’T MISS: Perfect Olympic Peninsula Road Trip (Map + Where to Stay)

Washington State National Park Road Trip

Mount Rainier National Park

• Distance/Drive Time from Port Angeles: 166 miles, or about 3.5 hours
• Distance/Drive Time from Quinault: 151 miles, or about 3 hours
• Distance/Drive Time from Seattle: 76 miles, or about 1.5 hours

A visit to Mount Rainier National Park rewards you with incredible sights. The mountain itself sits at an elevation of 14,410 feet and can be seen towering over the Seattle area. I highly recommend visiting the park for a closer look at Mount Rainer and the beauty it has to offer. The Sunrise Entrance to the park requires a timed entry reservation in 2025, which can be done through recreation.gov; these are typically booked up a month in advance. The rest of the park is accessible without a reservation.

CHECK OUT: Which Entrance Should I Use to Visit Mount Rainier?

Must-see spots at Mount Rainier National Park:

• Paradise: Paradise is the most famous and scenic part of Mount Rainier. This area is known for wildflowers covering the mountainside, with peak bloom happening between July and August.
• Hike the Skyline Trail: The Skyline Trail offers a close-up view of Mount Rainier while walking through wildflower meadows. This trail is a moderate, 5.6-mile loop with 1,700 feet of elevation gain.
• Visit Sunrise: Sunrise is the highest point in the park accessible by car. The parking lot sits at 6,400 feet. There are many hikes in this area, plus it provides stunning views at sunrise or sunset.

DON’T MISS: Quick and Easy Guide to Hiking in Mount Rainier

North Cascades National Park

• Distance/Drive Time from Port Angeles: 156 miles, or about 4 hours
• Distance/Drive Time from Quinault: 264 miles, or 4.5 hours
• Distance/Drive Time from Seattle: 107 miles, or about 2 hours

The North Cascades National Park is one of the least-visited national parks in the US. The North Cascades offer solitude while providing over 500,000 acres to explore. The North Cascades, nicknamed the “American Alps”, are known for rugged mountains and untouched wilderness. There are over 300 glaciers in the park, which is the most of any national park outside of Alaska.

Must-see spots at North Cascades National Park:

• North Cascades Scenic Highway: This highway is the main road that runs through North Cascades National Park. It is the only paved road in the park; there are many great hiking trails and viewpoints to stop at along the way.
• Visit the Newhalem Area: Newhalem is the main visitor center for North Cascades National Park. From here, you can hike many trails, including the Trail of the Cedars or Ladder Creek Falls. You can also see the Gorge Powerhouse, a hydroelectric dam that provides electricity to the city of Seattle.
• Ross Lake: Ross Lake is a remote, 22-mile-long lake. You can access the lake by parking at mile marker 134 on the North Cascades Highway. From here, you’ll walk 1 mile to reach the lake. Ross Lake is a popular destination for backpacking, kayaking, and swimming.
• Diablo Lake: While there is an option to hike a portion of Diablo Lake, there is an overlook accessible via the North Cascades Highway. Diablo Lake is known for its bright blue waters, which are caused by glacial flour, or the settlement of dust left behind by the glaciers.

Oregon Coast to Olympic National Park

If you’re traveling on I-5 through Oregon, the coast is about 1.5 hours away. If you are coming through Portland, the nearest coastal town is Tillamook.

• Distance/Drive Time from Tillamook to Port Angeles: 273 miles, or about 6 hours
• Distance/Drive Time from Tillamook to Quinault: 183 miles, or about 4 hours

There are many quaint coastal towns in Oregon. Each one offers something a little different, from cheese tasting to sea lion viewing to iconic beaches. This drive is one of my favorite things to do; there are many different places to visit, and it’s a choose-your-own-adventure type of drive. I’ll list my favorite stops along the coast, but there are many other spots you can stop at as well.

• Tillamook Creamery: If you’re visiting Tillamook, you have to stop at the Tillamook Creamery. They do offer tours at a cost, or you can do the free self-guided tour. You’ll learn about the process of making Tillamook cheese and ice cream, watch the production team hard at work, and get free samples at the end. There is a large gift shop with all things cheese-themed, an ice cream shop, and a full restaurant.
• Cannon Beach: Cannon Beach is a popular destination along the Oregon Coast. Haystack Rock grew famous from being featured in the opening scene of the movie The Goonies. There is a long beach here, with tide pool opportunities, and bird watching.
• Astoria: Astoria is the last town along the Oregon Coast before heading into Washington. There is an iconic bridge connecting the two states, which is 4 miles long.
• Newport Beach: Located 67 miles south of Tillamook, Newport Beach offers something unique: a sea lion dock. Here, you can watch sea lions right off the boardwalk. The town center also houses artsy gift shops all along the waterfront.

You can read more about driving the Oregon Coast in my article, Driving the Oregon Coast HWY 101: 10 Things to Know Before You Go.

Visiting Seattle and Olympic National Park

While a visit to Seattle may not be on your route to Olympic National Park, it is a quick detour. It’s easy to fill a day in Seattle with sightseeing and the many activities this city has to offer.

• Pike Place Market: The Pike Place Market is the oldest farmers’ market in Seattle that’s still in operation. The market is home to more than 200 vendors, selling a variety of items, like flowers, fresh fish, and art. There are also many photo opportunities, like the gum wall and the Pike Place Market sign.
• Seattle Space Needle: The Space Needle is one of the most iconic attractions in Seattle. An elevator takes you 605 feet into the air to an observation deck with glass walls. From here, you get a 360-degree view of Seattle. Tickets are required to enter and start at ~$37.50.
• Gas Works Park: Gas Works is an old industrial park that has been made public. It is a popular spot along Puget Sound to watch the sunset and hang out. This is also a popular spot for kite-flying. Throughout the summer, the park hosts concerts on the weekends.
• Kerry Park: Kerry Park offers the best views of downtown Seattle. There isn’t much of a park here, though; it’s more of an overlook with a few benches to sit on. It’s a great location to watch the sunset.

PRO TIP: While driving through the city center can be a bit stressful, with high traffic and limited parking, there are other options for reaching the city. My preferred way to travel to Seattle is to park south of town and take the Light Rail into the heart of downtown. Two options for reaching Seattle via the Light Rail are to park at the Tukwila station or take the Light Rail straight from the SeaTac Airport. Fares start at ~$3.00 one-way.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Are there any shuttles in the park? The only shuttle offered in Olympic National Park is from Port Angeles to Hurricane Ridge. This shuttle runs from late May to early September. This is to reduce the amount of traffic heading to Hurricane, as the roads are curvy and parking is limited.
• Do I need to have a car to visit Olympic National Park? Yes, you do need a car to visit Olympic National Park. The park is spread out in a way that would make it hard to get around without a vehicle.
• Is there cell service in Olympic National Park? Cell service is spotty in much of the Washington National Parks, so having maps downloaded will help with navigating the area.
• Do I need a National Parks Pass to visit Olympic National Park? Yes, there are limited places where you can purchase a pass in person. I suggest getting one from the Olympic National Park Visitor Center in Port Angeles before heading into the park. You can also purchase a pass online and have it shipped to you.

Ready to take a Trip to Olympic National Park?

We’ve created a step-by-step guide for visiting Olympic National Park, which includes everything you need to know before your visit. The guide will help you understand the layout of the park, gives you full day itineraries for the area, and includes over 60 maps of the Olympic Peninsula.