Driving in Olympic: 10 Things You Need to Know

Olympic National Park is a vast park with many areas to explore. If you’re planning on making a drive through Olympic, it can be a little overwhelming trying to plan everything and figuring out where to go and what you need to know.

When visiting Olympic, it is helpful to know how to get around the park, when is the best time to visit, what to expect on the drive, and what amenities are in the area. Included in this article are also essential tips for visiting and the best spots to see along the way.

I’ve been traveling to Olympic National Park for years, hiking and driving all around the park. Keep reading to learn about my top 10 things you need to know before visiting.

PLANNING A TRIP TO OLYMPIC AND NEED A GAME PLAN? CHECK OUT OUR ITINERARY.

1. Understanding the Layout of Olympic National Park

I think one of the biggest things you need to know before you visit is how Olympic National Park is laid out. Many people base their trip on Google Maps’ predictions of estimated drive time. These are wildly inaccurate and do not take into consideration things like traffic, taking detours to visit places like the Hoh Rain Forest or Sol Duc Falls, and any construction that is happening in the park.

Most maps also make it hard to comprehend just how big the park is. Olympic National Park is about a million acres. The drive is essentially one big circle with offshoots taking you further into the park. These offshoot roads are one-way in and one-way out.

Olympic National Park is surrounded by the ocean on two sides, which means you can only access the park from the east side or the south side. The eastern side is accessed via Port Townsend. Port Townsend is the “Gateway to the Olympics”; it grants access to Hurricane Ridge, or you can start your drive from here headed west towards Lake Crescent. The south side of the park is located by Lake Quinault. From here, you’ll drive north towards Kalaloch and beyond.

You will most likely start your drive from the Seattle area, Aberdeen, or Portland. From these starting locations, expect to drive 2.5 or more hours just to arrive at Olympic National Park. If you are driving Olympic National Park as a loop, the drive is around 6 hours with no stops. If you drive the park as an out-and-back from Port Angeles to Quinault, it is about a 5-hour drive without stops. Read more about How to Get to Olympic National Park (Road Trip Ideas + Airports).

CHECK OUT: Perfect Olympic Peninsula Road Trip (Map + Where to Stay)

2. How to Get Around Olympic: Public Transportation and RVs

There is minimal public transportation in Olympic National Park, so having your own vehicle is a must! With that being said, for the right, creative person, you could get around on a bike or by walking many miles a day. There is a public transportation system through the county that connects Port Angeles and Forks while making other pit stops like Lake Crescent. This bus does not take you to the majority of the park, though, and is mostly used by locals to commute.

There is a seasonal shuttle that goes from Port Angeles to Hurricane Ridge, but this is currently the only shuttle provided by the National Park Service. This is designed to reduce the amount of traffic on Hurricane Ridge, because it is a very busy location with minimal parking. If you want to take this shuttle, it’s only ~$2 round trip, and there is free parking at the transit center. The Hurricane Ridge shuttle runs from late May through September 1st.

Bringing an RV to Olympic National Park can be a great experience; however, it limits the places that you can go. Roughly 3/4th of the park would still be accessible, and camping options are out there, but not as many options as someone traveling in a smaller vehicle. Some of the places with limited RV accessibility are the North Shore Road of Quinault and the parking lot for Hurricane Hill at Hurricane Ridge. Finding a campground with availability for housing over 21 feet might be difficult as well. If you have a longer rig and need ample parking, I suggest booking your campsite as soon as possible.

3. When is the Best Time to Visit Olympic? Road Conditions

The ideal time to visit is going to vary between people, depending on what you are seeking during your visit. Fewer crowds? Good weather? Snowy mountain tops?

It is possible to visit Olympic National Park year-round. With Olympic being a temperate rainforest, the lower elevations get minimal snow, but they get about 10 feet of rain every year. The only area of the park completely closed during the winter is the Sol Duc Falls road. Even Hurricane Ridge, the snowiest place in the park, opens the road on weekends for snow sports and tubing.

My favorite times to visit are mid-May or late September. Both of these times offer fewer crowds, but are outside of the extremely wet season that the Olympic Peninsula is known for. There will still be rainy days, but you’ll likely find sunshine during your visit, too.

The only downside of visiting in May is that spring snow melt brings rushing waters that can be destructive to the park, causing landslides and unexpected road wash-outs, which leads to more closures. So, visiting in May can mean having to be more flexible and possibly having to change your itinerary last minute. Also, while Hurricane Ridge is open during this time, there is still a significant amount of snow, making trails hard to access.

Late September is much more manageable, with construction finished in the park, more areas are open and accessible, plus you get to see the mushrooms thriving and trees start changing colors. The first snowfall isn’t usually until October, so you don’t have to worry about the springtime melt off like you do in May. You do get more moody coastlines and fog-dense forests, though, as nature starts to prepare for winter.

Find out more about when to visit in our article The Best (and Worst) Times of Year to Visit Olympic National Park.

4. Where are the Entrance Stations?

While Olympic National Park is a vast, remote wilderness with many access points, there are only a few entrance stations. Meaning you’ll need to purchase a National Park Pass online or stop by one of the entrance stations or the main Olympic National Park Visitor Center in Port Angeles.

The entrance stations are located at the Hoh Rain Forest via Upper Hoh Road, at the Sol Duc Valley, and at Hurricane Ridge. Other popular areas like Quinault, La Push, and Kalaloch do not have entrance stations, but do have Ranger Stations which are open limited hours during the summer when staffing allows. You can read more in our article Which Entrance Should I Use For Olympic National Park? Olympic’s 5 Entrances Explained.

5. Do You Need Reservations?

No reservations are required to visit Olympic National Park. However, you will most likely need a reservation for camping in the park throughout the summer. Campground reservations are through recreation.gov. Some campgrounds like Heart O’ the Hills, South Beach, and Ozette are first-come, first-served year-round.

Camping reservations are released in three tiers: 6 months, 2 weeks, and 4 days in advance.

6. What to Expect on the Drive

The drive around the Olympic Peninsula via Highway 101 is fairly smooth. It’s the spur roads that are a little less maintained. I remember my last drive to the Hoh Rain Forest was so bumpy and filled with potholes, I couldn’t even drive the speed limit, which was only 35mph. This goes for the North Shore of Lake Quinault as well. The park has resorted to spray painting circles around the potholes, which can be hard to see in direct sunlight. My advice would be to drive slowly and take your time.

As far as traffic goes, it’s fairly minimal throughout the park. Lines can start forming at the Hoh Entrance Station and the Hurricane Ridge Entrance Station, but most places in the park are not as crowded as other National Parks that I’ve visited. I will say, logging is a huge industry on the Olympic Peninsula, so logging trucks tend to hold up traffic quite a bit. The majority of Highway 101 is a two-lane highway, so use caution when passing.

In the spring and summer, there is construction happening everywhere. Many parts of Highway 101 are down to one lane during this time. There is generally a traffic light directing traffic through the construction zones. These traffic lights have wait times on them, letting you know about how long it’ll be until your side turns green. I’ve seen the wait times be up to 26 minutes before.

Cell service throughout Olympic National Park is limited. It is possible to go days without cell service, depending on where you are visiting. Downloading offline maps of the area has saved me many times.

7. Gas Stations and EV Charging

The majority of Olympic National Park is remote wilderness with limited amenities. It’s important that you track your mileage and take advantage of gas stations when you see them. Gas Stations along Highway 101 are located in Port Angeles, Forks, and Amanda Park. There are a couple of other gas stations along the route that are randomly placed. I will note that the gas station in Forks is priced above average, so fueling up in Port Angeles or Amanda Park will save you a little money.

There are a few EV charging stations in the area as well. There is a charging station at the Kalaloch Lodge and Mercantile, in Forks at the Dew Drop Inn, Lake Crescent Lodge, and several locations in Port Angeles.

8. What About Food?

For most visitors, Olympic National Park isn’t a day trip; it’s a multi-day experience. It’s important to note that grocery stores and restaurants are limited and are more on the high end of the price scale because of the remoteness of the area. Many dishes are ~$20+ per meal.

I always suggest stocking up on groceries at the beginning of your trip. Preparing breakfast and lunch will save you time and money throughout your trip. Each area of the park does have at least one restaurant, though, whether it’s offered through a lodge or locally owned. The exception to this is Hurricane Ridge, where the nearest restaurant is in Port Angeles, 18 miles away.

Grocery stores are located in Port Angeles, Forks, and Aberdeen. These towns are also hubs for things like restaurants and gift shops. Find out our recommendations for where to eat in our article Where to Eat In and Around Olympic National Park.

9. Must-See Stops Along the Way

There are three main ecosystems within the Olympic National Park: the beaches, dense forests, and sub-alpine terrain. If you don’t have time to visit every section of the park, I recommend stopping to experience each of these three environments.

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Beaches in Olympic National Park

There are a few beaches to visit in Olympic National Park. The easiest to access are Kalaloch and Ruby Beaches. Both of these are located right along Highway 101. These two beaches are only 4 miles apart. They provide ease of access with short trails to the beach. Ruby beach is known for its sea stacks and tide pooling opportunities. Kalaloch is my go-to sunset beach. At Kalaloch, you can park at the campground day-use area and walk right to the beach. There are other beaches, further from Highway 101, like La Push and Rialto, but they do require more of a detour.

DISCOVER: A Perfect 6 Day Itinerary for Olympic (For First Timers)

Visit the Forests of Olympic

There are several areas that lead you into the forests of Olympic National Park. These are the most diverse areas within the park, each offering a different atmosphere. The most popular forest to visit is the Hoh Rain Forest, which features moss-covered trees next to the gushing Hoh River. My favorite forest to explore in the park is the Quinault Rain Forest. This area features many waterfalls, rushing streams, and solitude on your forest walks, as this is a less-visited area of the park.

This area also features Lake Quinault, which is a glacially fed lake that offers additional exploring, like paddling and swimming. Lake Crescent is also a great stopping point if you like forests, lakes, and waterfalls. Lake Crescent, which is also a glacially fed lake, has several pull-offs along Highway 101. There is also a main parking area at the Storm King Ranger Station, which offers lakeside parking, hiking trails, and a boat ramp.

Sub-Alpine Terrain

While there are many backcountry hiking trails throughout the park that lead you to the mountain tops, the easiest to access is Hurricane Ridge. This is the only area in the park that you can drive high above tree line, rewarding you with sweeping views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. The drive is 18 miles from Port Angeles via the Hurricane Ridge Road. This cliffside drive is well worth the detour!

10. Essential Tips for a Successful Trip

• When should I start my day? Because Olympic National Park is so spread out and the hiking trails tend to take a couple of hours, I recommend starting your day early to get the most out of your trip, especially if you want to make it back to camp before dark.
• What should I wear? Always dress in layers. Olympic gets 120 inches of rainfall a year, and the trails tend to stay muddy. So, sturdy hiking boots or rain boots will carry you a long way.
• What should I pack? With limited food and water options in the park, it’s wise to pack water and food for your adventures.
• Should I bring my dog? The majority of hiking trails within the park do not allow dogs. All of the campgrounds allow dogs, though. So, I’d say, bring them if you aren’t planning on hiking much, but leave them at home if you are more of a hiker than a sight seer.
• What if I have physical limitations? There is plenty to see from the car and the roadways in Olympic. The most accessible places are Kalaloch Beach, Lake Crescent, Lake Quinault, and Hurricane Ridge. These places offer excellent views without having to wander too far.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can I just drive through X without paying for a park pass? Yes, you can drive the perimeter of the park without a National Park Pass, but you do need a pass to access the beaches and trails. You cannot drive to the Hoh Rain Forest, Sol Duc Valley, or Hurricane Ridge without a pass, as there are entrance stations here.
• Is driving in X scary? The only part of the park that may be intimidating to drive is Hurricane Ridge Road. This road is 18 miles long, gaining about 5,000 feet of elevation with tight, windy curves. Otherwise, the rest of the park is fairly straight, although you may encounter narrow parts of the road.
• Is it hard to drive in X? No, the drive through Olympic is pretty straightforward. Every part of the park is well marked.
• Do I need 4-wheel drive? No. The only place that may require 4-wheel drive is on Obstruction Point Road at Hurricane Ridge, but this road is an optional offshoot allowing you to drive along the ridge of a mountain.

Whether you’re a first-timer to Olympic National Park or you’ve visited before, these 10 tips will give you an insight into updated conditions throughout the park and some recommended tips for your visit. The best tip I can provide, though, is just to visit. It’s an incredible park with lots to see and do.

What Else Do I Need to Know?

Most travelers want to visit the most popular sites and still avoid the crowds. We created a step-by-step itinerary so you can visit the best places at the right times.