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The headline things to do in Olympic National Park

From the Olympic National Park guide — these are the items that anchor a 1-day visit. For the full breakdown, read the Olympic National Park travel guide.

1. Hoh Rain Forest — Hoh (west)

   The signature temperate rainforest experience — 12-14 feet of rain a year produce moss-draped Sitka spruce and bigleaf maple cathedrals up to 300 feet tall. The Hall of Mosses Trail (0.8 miles) and Spruce Nature Trail (1.2 miles) are the easy classics; the Hoh River Trail extends 17 miles to Glacier Meadows on Mount Olympus. The Hoh sits 90 minutes from US-101 down a dead-end spur and the visitor center fills early in summer.

2. Hurricane Ridge — Hurricane Ridge (north)

   A 17-mile drive south from Port Angeles climbs to a 5,242-foot alpine ridge with the parks best mountain views. Looking south reveals the heart of the Olympics including 7,980-foot Mount Olympus; looking north on a clear day you see across the Strait of Juan de Fuca to Vancouver Island. The Hurricane Hill Trail (3.2 miles round trip) takes you a bit higher; in winter, modest downhill skiing operates weekends.

3. Ruby Beach — Kalaloch coast

   The most photographed beach in the park — a Pacific cove studded with sea stacks, driftwood logs the size of trucks, and red-toned sand on incoming tides. Easily reached by a short walk from the US-101 pullout. Best at low tide for tidepooling around the central sea stack and at sunset for the iconic silhouette shot.

4. Rialto Beach & Hole in the Wall — Mora coast

   A wild Pacific beach with offshore sea stacks and a 1.5-mile walk north to Hole in the Wall, a sea-arch through a headland that opens up only at low tide. The beach itself is all polished rocks, drift logs, and crashing surf. Bring a tide chart and waterproof boots.

5. Lake Crescent — Lake Crescent (north)

   A glacier-carved lake 12 miles long and over 600 feet deep, with water so clear and low in nitrogen that it appears electric blue. The historic Lake Crescent Lodge (1916) sits on the south shore — a classic FDR-era log lodge. The Marymere Falls Trail (1.7 miles round trip) starts from the lodge area; Mount Storm King above adds an optional steep scramble.

6. Sol Duc Hot Springs & Sol Duc Falls — Sol Duc Valley

   A small hot springs resort tucked in old-growth forest, with three soaking pools open to day-use visitors. From the resort, an easy 1.6-mile round-trip trail leads to Sol Duc Falls — a four-channel cascade dropping into a slot canyon, one of the most photographed waterfalls in Washington. Combine soaking and hiking in a single afternoon.

7. Quinault Rain Forest — Quinault (south)

   The Hohs quieter southern cousin — equally lush rainforest along Lake Quinault, with the historic 1926 Lake Quinault Lodge as the base. Worlds-largest specimens of multiple tree species (Sitka spruce, Western red cedar, Douglas fir) all stand within a few miles of the lodge. The Quinault Loop Trail (4 miles) and the Quinault Big Cedar are easy musts.

8. Shi Shi Beach & Point of the Arches — Northwest coast

   A 4-mile round-trip hike (with permit) from the Makah Indian Reservation to one of the most spectacular wilderness beaches on the West Coast. Point of the Arches is a series of dramatic offshore sea stacks. The trail crosses Makah land — a Makah recreation pass is required.

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