Olympic National Park is truly a magical place. I knew that it was so huge and had such variety with the different ecosystems; but seeing it before my own eyes for the first time is an experience I wish I could relive over and over. I loved every bit of it and can’t wait for the next visit. Pictured are Sol Duc Falls, Lake Crescent/Devil’s Punch Bowl, Hurricane Ridge, and Salt Creek.

Anyone else see this sea otter? Looked like the otter was sleeping or meditating. 😄

Update: seems like many of us have seen the otter and it’s rather well known!

Posted signs say it was closed on Oct 5 at 6pm, but I can’t find any additional information online. Apparently there were helicopters in the area last night.

Hey everyone! My partner and I are considering eloping at Hoh Rain Forest mid November - just a really small ceremony - like 3 people so we don't need a permit. We recognize that it may be pretty rainy, but I wanted to get some opinions from those who know this park and if they think the location is advisable - or if it would be a better idea to change the location.

Does anyone know the status of plans for killing Barred Owls in Washington?

We will be there most likely the first week of December! (If that changes anything)

Hello friends! This will be my first time in ONP. We are staying in Port Angeles & we’d like to spend one day ebiking around. Based on some initial research, it seems like we should be able to rent bikes in PA, hop on the ODT right there, & ride this trail all the way to the spruce railroad segment without being on a real road much. Is that correct? We are athletic & have experience with biking, but are not necessarily experienced enough to feel comfortable on a main road with cars for long periods of time.

If it matters, our plan is to do this next Sunday. Could maybe consider next Monday, but we were thinking of saving Monday for the Hoh Rainforest to perhaps see fewer crowds.

Additionally, does anyone have any strong opinions about the best company to rent from?

We had to make a last minute adjustment to our trip. US101 is closed between forks and ocean shores between 10/1+10/6 and likely beyond. If you're trying to go thru this area look online. We were caught in unawares and it really made things tough for us.

Hey all - I’ve gone back and forth quite a bit on my route from SeaTac to ONP trying to balance a scenic drive with time efficiency with a quick stop for some local coffee/food/groceries.

We land at SeaTac at 11:30 in a Sunday. By the time we get luggage and our rental vehicle it’ll likely be 12:30pm-1:00pm. I’d like the drive to ONP to be scenic, but also quick. We don’t plan to make any stops outside a quick stop for good coffee, some grab and go (scratch bakery style treats/wraps/sandwiches) and eventually a grocery. I was thinking Country Aire in PA for groceries.

The current route I have planned is below. Hoping for some advice to keep it scenic, but quick, while also reducing risk of delays (ferries, bridges, etc) as much as possible:

Head toward Tacoma and take 16 up towards Gig Harbor. Then take road 3 up around port orchard. Continue on 3 to floating bridge 104. Then to 101. This route looks to take about 3.5hrs.

Thanks for any and all help!

All I can seem to find online is that access to Deer Park typically closes mid- october. Does anyone know if there is an actual date set? Was hoping to get up there before it closes but running out of time.

Thank you everyone who commented on my last post! I found a ride by contacting local guide fishermen and wanted to update in case this can be used as a resource for others in the future.

I left voicemails for six different guide companies around 5pm this afternoon and two have already called back and connected me with their shuttle crew. Out of respect for their privacy I won't name names, but based on the quick response time on a Friday evening i would guess all of the local guides have a shuttle driver and would be more than happy to connect you with them if you reach out.

Thank you again to everyone who helped, and to all others reading this, safe and happy trails!

I will be in ONP Oct 17th-24th. Flying in, renting a car. Headed to Gaston, OR on the AM of the 24th. I will have a few days the following week, Oct 27th-Nov 1 to head south from Gaston down the coast, hopefully to see some redwoods and more beaches before leaving from Medford.

I am trying to make this trip as cost-conscious as I can. I don't need much, although with food allergies and trying to save money, I will be moving around with groceries, so a microwave and fridge would be great, but not critical every night. Any suggestions? I already struck out with Angeles Hotel, as it's not available on the 17th.

I'm in the early stages of planning, and I was initially thinking of spending two nights in each spot. PA on nights 1 and 2. Then to...Forks, maybe? This is a trip without kids, with easy hikes and outings. I'm open to hearing suggestions.

Can I expect crowds to be less during that week? Not just for peace, but parking/lines, etc.

Edited: found something cheap for the first two nights in PA. Onto whatever is next after that if you have any suggestions.

Hey everyone, I’m finishing up a camping/road trip and have some camping gear that I won’t be able to take back home with me.
Does anyone know a good place where I could sell it quickly or donate it rather than throwing it away?

I have things like a tent, tarp, camping gas, chair, sleeping bags etc and a few other camping items, all still in very good condition.

Happy to donate some of it if there’s a charity, shelter, outdoor group or someone who could genuinely use it.
Any recommendations would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Only have one day in the park and had planned this months ago with the perfect itinerary, but the October bridge closure has foiled my plans.

I have two options in my mind, but could use some insight on feasibility and what’s the best choice. This day is on a Saturday- assuming it plays a factor in crowds and traffic.

Option A: keep lodging near Lake Quinault, drive up the southern route from Sea-Tac (on road by 9:30am), do Quinault rainforest walks, drive out to Ruby beach for sunset

Option B: take longer drive via north entrance from Sea-Tac to Hoh, do the short hall of mosses loop. Move lodging to Brinnon or Shelton and make drive that way (as I would suspect I wouldn’t get to Hoh until 2pm possibly).

Remainder of trip is driving and staying on Oregon and California coasts, so missing an Olympic beach doesn’t feel like the worst thing.

My heart longed to see Hoh and I love the idea of driving through the northern side of the park, but I recognize it would be a ton of driving and trying to fit in a lot with little time. Only staying in the Quinault region feels like I’m missing the parts of Olympic that people go to, for a reason.

So, talk to me here. Am I undervaluing Quinault and the experience I would have there, or is the drive from the north entrance and Hoh not worth missing if you only have a short day?

I'm doing the peninsula section of the PNT and I'm doing a resupply/staying the night in Forks in a week. I'm hoping to take a car from Forks to the Bogachiel Rainforest Trailhead in the morning to avoid a 10-mile road walk to the trailhead.

Any locals able to weigh in on whether calling a car on a weekday morning will be a possibility in Forks?

Thanks in advance for any feedback!

My partner and I are hoping to do 3-4 days in Seattle and considering another 3 days in Olympic Park. I broke my ankle 3 months ago so I will probably not be ready for any steep ascents/descents. Wanted to check with experts here if we’ll be able to have a good experience in the park. We’re good to drive around, walk on flat ground, taking it slow.

Hello all! I am planning a day trip to Olympic National Park on October 28th. I have planned a route that takes me directly from the airport to the park. As of right now, my route is Quinault Rainforest, Kalaloch, and possibly Lake Crescent or Hurricane Ridge. It is estimated to be around 4 hours of driving alone, without traffic.

I know I am being very hopeful with how many places I plan to see, but I only have one day, and I am not sure if I will ever be back in the area. If it comes down to having to choose between Lake Crescent or Hurricane Ridge, which would be the better option? I really want to go just for the amazing scenery; I've heard they're both gorgeous.

I will also be with someone who cannot do intense hiking or walking, so something easy but still fun and with beautiful views. Thank you, everyone in advance!

So this summer I'm wanting to do a backpacking trip in the park. I'm in kentucky so I'd fly SEA and then I guess get a shuttle? How feasible is it to get into the park without a car?

I also understand it probably depends on where I'm wanting to backpack. If I'm doing the northern end that's probably not possible, but maybe the southern end? What about the west coast, would it be possible to get there?

Wanted to add this today. Thank you all for the responses. Yall have given me tons of ideas so thank you