Olympic National Park is a Pacific Northwest haven of varying landscapes and breathtaking views. The park’s beaches are remote and decorated with driftwood, rugged rocks, and soft sand.

The lush green forests in Olympic National Park seem stuck in eternal spring season. It’s undoubtedly thanks to the park’s annual rainfall – parts of the Olympic Peninsula get 12 feet of rain per year!

If you love outdoor adventures, you’re going to love it here. You’ll find tons of stuff to do at Olympic National Park – camping, fishing, hiking, and winter sports on some of the highest peaks in the park are just some of the options.

Here’s our list of 13 epic things to do in Olympic National Park.

Best Things to Do Olympic National Park

1. Hoh Rainforest

In the gorgeous Hoh Rainforest you’ll find vibrant green moss that covers old, twisted trees. Parts of the rainforest have a spooky woodland feel.

It’s a great place to come for a hike! There are numerous hiking trails, like the 0.8 mile loop Hall of Mosses Trail, or the Spruce Nature Trail which is 1.2 miles long and takes you to the Hoh River.

If you’re keen on doing any multi-day hikes the Hoh River Trail is a great option.

Another reason people visit the Hoh Rain Forest is the wildlife. Herds of Roosevelt elk roam freely between the trees, and the river is the perfect place to come fishing for salmon and steelhead.

Sound like your kind of place? Then make it a multiple day trip and stay at one of the campgrounds in Olympic National Park.

LEARN MORE: Best Things to Do in Port Townsend Washington

Hall of Mosses trail at Hoh Rain Forest.

Hoh Rain Forest features several hiking trails and nature walks like the Hall of Mosses

2. Rialto Beach

Rialto Beach is one of many gorgeous beaches in Olympic National Park.

Like at Ruby beach, there are huge sea stacks sticking out of the Pacific and waves rolling onto a shoreline of rugged rocks and sand.

There are enormous pieces of driftwood along the shore, sometimes entire trees.

Forget sunbathing and ice cream, you’ll want to bring your camera and binoculars! Don’t forget to keep your eyes pierced for the fantastic wildlife on land, as well as the gigantic creatures that pass by out at sea.

Rialto Beach at sunset - Olympic National Park.

Sea stacks and giant driftwood at Rialto beach sunset

3. Lake Crescent

Lake Crescent was carved out by glaciers, leaving behind deep clear waters.

The imposing mountains surrounding the lake and the dense forests along them combine to make stunning, panoramic views.

There are countless recreational activities on offer too, from hikes in the forested mountains and along the lake’s shore, canoeing, kayaking, swimming, or simply sitting and taking in the beautiful views.

Looking for accommodation at Olympic National Park? The Lake Crescent Lodge is a popular choice. It’s also the trailhead for some of the best hikes in the region, like Marymere Falls and Mount Storm King.

Canoes at Lake Crescent on a cloudy day in Olympic National Park.

Go kayaking or canoeing at Lake Crescent – you’ll be amazed how clear the water is!

4. Marymere Falls

You can get to Marymere Falls from the trails that start near Storm King Ranger Station or Lake Crescent Lodge.

The routes are great for everyone, from experienced hikers to families looking for something that everyone can join in on.

Walking to the falls will allow you to make the most of the surroundings as you’ll hike through the forested mountains around Lake Crescent along the way.

Just before you get to Marymere Falls you’ll ascend a set of natural stairs that lead to the waterfall’s lower and upper viewpoints.

The mossy rocks and gushing Marymere Falls certainly have a Lord of the Rings feel to them.

Marymere Falls is an short easy hike at Olympic National Park

From Lake Crescent hike the trail to Marymere waterfall

5. Hurricane Ridge

Hurricane Ridge is up there with the best viewpoints in the Olympic National Park.

From the top, you’re greeted with 360 views of the forested mountains and snowy peaks in the distance.

If you’re an adrenaline seeker looking for a more extreme adventure, brave the ridge in the winter months and put your skills to the test. Snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and sledding are all on the agenda.

You can drive to the top of Hurricane Ridge along the Hurricane Ridge Road from mid-May to October, but you’ll need to check if the road is open if you’re going in winter.

They have lots of handy information at the Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center and at the National Park website.

Snow capped mountains at Hurricane Ridge.

Enjoy the stunning panoramic views at Hurricane Ridge

6. Madison Falls

Tired of walking along the beach or through thick forests? Come and see this gorgeous waterfall instead!

The gushing, clear water makes its way down stunning mossy rocks, and the fall is surrounded by bright green vegetation.

You can walk there along the Madison Falls Trail, which is a quick and super easy 0.2 mile walk.

One cool thing about Madison Falls Trail is that dogs are allowed on the trail – bear in mind they aren’t allowed on most of the hiking routes in Olympic National Park.

7. La Push Beaches – First, Second, and Third Beach

The three beaches near the La Push community are collectively known as the La Push Beaches.

They’re called the First, Second, and Third Beach. There are jaw-dropping views of the ocean, woodlands, and rocky Pacific coast from all three beaches.

The only beach with direct car access is First Beach. You must walk a little to get to the other two beaches as they’re more secluded.

Second Beach is surrounded by fantastic woodland trails and sea stacks, while Third Beach is the best place for tide pooling, watch for colorful starfish hiding among the rocks.

Crying Lady Rock at Second Beach La Push Washington.

Visit the La Push beaches for scenic beach walks like this one at Second Beach

8. Quinault Rain Forest

Because it’s part of a temperate rain forest the Olympic National Park gets a lot of rain, and that’s why it has such luscious green forests.

Quinault Rain Forest is mossy and magical, and the best part? The forest is the home of the World’s largest Sitka spruce tree! This ancient tree is more than 1,000 years old and 191-feet tall.

It’s not just the enchanting woodlands and impressive trees that attract visitors though, there are also incredible waterfalls, like Merriman Falls, within its boundaries that you can’t miss. As you stroll through the forest, keep an eye out for marmots.

9. Sol Duc Falls

Love waterfalls? Hike the short easy nature trail to the amazing Sol Duc Falls – one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Olympic National Park.

You’ll walk through old-growth forest in the Sol Duc Valley of Olympic National Park to reach the waterfalls. This is a wonderful kid-friendly trail suitable for all skill levels.

Sol Duc Falls trail is only 1.6 miles out and back. Enjoy!

Sol Duc Falls Olympic National Park places to see.

Take a short nature trail to the beautiful Sol Duc falls in Olympic National Park

10. Ruby Beach

*** NPS website: Ruby Beach entrance road and parking area is closed until September 16, 2022 for a construction project.

Olympic National Park has an array of stunning beaches, and Ruby Beach is one of the best.

Come and spend a few relaxing hours here walking along the beach looking for pretty shells and enjoying the picture-perfect views.

Tall, chimney-like sea stacks reach out of the ocean and look particularly impressive when the sun is going down. The beach is a mix of big piles of driftwood, soft sand, and little pebbles.

There’s always something beautiful to look at on Ruby Beach!

Ruby Beach at dusk in Olympic National Park.

Ruby Beach is one of many gorgeous beaches in Olympic National Park

11. Cape Flattery

Cape Flattery is on the northwest tip of the Olympic Peninsula, near the town of Neah Bay in the Makah Reservation.

Before you go you’ll need to get a Makah Tribe parking permit – you can get them from the Makah Museum, Washburn’s General Store, and other spots in Neah Bay.

The cape itself is a stunning little ocean inlet with rocky, forested shores and enormous sea stacks emerging out of the ocean.

If you want the best views, come at sunset! The walk through the woods to the boardwalk along the cliffs of this impressive piece of coast is a short and easy 1.5 mile round trip.

12. Merriman Falls

Merriman Falls is a 40-foot fall in the Quinault Lake and River Valley. You can get there easily by road, so you can admire a stunning waterfall without putting yourself through an arduous hike to get there.

The waterfall is surrounded by bright ferns, dark green mossy rocks, and stunning old trees – you’ll feel like you’ve just stepped into a fairytale.

It would be hard to get lost on the way here too, from highway 101 you just need to drive about 6 miles on South Shore Road.

You can’t miss the waterfall – you’ll see it from your vehicle, on your right.

13. Kalaloch’s Beach

Think you’ve already seen all the best beaches in Olympic National Park? Well, we’ve got one more in store. Kalaloch Beach is vast and far sandier than most of the park’s beaches.

It still has the characteristic sea stacks and rocks, but there’s more space to walk and chill out on the beach.

This fabulous beach is just a short walk from the gazebo at Kalaloch Lodge. The best thing about it is that it’s known to be one of the best spots for whale watching. Keep your eyes on the horizon!

Final Thoughts Things to Do Olympic National Park

As you can see there is no shortage of great outdoor adventures in Olympic National Park. You’ll experience stunning views on the coast, in the forests, and in the mountains. Now you simply need to decide how many days to spend at Olympic National Park so you can do all the things you want to do!