The Perfect One Day in Olympic National Park

Olympic National Park is a stunning national park in Washington state, covering over one million acres, and has a diverse landscape, including a rugged coastline, glaciated mountains, and lush rainforests. Although you could spend weeks exploring everything it offers, you can see most must-see attractions by spending one day in Olympic National Park. This guide has everything you need to know about how to spend the perfect one day in Olympic National Park!

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Tips for Spending One Day in Olympic National Park

Start your day early. Olympic National Park has over 2 million visitors per year, so the park is crowded, especially during the summer months. I recommend starting your one day in Olympic National Park early, so you have the most time exploring the park and avoid congestion at the must-see attractions.
Don’t skip out on sunset. There are way too many beautiful sunset spots in Olympic National Park for you to skip out on seeing one if you have time in your itinerary. Olympic National Park is on the coast of Washington, which means you can see incredible sunsets over the ocean. There are also plenty of beautiful sunset spots in the mountains!
Pack layers. The weather in Olympic National Park can change quickly, so it is crucial to be prepared and pack layers, especially if you are hiking. The weather in the mountains can be unpredictable, so you should make sure to have layers just in case!
Buy the America the Beautiful Annual Pass. If you are visiting more national parks on your trip or within the year, I highly recommend buying the American the Beautiful Annual Pass. It allows you into any national park and federal recreation land for a year!
Always remember to leave no trace. It’s crucial to pack out what you pack in and leave no trash. Some spots have trash bins, so you can easily throw your trash away. If they don’t have trash bins, you can throw your trash away at a nearby gas station or convenience store.

What to Pack for One Day in Olympic National Park

Hiking Boots: If you want comfort and support on your trip, hiking boots are the go to.
Hiking Socks: Having moisture-wicking and comfortable hiking socks are just as important for exploring.
Hiking Backpack: You need something to carry all your food, clothes, and anything else you need while adventuring, so having a supportive hiking backpack is crucial.
Hydration Reservoir/Water Bottles: While hiking or just exploring, it is important to have enough water! I always pack a hydration reservoir.
Jackets: The weather is unpredictable, so I always pack a rain jacket and insulated jacket.
Ten Essentials: The Ten Essentials are crucial for hiking!
Microspikes: If you plan on winter hiking, you will need to bring microspikes.
Snowshoes: Also if you hike in the winter, you may need snowshoes.

Where to Stay Near Olympic National Park

If you are spending the night near Olympic National Park, Port Angeles and Forks are the best places to stay. They have plenty of lodging options, restaurants, and gas stations, and they are near many must-see attractions. Port Angeles is in the northern section, while Forks is in the west near the ocean. There are also many other cute towns near Olympic National Park with accommodations!

If you have or can rent camping gear or a campervan, I highly recommend it because there are campgrounds close to Olympic National Park. If you are interested in renting a campervan, I highly recommend renting from Escape Campervans!

Port Angeles Hotels:

Port Angeles Campgrounds:

Forks Hotels:

Forks Campgrounds:

The Perfect One Day in Olympic National Park

If you are flying into Washington, the closest airport to Olympic National Park is the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. From there, you can either drive into the park or take a ferry. The quickest option depends on how long the ferry lines are because they can be very long, especially during peak season.

Once you are in the park, you will spend the entire day exploring, so I recommend getting everything you need ahead of time, including food. Olympic National Park is huge, and you will explore most of it in one day, so you will be driving for over five hours to get to every attraction. Starting your day early in the morning will help you see the most attractions. Get ready for an epic itinerary with mountain views, waterfalls, and beaches!

Hurricane Ridge

If you can be in Olympic National Park for sunrise, I highly recommend it! Hurricane Ridge is a 17-mile road that leads to a beautiful viewpoint overlooking the mountains. I recommend giving yourself more time than you think you need to get to the top of Hurricane Ridge because although it is a 17-mile road, you cannot go fast on it.

Hurricane Ridge is the most accessible mountain area, so it is a great sunrise spot for everyone! Because it is easy to get to, it can get very crowded. It is best to visit for sunrise or sunset, so you can avoid long wait times to begin the drive. Sometimes if Hurrican Ridge becomes overcrowded, they will stop traffic from entering!

If you want to explore, you can hike the 3.2-mile Hurricane Hill Trail! The easy trail begins near the Hurricane Ridge Visitors Center and follows an interpretive trail, providing information about the towns and mountains you can see. It eventually leads you up to Hurricane Hill, where you can see the Bailey Range, Port Angeles, and Vancouver Island on a clear day!

hurricane hill trail hiking guide

hurricane ridge in olympic national park

NOTE: I recommend picking one or two of the below waterfalls for your one day in Olympic National Park.

Madison Falls

Madison Falls is an often overlooked waterfall in Olympic National Park. The beautiful 50-foot waterfall rivals the beauty of other more popular waterfalls. The hike to Madison Falls is only 0.2 miles roundtrip, making it a quick and easy stop to add to your Olympic National Park 2-day itinerary. It is an easy walk to a beautiful waterfall, so do not overlook it!

Marymere Falls

Marymere Falls is another waterfall in Olympic National Park and is often considered the most beautiful waterfall! The 1.8-mile roundtrip trail loops you to two beautiful viewpoints of the 90-foot waterfall. I highly recommend going to both, but if you only want to go to one, the lower viewpoint has a better view, in my opinion. The trail is easy to follow, and you will be in awe of the beauty of Marymere Falls!

Sol Duc Falls

Sol Duc Falls is one of the most photographed waterfalls in Olympic National Park. These incredibly photogenic 48-foot falls attract thousands of photographers each year. And the best part? These stunning falls are easy to visit! The 1.6-mile roundtrip trail is easy to follow and well-maintained, so it is great for everyone! The best time to visit these is after or during the rainy season.

Rialto Beach

Rialto Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in Olympic National Park that has everything from sea stacks in the ocean to huge pieces of driftwood. You can enjoy the views near the parking lot or hike to the Hole in the Wall. The 4-mile roundtrip trail follows along the shores of Rialto Beach towards the towering sea stacks standing in the ocean, including the infamous Hole in the Wall. The Hole in the Wall is a classic photo location where you can stand in a rock hole with the ocean in the background.

If you decide to hike to the Hole in the Wall, I recommend checking the tides. You want to avoid hiking near high tide because the trail is inaccessible. There usually is a posting near the bathrooms with the tide schedule!

Second Beach

La Push has three beaches: Third Beach, Second Beach, and First Beach. Since Third Beach takes the longest to get to with a 3.6-mile roundtrip trail, I recommend skipping it and visiting the other two beaches. Second Beach is the most beautiful of the three and has one of the best views of sea stacks. The 2-mile roundtrip trail brings you along many switchbacks down a steep hill before leading you to the beach. Once you arrive at Second Beach, you can relax and take in the beautiful views of the epic sea stacks in the ocean. One of the sea stacks has a hole that many people photograph for sunset as the sun shines through it!

First Beach

First Beach is the easiest beach to access of the three because it does not require hiking. It features large pieces of driftwood and sea stacks in the ocean. Because this is the easiest to access, it tends to be busy, but it is a great spot to relax!

Hoh Rainforest

It is time to head away from the ocean for a scenery change! Hoh Rainforest is one of the most beautiful areas in Olympic National Park with its lush green forests. It used to be part of a large rainforest that spanned from California to Alaska!

The most popular and easiest way to explore it is hiking the Hall of Mosses Trail. The 0.8-mile-roundtrip trail loops you through stunning old-growth forests and moss-draped trees. If you want another easy hike, the Spruce Nature Trail is perfect. The easy 1.2-mile roundtrip trail loops you through new-growth and old-growth forests along the Hoh River. Both trails are easy and great ways to experience Hoh Rainforest.

Ruby Beach

I hope you are not over gorgeous beaches because Ruby Beach is your final place to visit during your one day in Olympic National Park! The stunning beach has red sand around sea stacks, making it unique compared to the others. You can spend time relaxing while enjoying the views or walking along its shores to different viewpoints. If you have time to watch the sunset, I highly recommend enjoying it from Ruby Beach. You will not be disappointed!

Summary of the Best Itinerary for One Day in Olympic National Park

Here is a quick summary of the best itinerary for one day in Olympic National Park!

Hurricane Ridge
Madison Falls
Marymere Falls
Sol Duc Falls
Rialto Beach
Second
First Beach
Hoh Rainforest
Ruby Beach

If you only have one day to spend in Olympic National Park, this guide is the best place to start planning! It has everything you need to create the perfect itinerary for one day in Olympic National Park!