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9 Best Backpacking Trips in Olympic National Park
Olympic National Park is one of three national parks in Washington. It is also one of the most diverse parks in Washington, offering mountainous, coastal, and temperate rainforest areas. The park offers phenomenal hiking and camping, but it also has some of the best backpacking trails for those seeking a little more adventure and a lot more solitude. Here are some of the best backpacking trips in Olympic National Park.
Whether you’re looking to spend one night on the trail or five, there are plenty of options to pick from. This guide to the best backpacking trips in Olympic National Park is going to be broken down by type of terrain: Coast, Rainforest, and Mountain and then placed in order from shortest to longest distance.
Backpacking in the Olympics is a magical experience. Every year I try to backpack in the park as often as possible and I have yet to complete a trail that hasn’t been worthy of making it on this list.
Backpacking in Olympic: Best Trails from Coast to Mountains
Backpacking in the Pacific Northwest is unmatched and I am so excited to be helping you pick a trail in one of the best National Parks the United States has to offer. At almost 1 million acres, this park is gigantic and the options for trails are pretty close to endless.
In addition to sharing some amazing backpacking trails, I will also share how to lock down permits for backpacking trails in Olympic, wildlife safety in Olympic, backpacking safety, how to get to the different areas, and general information about the park.
Olympic National Park Ecosystems
Olympic National Park was established on the Washington Peninsula in 1938 by Franklin D. Roosevelt. It also holds the honor of being a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an International biosphere Reserve for encompassing three wildly unique ecosystems.
Coastal Ecosystem
The coastal ecosystem which is accessible to park visitors includes the northernmost point of the contiguous United States and runs down the coast to Oregon. From the coast, visitors can see marine mammals including orca whales, harbor porpoises, seals, and otters. The coast is also popular for bird watching.
Trails along the coast are relatively accessible and a popular day hike on the coast is Rialto Beach! Backpacking to Rialto Beach is allowed, but it is permitted.
When to Backpack on the Coast in Olympic
Many of the coastal backpacking routes in Olympic are accessible year-round. During winter months expect cold and rainy but snow-free trails. You will find that the trails still receive many visitors during this time!
Temperate Rainforest
The rainforests in Olympic National Park can receive almost 12 feet of rain every year, leaving them lush and green. They have a canopy of moss that hangs from western hemlock, Sitka spruce, and Douglas Fir. In the Temperate Rainforest, Roosevelt Elk and Black Bear are prevalent.
There are many different backpacking trails in this area, but popular day trails include: Hall of Mosses, Largest Sitka Spruce, and Hoh River(stop when you want).
When to Backpack in the Temperate Rainforests in Olympic
At the lower elevations in the Olympics, backpacking can occur for most of the year. There is still a chance for snow.
Early-Late Spring the trails begin to see more visitors. Enchanted Valley and the Hoh River Trail are popular beginning in May.
Mountains/Alpine Area
The mountain area of the Olympics is increasingly impressive. Visitors can drive up to Hurricane Ridge and take in some of the impressive view points just from their vehicle. The access point for Hurricane Ridge is Port Angeles making this area accessible to many visitors.
Popular Day Hikes in this area include Grand Ridge from Deer Park Campground and Mount Ellinor.
When to Backpack in the Alpine Areas of Olympic
Expect to begin backpacking in the Alpine Areas of the Olympic in Late Summer. The higher elevations will have heavy snow pack well into August. The best time to backpack in these areas is late August and early September.
Backpacking Safety in Olympic National Park
Like any backpacking trip, there are significant safety measures that need to be considered and planned for before and during the trip. There have been many backpacking trails in Olympic National Park that I have completed in which I have seen only one or two people over the course of three days. Self-sufficiency is key.
Pre-Trip Preparation
Before leaving for your backpacking trip in Olympic, you will need to do the following things.
- Research Trails: Identify trails you want to hike. Pick trails that interest you and match your comfort level. I’ve gotten into the habit of calling the backcountry permit office to ask for detailed reports on trails! It has been a valuable resource for information.
- Obtain Your Permits: Most permits will be released in April the year you plan on going. If you don’t get permits, keep an eye out or call the office. They may have some available that are not on the website due to cancellations.
- Pack Proper Gear: Pack essential gear. Check the weather the day off your trip and call for snow conditions. Snowpack can stay well into the summer at high altitudes.
Backcountry Safety
If you have never backpacked in bear territory, I am first going to direct you to my blog on bear safety in Olympic National Park, you can read it here. When backpacking, safety is always a priority. Here are some tips.
- Stay Hydrated and Fueled: Drink plenty of water. Estimate about a liter an hour. Consume high energy snacks. Dehydration and under-eating is extremely dangerous in the backcountry.
- Be Weather Aware: I use a Garmin InReach for weather updates and have left backpacking trips a day early due to inclement weather. Getting caught in bad weather is not fun, especially if you’re not prepared for it.
- Food Storage: All food needs to be stored in bear safe food containers. Some backcountry sites have bear hangs, so you’re allowed to bring containers like Ursaks, but unless noted, you will need to bring a bear canister.
- Communication: Make sure someone knows where you are, when you plan on completing your trip and when you will be able to inform them you’ve gotten back safely. This is especially important if you’re backpacking alone.
WIldlife Safety
Similar to backcountry safety, wildlife safety is of the utmost importance when backpacking in Olympic National Park. There are many different types of animals you may come across in Olympic depending on where you’re backpacking. From black bears to mountain lions or mountain goats to bald eagles.
- Distance: Maintain a safe distance from all animals in the park. Never approach an animal in the park. To observe an animal, use binoculars or a telephoto lens.
- Know How to React: In the event of an encounter with a bear, do not run. Back away slowly while maintaining eye contact.
- Food: Do not leave food out for an animal to get into and do not use food to attach an animal.
Securing Backpacking Permits in Olympic National Park
Many of the backpacking trails in Olympic National Park require an overnight permit through the National Park Service. Some of these permits are extremely coveted. Almost all of the permits are reserved on Recreation.gov.
Here is how to secure your permits.
Identify the Route
In February or March, begin thinking about what backpacking route(s) you want to do in Olympic National Park. Figure out where the routes are located and begin researching the campgrounds along the trail. When you reserve your permits on Recreation.gov they will likely be in order along the route based on location.
Determine When Permits Will Be Released
Olympic National Park has been releasing all backpacking permits for the season on the same day every year. The past two years it has been on April 15th. I imagine that releasing them all on the same day increases the opportunity for more individuals to backpack in Olympic.
Use the Backpacking Route Planner or Call a Park Ranger
Prior to the release date, make sure you know which ZONE your backpacking route falls under. You can use the Olympic Backcountry Planning resources to do this. Consider calling a Park Ranger to help plan an epic route!
Book it!
The morning the permits will be released, make sure you have all of the campsites, zones, and dates written down. You should be logged in prior to the release of the permits and ready to go! Don’t wait any time or you might miss the permits.
Have a back-up
Consider creating an alternative route along the same trip if a campsite gets snatched up or have a different trip in mind. It is okay if you do not get the trip you wanted the first go at it! There are so many wonderful backpacking routes in the park.
Best Backpacking Trips in Olympic: Coast
Backpacking along the Pacific Ocean in Olympic National Park is fantastic. Many of the backpacking trails are beginner friendly and can be done as an overnight. While these trails are easy in elevation, they do pose some challenges with their available water sources.
When backpacking on all coastal trails in Olympic National Park, you will want to have access to a tide chart for the specific area you will be in. I recommend printing the tide chart, because I do not like to rely on my phone battery or service on the trail. The backcountry office in Olympic will also be able to provide you with a tide chart.
You will want to hike during low tide for many of the trails. During high tide, some of the trails will either be impassable or will require the use of overland(some are rather sketchy).
All coastal trails require bear cans.
Ozette Triangle
Distance: 9.4 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 100 ft
Difficulty: Moderate
Suggested Number of Days: Two Days, 1 Night
Ozette Triangle is located near Lake Ozette and consists of three equidistant trails of three miles each. The two trails through the forest are mostly along boardwalks making for pleasant hiking to Sand Point or Cape Alva, the two campsite options for Ozette Triangle.
This is an amazing backpacking trail in Olympic because you can choose to complete the triangle or hike it as an out-and-back if you don’t want to hike along the beach for three miles. If you do hike along the beach for three miles, you will want to do so just as high tide is moving out so you can take advantage of the compact sand.
There are ancient petroglyphs on this trail! Keep your eyes peeled and take only photos.
Shi shi beach
Distance: 8.0 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 200 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Suggested Number of Days: Two Days, One Night
Shi-Shi Beach is an extremely popular backpacking trail for tide pooling. The beach has impressive sea stacks surrounded by a rich intertidal zone. The tide pools at Shi Shi Beach have sea stars, sea urchins, anemone and if you’re lucky an occasional pacific red octopus.
The hike to Shi-Shi Beach is on the Makah Reservation. In order to legally access the trail, visitors need to purchase a Recreations Pass from the Makah Tribe. This can be done when driving through Neah Bay.
The hike has very little elevation gain as backpackers travel through a forested area. Be aware that early on in the season, the trail gets exceptionally muddy. Please fight the Earle to walk off trail as this promotes erosion and does not follow leave no trace principles. As the forested area ends, there is a very short but steep set of switchbacks that leads down to the beach. From there hikers can walk the length of the beach. The sea stacks are on the far end!
South Coast Wilderness Trail
Distance: 17.0 miles, one-way
Elevation Gain: 2,000 ft
Difficulty: Hard
Suggested Number of Days: Three Days, Two Nights
South Coast Wilderness Trail or what I know it as, Toleak Point, is a popular backpacking trip on the Olympic Coast because it can be completed as a single night, multi-day, out-and-back or one-way trip! There are lots of different options for completing this trail depending on your personal goals and what you want to see along the way.
For a single night, many people will backpack to Second Beach which is a breathtaking beach. This trail has the most congestion around Second Beach.
Other stops along the way include: Strawberry Point where I saw a mother orca and her calf, Third Beach, and Toleak Point. Toleak Point has some of the most beautiful campsites along the entire route. Since the entire route is 17.0 miles one-way you can drop a car at one end which is what my friend and I did. Or you can hike to the middle and turn around.
Temperate Rainforest
There are a couple of backpacking trails in the Olympic Rainforests that I keep coming back to, Enchanted Valley being one of them. There is something magical about being encased in this particular forest.
Many of the backpacking trails in the rainforest are two days or more, but have moderate elevation.
When planning your trip pay attention to two things:
- How many people are allowed at each campsite, each night (some have a max of 6!)
- Does every site along the route have bear hangs (If you’re not bringing a bear can)
Sol Duc River
Distance: 17.0 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 3,200 ft
Difficulty: Hard
Suggested Number of Days: Two Days, One Night
If you have ever been to Olympic National Park, you’ve likely already been to this iconic area to see the Sol Duc Falls by the bridge, but this is part of a much longer trail along the Sol Duc River!
This is a gateway to the coveted Seven Lakes Basin and High Divide trails so overnight permits are strictly enforced. If you are staying in the Sol Duc River area, that is where you will need to stay. And you should! This area is filled with lush, green forest and cascading falls. Enjoy a night amongst the fern-lined trail!
Enchanted Valley
Distance: 27.8 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 3,700 ft
Difficulty: Hard
Suggested Number of Days: Three Days, Two Nights
Enchanted Valley brings Backpackers to the Enchanted Valley Chalet along the East Fork Quinault River. This gorgeous trail winds through old-growth forest as hikes eventually reach the beautiful valley where the chalet is located.
Backpackers are encouraged to complete this trail as a multi-day backpacking trip. Many consider enchanted valley to be the best backpacking trip in Olympic National park! If you backpack to the valley in one day, stay in the valley for one day or more in between your hike out. Or hike up to Anderson Pass for a day hike!
Consider staying at Graves Creek Campground the night before so you can get an early start on the trail! The trail begins at graves creek trailhead which is right by the campground.
For more information about this amazing backpacking trip, read here!
Hoh River - Blue Glacier
Distance: 37.0 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 3,700 ft
Difficulty: Hard
Suggested Number of Days: Three Days, Two Nights
Hoh River to Blue Glacier has to be one of the most phenomenal backpacking trails in Olympic National park. For the beginning portion of the trail, backpackers will be hiking alongside the Hoh river under the rainforest canopy.
As the trail begins to gain elevation, wildflowers begin to bloom in the subalpine areas as the towering mountains come into view. There is a washout along the route where hikers will need to utilize a ladder. This is dangerous in snowy conditions!
The trek up to Blue Glacier is steep and not well traveled. Consider setting up a base camp at Elk Lake or Lewis Meadow along the route so you do not have to bring your large, heavy pack the entire route.
Alpine/Mountains
The diversity that Olympic National Park offers is what makes it such a phenomenal park for backpacking. However, the mountainous areas of the park are breathtaking making them some of the more challenging permits to get ahold of every year.
Grand Valley Loop
Distance: 7.9 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 2,080 ft
Difficulty: Moderate
Suggested Number of Days: Two Days, One Night
Running parallel to Grand Ridge, Grand Valley brings hikers in the heart of the Olympic Mountains. Backpackers can hike down from Observation Point or Deer Park depending on where they park. They can complete the trail as a one way or complete the loop by returning along Grand Ridge (which is amazing).
The Grand Valley trail sees very few visitors so this is a great place for a tranquil stay.
Royal basin
Distance: 16.0 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 2,650 ft
Difficulty: Hard
Suggested Number of Days: Two Days, One Night
Royal indeed! This backpacking trip needs to be added to everyone’s list. The 16 mile out-and-back trail is to one of the most beautiful alpine lakes in Olympic National Park. The trail begins at the Upper Dungeness Trail in Quilcene. The parking lot for this trail is at the end of an extremely rough forest service road so drive with caution.
For most of the trail, you will be in the shade, but as you near the lake fewer trees will provide respite from the heat of the day.
Backpacking permits are strict in there area due to overuse directly surrounding the lake so there will be signs that block off certain areas for restoration. Most overnight sites are a 5 minute walk to the lake so don’t worry! You’re still very close!
High Divide and Seven lakes Basin
Distance: 19.0 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 4,000 ft
Difficulty: Hard
Suggested Number of Days: Three Days, Two Nights
High Divide and Seven Lakes Basin is one of the best backpacking trips in Olympic National Park. As you hike along this trail, you get to see panoramic views of the Olympic Mountains while you hike along the trail ridge line.
Take time to enjoy jumping into the different lakes and in July the subalpine flowers will be starting to bloom. A popular backpacking site along this route is Lunch Lake!
Black bears are prominent on this trail. There are no bear wires along this trail, bear canisters are required. If you do not have a bear canister, the wilderness center in Port Angeles can rent you one!
Pack It Up
Backpacking on the Olympic Peninsula is one of the best trips you can plan for yourself. From enjoying the Hoh Rainforest to scaling mountain passes to exploring sandy beaches there is a backpacking route for everyone to enjoy.
Olympic is filled with some of the best hikes in Washington like Mount Storm King, Hurricane Hill, and Grand Ridge. But if you can complete a backpacking trip in Olympic you will not regret it.
One of my favorite things to do is jump in Lake Crescent on my way home from a hike or backpacking trip. Lake Crescent is one of the most pristine lakes in Olympic National Park and it is the starting point of Mount Storm King and Marymere Falls!
As always, don’t forget to snag your wilderness permits ahead of time and if you have any questions, feel free to drop them in the comments so I can help!
Happy Backpacking!
Meet the Author -
Sarah Borgen
I am an Educator and outdoor Enthusiast based out of Seattle and writer of Exploren Borgen! My adventures consist of weekends spent in the woods, on a hike, car camping, and taking a deep breath of fresh air. When not on an adventure, you can find me in a classroom teaching high school science! I love having a job that allows me to the opportunity to discuss things like conservation, sustainability, and accessibility.
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Meet the author
Sarah Borgen, AKA your outdoor bestie
I’m an outdoorsy educator and adventure advocate, which is why I’m passionate about creating resources – like blogs, guides, and interactive maps – to simplify your travels. I’m eager to share some of Washington’s greatest destinations and hidden gems with you.
