Park comparison
Olympic vs Redwood
The Pacific Northwest's two great forests, one sprawling and one focused.
Olympic is three parks in one: temperate rainforest, wild coastline, and glaciated peaks, all spread out over long drives. Redwood is focused: the tallest trees on Earth plus empty Pacific beaches in a compact area. Pick Olympic for variety, Redwood for the trees.
Side by side
| Olympic | Redwood | |
|---|---|---|
| Best time to go | Jul–Sep | May–Oct |
| Crowds | Busiest in July and August | Busiest in July and August |
| Landscape | Coast | Forest |
| Established | 1938 | 1968 |
| Location | Washington | California |
Month by month
Questions
Which is better, Olympic or Redwood?
Neither is objectively better. Olympic is three parks in one: temperate rainforest, wild coastline, and glaciated peaks, all spread out over long drives. Redwood is focused: the tallest trees on Earth plus empty Pacific beaches in a compact area. Pick Olympic for variety, Redwood for the trees.
Can you visit Olympic and Redwood in one trip?
It's possible but they're about 592 miles apart, so most people visit them on separate trips.
When is the best time to visit both Olympic and Redwood?
Look for the overlap: Olympic is best Jul–Sep and Redwood is best May–Oct. The sweet spot for both is May through October.
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