Itinerary · 2 days · Washington
2 Days in Olympic National Park: The Perfect Itinerary
Two days is enough to see the best of Olympic National Park without rushing. Here is the day-by-day plan, built around the park's highlights.
Best time to go: Jul–Sep. Closest major airport: Seattle–Tacoma (SEA), about 2.5–3 hours.
Day 1: The icons
- Morning: Walk the Hall of Mosses in the Hoh Rain Forest. Start early to beat the crowds.
- Afternoon: Explore tide pools at Rialto Beach and Hole-in-the-Wall.
- Evening: Drive up to Hurricane Ridge.
Day 2: Go deeper
- Morning: Visit Ruby Beach at sunset.
- Afternoon: Paddle Lake Crescent.
The park is a giant loop with no road through the middle, so plan at least three days and base yourself on different sides.
When to go
The best time to visit Olympic National Park is July–September.
Questions
How many days do you need in Olympic National Park?
Two full days covers the highlights: walk the hall of mosses in the hoh rain forest and explore tide pools at rialto beach and hole-in-the-wall on day one, then visit ruby beach at sunset on day two. Add a third day if you want a long backcountry hike or a slow morning.
When is the best time for this Olympic itinerary?
Go in Jul–Sep, when the park is rated at its best. September offers the best balance of good conditions and smaller crowds.
Can you do Olympic in one day?
You can see the highlights in one very full day by doing day one below and skipping day two, but you will miss visit ruby beach at sunset. Two days is the sweet spot.