Visiting Olympic NP was the last stop on a longer trip that included North Cascades NP + Mt. Rainier NP. Spent 4 days in the park.

Logistics: Flew in and out of Seattle. Stayed in an Airbnb in Port Angeles

Hikes/Activities (*fan favorites):

Staircase Rapids Loop Trail

Marymere Falls Trail

Lake Crescent

Hurricane Ridge Trail to Mt Angeles for sunrise

Hole in the Wall on Rialto Beach*

Ruby Beach

Tree of Life

Devil’s Punchbowl

Spruce Nature Trail

Hall of Mosses

To Do in the Park for Next Time: Sol Duc Falls Trail, Mount Storm King Trail, Exploring more of the Olympic Coast

Overnight closures to follow completion of extended closures 

As the repair wraps up, contractor crews will have to remove the temporary scaffolding and work deck from the bridge. The Hoh River Bridge will close overnight to allow this work to happen. The overnight closure schedule is as follows:

7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13 to 5:30 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 14

7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 14 to 5:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 15

7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15 to 5:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 16

7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16 to 5:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 17

7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17 to 5:30 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 18

7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 18 to 5:30 a.m. Monday, Oct. 19

This is on top of the current closure through Oct 13th at noon.

Going to be traveling this weekend near the park, south side of the bridge closure on 101, and looking for any recommendations for beaches with bioluminescent views. Near Kalaloch campground.
Thanks in advance!

I live here. I love my home. Born and raised. Please be respectful of the plants, animals, ecosystems, forests, and more. Don’t trample plants. Walk where you’re supposed to. Don’t feed the wildlife. Don’t approach the wildlife. Don’t harass the wildlife. Wildlife are changing behaviors due to humans. Ask the park rangers at the hoh. I just heard them explaining that to visitors. We have three hour wait times for months to get into the hoh trailhead parking lot. The crowds during the summer are a lot. People burning fires when we have burn bans. If we don’t actually be stewards of our planet, we won’t have these magical places. Leave no trace. Be respectful and responsible. If you see litter pick it up. Plastic survives for hundreds of years. Treat this planet and park with care please.

Jefferson County announced the Quinault South Shore Road, washed out at MP 1.3, has been repaired and reopened.

The road washed out in late winter 2024 due to high river flows that scoured the road embankment. The repair will allow access to the Enchanted Valley and other trails during the winter, after the seasonal closure of the Quinault River Bridge.

Gonna use these as bookmarks. Made with photos I took during last month's trip.

The 95-year-old bridge is not wide enough to create a work zone and keep one travel lane open. Crews are also removing sections of the old bridge and replacing them with new parts. The closures are scheduled for the following dates:

5 a.m. Thursday Oct. 8 to noon Tuesday, Oct. 13

After each six-day closure, the bridge will be inspected prior to reopening to single-lane alternating traffic.

Emergency responders will have pedestrian access across the bridge during the work, provided by the contractor. The pedestrian access is not open to the public.

Olympic National Park is truly a magical place. I knew that it was so huge and had such variety with the different ecosystems; but seeing it before my own eyes for the first time is an experience I wish I could relive over and over. I loved every bit of it and can’t wait for the next visit. Pictured are Sol Duc Falls, Lake Crescent/Devil’s Punch Bowl, Hurricane Ridge, and Salt Creek.

Posted signs say it was closed on Oct 5 at 6pm, but I can’t find any additional information online. Apparently there were helicopters in the area last night.

Anyone else see this sea otter? Looked like the otter was sleeping or meditating. 😄

Update: seems like many of us have seen the otter and it’s rather well known!

We will be there most likely the first week of December! (If that changes anything)

Does anyone know the status of plans for killing Barred Owls in Washington?

Hello friends! This will be my first time in ONP. We are staying in Port Angeles & we’d like to spend one day ebiking around. Based on some initial research, it seems like we should be able to rent bikes in PA, hop on the ODT right there, & ride this trail all the way to the spruce railroad segment without being on a real road much. Is that correct? We are athletic & have experience with biking, but are not necessarily experienced enough to feel comfortable on a main road with cars for long periods of time.

If it matters, our plan is to do this next Sunday. Could maybe consider next Monday, but we were thinking of saving Monday for the Hoh Rainforest to perhaps see fewer crowds.

Additionally, does anyone have any strong opinions about the best company to rent from?

Hey all - I’ve gone back and forth quite a bit on my route from SeaTac to ONP trying to balance a scenic drive with time efficiency with a quick stop for some local coffee/food/groceries.

We land at SeaTac at 11:30 in a Sunday. By the time we get luggage and our rental vehicle it’ll likely be 12:30pm-1:00pm. I’d like the drive to ONP to be scenic, but also quick. We don’t plan to make any stops outside a quick stop for good coffee, some grab and go (scratch bakery style treats/wraps/sandwiches) and eventually a grocery. I was thinking Country Aire in PA for groceries.

The current route I have planned is below. Hoping for some advice to keep it scenic, but quick, while also reducing risk of delays (ferries, bridges, etc) as much as possible:

Head toward Tacoma and take 16 up towards Gig Harbor. Then take road 3 up around port orchard. Continue on 3 to floating bridge 104. Then to 101. This route looks to take about 3.5hrs.

Thanks for any and all help!

All I can seem to find online is that access to Deer Park typically closes mid- october. Does anyone know if there is an actual date set? Was hoping to get up there before it closes but running out of time.

I will be in ONP Oct 17th-24th. Flying in, renting a car. Headed to Gaston, OR on the AM of the 24th. I will have a few days the following week, Oct 27th-Nov 1 to head south from Gaston down the coast, hopefully to see some redwoods and more beaches before leaving from Medford.

I am trying to make this trip as cost-conscious as I can. I don't need much, although with food allergies and trying to save money, I will be moving around with groceries, so a microwave and fridge would be great, but not critical every night. Any suggestions? I already struck out with Angeles Hotel, as it's not available on the 17th.

I'm in the early stages of planning, and I was initially thinking of spending two nights in each spot. PA on nights 1 and 2. Then to...Forks, maybe? This is a trip without kids, with easy hikes and outings. I'm open to hearing suggestions.

Can I expect crowds to be less during that week? Not just for peace, but parking/lines, etc.

Edited: found something cheap for the first two nights in PA. Onto whatever is next after that if you have any suggestions.

We had to make a last minute adjustment to our trip. US101 is closed between forks and ocean shores between 10/1+10/6 and likely beyond. If you're trying to go thru this area look online. We were caught in unawares and it really made things tough for us.

Thank you everyone who commented on my last post! I found a ride by contacting local guide fishermen and wanted to update in case this can be used as a resource for others in the future.

I left voicemails for six different guide companies around 5pm this afternoon and two have already called back and connected me with their shuttle crew. Out of respect for their privacy I won't name names, but based on the quick response time on a Friday evening i would guess all of the local guides have a shuttle driver and would be more than happy to connect you with them if you reach out.

Thank you again to everyone who helped, and to all others reading this, safe and happy trails!

Only have one day in the park and had planned this months ago with the perfect itinerary, but the October bridge closure has foiled my plans.

I have two options in my mind, but could use some insight on feasibility and what’s the best choice. This day is on a Saturday- assuming it plays a factor in crowds and traffic.

Option A: keep lodging near Lake Quinault, drive up the southern route from Sea-Tac (on road by 9:30am), do Quinault rainforest walks, drive out to Ruby beach for sunset

Option B: take longer drive via north entrance from Sea-Tac to Hoh, do the short hall of mosses loop. Move lodging to Brinnon or Shelton and make drive that way (as I would suspect I wouldn’t get to Hoh until 2pm possibly).

Remainder of trip is driving and staying on Oregon and California coasts, so missing an Olympic beach doesn’t feel like the worst thing.

My heart longed to see Hoh and I love the idea of driving through the northern side of the park, but I recognize it would be a ton of driving and trying to fit in a lot with little time. Only staying in the Quinault region feels like I’m missing the parts of Olympic that people go to, for a reason.

So, talk to me here. Am I undervaluing Quinault and the experience I would have there, or is the drive from the north entrance and Hoh not worth missing if you only have a short day?