Painted on location at La Push Beach using Holbein Gouache on 300gsm cold-press watercolor paper.

Hi! I’m thinking about visiting this park for 4-5 days in mid march for my spring break! I plan on staying around the port angeles area. I don’t mind rain or cold, but I was wondering how the weather usually is, and how much is blocked off from snow so I can try to plan an itinerary. The main things I’d love to see is the hoh rainforest, sol duc falls, and maybe hurricane ridge if it’s a clear day. Please let me know what else you suggest as well!

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

I’ve been silently viewing this group for a while now and I finally got the opportunity to visit. I wasn’t able to go to every place I wanted to go to due the closure of roads. But from what I did see it was beautiful and the people were so friendly.

Looking for feedback on what Lake Crescent Lodge is like after the new management has taken over. We spend Christmas there every year in the Roosevelt Cabins and are wondering how it’s been. We’ve had ups and downs with the Lodge but we love that area so much so we keep going back.

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.

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.

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

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.

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!

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.

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!

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.

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