How to Spend 3 Days in Olympic National Park
Olympic National Park is one of the most diverse national parks in Washington! It has snow-capped mountains, sandy beaches, waterfalls, and lush rainforests, and its diversity is one of the reasons it is among the most visited national parks in the United States.
Although you could spend a week exploring everything Olympic National Park offers, you can see many must-see attractions in 3 days. You can hike beautiful trails, enjoy scenic drives, walk through rainforests, and watch the sunset from the coast. This guide has everything you need to know about planning the best 3-day Olympic National Park itinerary!
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, my blog may receive a commission at no additional cost to you.
Tips for Spending 3 Days in Olympic National Park
Start your days early. Olympic National Park has over 2 million visitors per year, and the park can be crowded, especially during peak season. I always recommend starting your days early to avoid crowds and traffic.
Watch the sunset in the park. There are way too many beautiful sunset spots in Olympic National Park for you to skip out on seeing at least one. Olympic National Park is on the coast of Washington, which means you can see incredible sunsets over the ocean. There are also plenty of beautiful sunset spots in the mountains!
Pack layers. The weather in Olympic National Park can change quickly, so it is crucial to pack layers, especially if you are hiking.
Buy the America the Beautiful Annual Pass. If you will visit more national parks on your trip or within the year, I highly recommend buying the American the Beautiful Annual Pass. It allows you into any national park and federal recreation land for a year!
Always remember to leave no trace. It’s crucial to pack out what you pack in and leave no trash. Some of these spots have trash bins, so you can easily throw your trash away. If they don’t have trash bins, you can throw your trash away at a nearby gas station or convenience store.
When to Spend 3 Days in Olympic National Park
Olympic National Park is one of those parks you can visit in any season! The most popular time to visit is in the summer and early fall when the temperature is warm. Most trails, roads, and facilities are open in the warmer months, allowing you to access the most attractions.
The only downside to visiting in the summer and early fall is the amount of people. Since it is peak season, the crowds can be intense, and many parking areas fill up quickly. But if you start your days in the morning before the crowds arrive in the park, you can enjoy many attractions with fewer people!
Although winter and early spring are the least visited seasons, Olympic National Park still has many fun activities! Winter is the perfect time to enjoy skiing, snowshoeing, and other winter sports.
No matter when you spend your 3 days in Olympic National Park, you will not be disappointed! It offers many fun activities year-round.
How to Get to Olympic National Park
If you are flying into Washington, the closest airport to Olympic National Park is the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. From Seattle, you can either drive into the park or take a ferry, and the quickest option depends on how long the ferry lines are.
Some ferries require advanced reservations, and the ferry lines can be very long, especially during peak season. We decided to drive because it was the quickest option to get there without worrying about lines!
Where to Stay for 3 Days in Olympic National Park
Port Angeles and Forks are the best places to stay when you visit Olympic National Park. They have plenty of lodging options, restaurants, and gas stations, and they are near many must-see attractions.
Port Angeles is in the northern section, while Forks is in the west by the ocean. There are also many other cute towns near Olympic National Park with accommodations!
If you have or can rent camping gear or a campervan, I highly recommend it because there are campgrounds close to Olympic National Park. If you are interested in renting a campervan, I highly recommend renting from Escape Campervans!
Port Angeles Hotels:
Port Angeles Campgrounds:
Forks Hotels:
Forks Campgrounds:
What to Pack for 3 Days in Olympic National Park
Hiking Boots: If you want comfort and support on your trip, hiking boots are the go to.
Hiking Socks: Having moisture-wicking and comfortable hiking socks are just as important for exploring.
Hiking Backpack: You need something to carry all your food, clothes, and anything else you need while adventuring, so having a supportive hiking backpack is crucial.
Hydration Reservoir/Water Bottles: While hiking or just exploring, it is important to have enough water! I always pack a hydration reservoir.
Jackets: The weather is unpredictable, so I always pack a rain jacket and insulated jacket.
Ten Essentials: The Ten Essentials are crucial for hiking!
Microspikes: If you plan on winter hiking, you will need to bring microspikes.
Snowshoes: Also if you hike in the winter, you may need snowshoes.
The Best Itinerary for 3 Days in Olympic National Park
The best thing about this 3-day Olympic National Park itinerary is its flexibility! Depending on how to get to the park, you can switch days one and three in the itinerary. Either way, you will love exploring everything Olympic National Park offers!
Day 1 in Olympic National Park
The first day of your 3 days in Olympic National Park includes waterfalls, hikes, and stunning mountain views! If you are in the park the night before, you can switch around the itinerary to visit Hurricane Ridge for sunrise and then watch the sunset from Devil’s Punchbowl.
Madison Falls
The first stop on your 3-day Olympic National Park itinerary is a stunning waterfall. Madison Falls is a beautiful 50-foot waterfall that rivals the beauty of other more popular waterfalls.
And the best part? The hike to Madison Falls is only 0.2 miles round trip, making it a quick and easy stop that the entire family can enjoy. The easy trail is beautiful, and the view of the waterfall will leave you in awe!
Marymere Falls
Marymere Falls is another beautiful waterfall in Olympic National Park, and many consider it the most beautiful waterfall in the park. If you love Madison Falls, you will love Marymere Falls!
The 1.8-mile roundtrip trail loops you to two beautiful viewpoints of the 90-foot waterfall. I recommend hiking to both, but if you only want to go to one, the lower viewpoint has a better view, in my opinion. Marymere Falls will quickly become one of your favorite waterfalls in the park!
Mount Storm King
If you want to hike a challenging trail near Marymere Falls, Mount Storm King is for you! Please note that the hike to Mount Storm King is exposed, requires you to use ropes to ascend to the overlook, and has steep drop-offs. If you are afraid of heights, this hike is not for you.
Mount Storm King is one of the most popular hikes in Olympic National Park because it provides incredible views overlooking Lake Crescent. The 4.4-mile roundtrip trail gains over 2,200 feet of elevation over a series of switchbacks and a steep rope section. After the switchbacks, the trail becomes steep with loose rock. There are multiple ropes to help you get up these steep sections that have long drop-offs on one side. The ropes can also be difficult to ascend or descend if many people are on the trail.
The hike may take you longer than expected since there should only be one or two people on the ropes at a time. If you make it to the top of the lookout on Mount Storm King, you get an incredible view of Lake Crescent and the surrounding mountains!
Devil's Punchbowl
If you do not want to hike to Mount Storm King but still want to enjoy views of Lake Crescent, this trail is perfect for you! Devil's Punchbowl has a bridge leading to Lake Crescent, offering stunning views.
The 2.5-mile roundtrip trail is easy to follow and well-maintained. Whether you want to watch the sunset, enjoy the lake views, or swim in one of the clearest lakes in Washington, you will love the Devil’s Punchbowl!
Hurricane Ridge
Hurricane Ridge is one of the most beautiful spots in Olympic National Park to watch the sunrise or sunset. If you would rather watch the sunrise from Hurricane Ridge, you can visit that first and then end your day watching the sunset at Devil’s Punchbowl. Either way, you will fall in love with this beautiful spot!
Hurricane Ridge is a 17-mile road leading to a beautiful viewpoint overlooking the surrounding mountains. It is the most accessible mountain area, so it is the perfect sunrise or sunset spot for everyone!
Because it is easy to get to, it gets crowded, and sometimes, when Hurricane Ridge becomes overcrowded, they will stop traffic from entering. Sunrise and sunset are usually less busy, but I recommend arriving early to make sure you get to the top.
If you want to explore, you can hike the 3.4-mile Hurricane Hill Trail! The easy trail begins near the Hurricane Ridge Visitors Center and provides stunning views of the Bailey Range and surrounding mountains.
Day 2 in Olympic National Park
The second day of your 3-day Olympic National Park itinerary explores some of the most beautiful beaches in Olympic National Park!
Sol Duc Falls
You are starting your second day in Olympic National Park strong, visiting one of its most photographed waterfalls! Sol Duc Falls is a photogenic 48-foot waterfall attracting thousands of photographers. Even if you are not a photographer, you will enjoy visiting Sol Duc Falls!
And the best part? These stunning falls are easy to get to! The 1.6-mile roundtrip trail is easy to follow and well-maintained, making it great for everyone to enjoy.
Rialto Beach
Now it is time to explore the beautiful beaches of Olympic National Park! Rialto Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in the park, with sea stacks in the ocean and huge pieces of driftwood. It will quickly become one of your favorite beaches!
Although you can enjoy the beautiful views near the parking lot, I recommend hiking to the Hole-in-the-Wall. The 3.5-mile roundtrip trail follows along the shores of Rialto Beach towards its towering sea stacks, including the Hole in the Wall.
If you want to hike to the Hole in the Wall, you must check the tide schedule in advance. You do not want to hike near high tide when the trail is inaccessible. The national park usually posts the tide schedule near the bathrooms in the parking lot, too!
First Beach
After Rialto Beach, Olympic National Park has three beaches: First Beach, Second Beach, and Third Beach. If you don’t have time to visit all three, I recommend visiting Second Beach because it has one of the most beautiful hikes!
First Beach is the easiest to access of the three beaches because it does not require hiking. Because this is the easiest to access, it tends to be busy, but the views are worth dealing with the crowds! First Beach features large pieces of driftwood and sea stacks in the ocean that you can view right from the parking lot.
Second Beach
Second Beach is the most beautiful beach out of the three and has one of the most beautiful views. The 2-mile roundtrip trail descends on a few switchbacks before leading you to the beach.
Once on Second Beach, you can enjoy the beautiful views of the huge sea stacks in the ocean. One of the sea stacks has a hole that many people photograph for sunset as the sunset shines through it.
Third Beach
Third Beach is the most difficult to get to, but it is beautiful and worth the hike! The 3.6-mile roundtrip trail leads you through a forest until you reach the beach, where you can enjoy the views of the ocean and sea stacks. It is a great spot to watch the sunset after your day of exploring!
Day 3 in Olympic National Park
On the final day of your 3 days in Olympic National Park, you explore more of its coast and beautiful rainforests!
Hoh Rainforest
Hoh Rainforest is one of the most beautiful areas in Olympic National Park with its lush green forests. It used to be part of a large rainforest connecting California to Alaska!
Hoh Rainforest is one of the most popular attractions in the park, making it crowded nearly all day. I recommend visiting during sunrise because it will have fewer crowds, and it is the most beautiful during sunrise, in my opinion. If you are a photographer, you will love photographing the lush green rainforest with golden light shining through.
Hoh Rainforest has a few trails you can choose from to hike. The most popular and easiest is the Hall of Mosses Trail. The 1-mile roundtrip trail travels through stunning old-growth forests and moss-draped trees. Another short trail is the Spruce Nature Trail, an easy 1.4-mile roundtrip trail looping through new-growth and old-growth forests along the Hoh River.
If you want to enjoy a longer trail or backpack in the rainforest, you can hike the Hoh River Trail. The 18.5-mile roundtrip trail brings you past Mineral Creek Falls, Cedar Grove, Five Mile Island, and Blue Glacier. It is an incredible and beautiful trail that will leave you in awe!
No matter how you experience the Hoh Rainforest, you will fall in love with the lush rainforest and quickly see why it is so popular!
Ruby Beach
I hope you are not over gorgeous beaches because Ruby Beach is one of my favorites in Olympic National Park! The stunning beach has red sand with sea stacks, making it unique compared to the others. You can relax on the beach, enjoy the views, or walk along its shores to various viewpoints.
Tree of Life
The Tree of Life is one of the most unique finds along the coast of Washington. It is a huge Sitka Spruce on Kalaloch Beach, where you can see its roots on the cliff. The ground beneath it has eroded over the years, exposing its roots and leaving a beautiful thing to see.
And the best part? The Tree of Life is easy to access! It has a short trail leading to Kalaloch Beach, where you can enjoy the beautiful views of the Tree of Life.
Quinault Rainforest
Quinault Rainforest is the lesser-known rainforest in Olympic National Park and the perfect alternative to the Hoh Rainforest if you do not want to deal with crowds.
The most popular way to explore the area is to hike the Quinault Rainforest Nature Loop. The easy 0.5-mile roundtrip loop brings you through a beautiful forest with moss-draped trees. There are a few trails off this loop if you want a longer hike!
After exploring the Quinault Rainforest, you can enjoy the sunset back near the ocean or on Lake Quinault! It is the perfect way to end your 3 days in Olympic National Park.
Summary of the 3-Day Olympic National Park Itinerary
Day 1:
Madison Falls
Marymere Falls
Mount Storm King
Devil’s Punchbowl
Hurricane Ridge
Day 2:
Sol Duc Falls
Rialto Beach
First Beach
Second Beach
Third Beach
Day 3:
Hoh Rainforest
Ruby Beach
Tree of Life
Quinault Rainforest
If you want to plan an incredible 3-day Olympic National Park itinerary, you are in the right place. This guide has everything you need to know about how to spend 3 days in Olympic National Park.
Hey, I’m Nichole!
I am the creator behind Nichole the Nomad, the home of my explorations around the world, mountain hikes, and beautiful pictures taken along the way. I have a deep passion for capturing the world in a beautiful light and sharing my experiences.
I created this blog to share my travels, show how beautiful the world is, provide tips and tricks for traveling, and encourage you to explore. Whether you want to travel across the world or explore what’s in your backyard, I hope this blog inspires you to get outside and find your adventure!
Pin it for later!
