Hiking the Elwha River, Olympic National Park
See dense forest and prehistoric ferns on this 45.2-mile jaunt.
Olympic National Park
Olympic National Park encompasses nearly one million acres of Washington wilderness, making it a perfect choice for many backcountry adventures. The best Olympic National Park hikes showcase its four distinct environments: Pacific coastline, alpine tundra, temperate rainforest, and drier forest. All sit in the shadow if Mount Olympus, the snowcapped peak at the heart of it all.
If you plan on camping in Olympic National park, checking out Hart Lake (a BACKPACKER staff favorite) is an absolute must. And if you plan on hiking in Olympic National Park, look no further than the picturesque North Coast Route. It stands out as one of our top hikes in the whole parks system.
Warplanes Are Roaring Over One of the Quietest Places on Earth. Backpackers Are Fighting Back.
Washington's Hoh Rainforest is one of the few remaining landscapes in the world that's free of human noise—if you don't count the Navy jets tearing above it, that is. Hiker and veteran Chris Marvin goes on a pilgrimage in search of silence.
Latest in Olympic National Park
Are You Brave Enough for These 4 Haunted Hikes?
Destinations Editor Maren Horjus shares four spooky, Halloween-ready tales from her new book, Haunted Hikes.
How Trail Crews Fight the Forest in Olympic National Park
Don't let the manicured paths trick you: Workers in Washington state's mountains wage an endless war to keep the trails open.
The Best Views in the National Parks: Point of Arches
Olympic National Park, WA
Queets River Trail, Olympic National Park, WA
Get wet in late summer when the Queets River is easily crossed to see a rainforest most hikers never knew existed in Olympic National Park, Washington.
Olympic National Park: Seven Lakes Loop
Explore old growth rain forest, ascend 5,474-foot Bogachiel Peak, and reap stunning views of Mt. Olympus from High Divide's ridgeline on this 17.5-mile loop around a breathtaking subalpine lake basin.
Olympic National Park: Cape Alava Loop
Link rainforest, old-growth cedar stands, and a rugged sea coast peppered with isolated rock columns on this 8.7-mile loop in Olympic National Park.
Olympic National Park: Hoh River to Third Beach
Trace the rugged coastline past dozens of sea-carved rock formations on this five-star weekend trip along the Olympic Peninsula.
Olympic National Park: Red Reef via Four Streams Trail
End your day with a splash on the Olympic Peninsula.
Olympic National Park: Glacier Meadows via Hoh River Trail
On this climb from the Hoh River's silty riffles to high-country glacier views, you'll pass through a moss-hung rainforest that might be the lushest place in America.
Olympic National Park: Hoh River Trail to Blue Glacier
Hike through temperate rain forest alongside the Hoh River to the tip of the Blue Glacier--the largest glacier in Olympic National Park--and 7,980-foot Mt. Olympus towering above the ice.
Olympic National Park: Sunrise Ridge
Want low mileage and big views? Make a beeline to the Hurricane Ridge trailhead for this 5.6-mile out-and-back that rolls past far-reaching views on Sunrise Ridge.
Olympic National Park: Olympic Hot Springs via Appleton Pass
Climb up and over Appleton Pass--and past huckleberries, western red cedar, and hemlocks--to soak in this chain of natural hot springs.
Mountain Map: Coast Range – Olympic Mountains
Explore peaks and forests in this coastal range.
Hike Olympic National Park
Explore two ecosystems in this hinterland of moss-draped forests, ancient trees, and snowcapped peaks.
Life List: Backpack Olympic National Park
Add Olympic National Park to your to-do list.