Hiking the Elwha River, Olympic National Park
See dense forest and prehistoric ferns on this 45.2-mile jaunt.
Olympic National Park
Rialto Beach is one of Olympic's standout spots
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.
Maps: If National Parks Were Middle Earth
Artist Dan Bell's dreamy maps show British and American national parks as landscapes from J.R.R. Tolkien's books. We asked him to draw six of our favorites.
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
Classic Adventures in the National Parks: East Fork Quinault River Trail
Olympic National Park
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.
3 Wild Places to Spend Christmas This Year
Go for solitude with a DIY holiday celebration outdoors (pack out your tinsel), or go luxe and enjoy one of these festive feasts before tackling some of the country’s finest trails.
Where to Hike for Free on Black Friday
Forget standing in line at the store. Spend the 27th on the trail with free admission and other perks from these parks.
Olympic, Rainier National Parks to Offer Free Admission on Black Friday
Washington parks encourage visitors to get outside instead of shopping
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.
Best 100 Miles: Shi Shi Beach to Cape Alava, North Coast Route, Olympic NP, WA
These 15 miles of beachfront property are among the best 100 miles of trail in the whole national park system.
Olympic National Park: Mount Townsend via Little Quilcene River (No. 835)
A 7.4-mile hike with nonstop views of the Olympics, leading to a summit on the eastern edge of Olympic National Park.
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: Elwha River Trail
Follow in the footsteps of one of the region's earliest explorers.
Olympic National Park: Red Reef via Four Streams Trail
End your day with a splash on the Olympic Peninsula.
Olympic National Park: Hoh Lake and Heart Lake via Hoh River Trail
Link lush, mossy forests with alpine lakes and meadows on this 35.2-mile backpacking trip in Olympic National Park.
Olympic National Park: Bogachiel Peak, High Divide, and Sol Duc Loop
Pack a week's worth of classic Northwest scenery (coastal rainforest, glittering lakes, thundering falls, and toothy peaks) into just three days on this 23.1-mile loop.
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.
