How to Spend 2 Days in Olympic National Park
Do you have 2 days to spend in Olympic National Park but have no idea where to start planning? Do not worry, I got you! We were able to see most of the must-see attractions in 2 days when we visited Olympic National Park, and now, I can provide you with the best itinerary!
Olympic National Park is one of the most visited national parks in the United States for good reasons! It is a stunning park covering over 1 million acres and has a diverse landscape, including a rugged coastline, glaciated mountains, and lush rainforests. No matter what you want to do, Olympic National Park has something for you!
Although you can spend a week exploring everything it has to offer, you can spend 2 days in Olympic National Park seeing the most beautiful attractions. This guide has everything you need to know about creating the best Olympic National Park 2-day itinerary!
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Tips for Spending 2 Days in Olympic National Park
Start your day early. Olympic National Park has over 2 million visitors per year, so the park can be crowded, especially during the summer months. Starting your 2 days in Olympic National Park early in the morning will allow you to have the most time exploring the park and avoid congestion at some of the must-see attractions.
Don’t skip out on sunset. 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 if that’s more your thing!
Pack layers. The weather in Olympic National Park can change quickly, so it’s crucial to be prepared and pack layers, especially if you are hiking. The weather in the mountains can be unpredictable, so you should make sure to have layers just in case!
Buy the America the Beautiful Annual Pass. If you are visiting 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 2 Days in Olympic National Park
Olympic National Park is a park you can visit during any season! Which season you choose to visit will depend on what you want to do and how you want to experience Olympic National Park.
Summer
Summer in Olympic National Park is one of the busiest times to visit because the weather is gorgeous! The sun is shining, the temperatures are high, and there is less precipitation, so it is one of the best seasons to hike. Because the weather is perfect, most facilities and roads are open.
We visited in late summer, and although it was busy, we loved our time in Olympic National Park! We had fantastic hiking conditions and weather.
Fall
Fall is another fantastic season to visit Olympic National Park. Early fall brings gorgeous foliage and cooler weather. Late fall can bring early winter conditions, so some facilities and roads may close early, depending on the snow conditions.
Winter
If you don’t mind the snow, rain, and cold weather, winter is a great season to visit Olympic National Park. The rainforests can receive up to 50 inches of rain in the winter, so they are very lush! Winter is also a perfect time for skiing, snowshoeing, and winter sports! However, many facilities and roads are closed in the winter, so there is some limit to what you can do, but it’s still a beautiful and quiet time to visit!
Spring
If you want to experience lush rainforests and a lot of wildlife, spring is your season to visit Olympic National Park! Winter and spring bring a lot of rain to the rainforests, so they become beautiful and lush! And the wildlife viewing opportunities are endless! Some snow can linger into late spring, so some facilities and roads remain closed.
What to Pack for 2 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.
Where to Stay for 2 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:
Best Itinerary for 2 Days in Olympic National Park
If you are flying into Washington, the closest airport to Olympic National Park is the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. From there, you can either drive into the park or take a ferry, and the quickest option depends on how long the ferry lines are. The ferry lines can be very long, especially during peak season.
This itinerary is also flexible! You can start with Day 1 if you want to begin in Port Angeles or flip the Olympic National Park 2-day itinerary if you want to start by the coast. Either way, this itinerary is perfect for spending 2 days in Olympic National Park, so get ready for an incredible trip!
Day 1 in olympic national park
Day 1 of your 2 days in Olympic National Park has many mountain views and waterfalls!
1. Hurricane Ridge
It is time to start your amazing 2 days in Olympic National Park with an incredible sunrise! Hurricane Ridge is a 17-mile road that leads to a beautiful viewpoint overlooking the mountains. I recommend giving yourself more time than you think you need to get to the top of Hurricane Ridge because although it is a 17-mile road, you cannot go fast on it.
Hurricane Ridge is the most accessible mountain area, so it’s a great sunrise spot for everyone! Because it is easy to get to, it can get very crowded. It’s best to visit for sunrise or sunset, so you can avoid long wait times to begin the drive. Sometimes if Hurricane Ridge becomes overcrowded, they will stop traffic from entering. We made it in right before they closed the road for sunset.
If you want to explore, you can hike the 3.2-mile Hurricane Hill Trail! It eventually leads you up to Hurricane Hill, where you can see the Bailey Range, Port Angeles, and Vancouver Island on a clear day!
2. Madison Falls
Madison Falls is an often overlooked waterfall in Olympic National Park. The beautiful 50-foot waterfall rivals the beauty of other more popular waterfalls. The hike to Madison Falls is only 0.2 miles roundtrip, making it a quick and easy stop to add to your Olympic National Park 2-day itinerary. It’s an easy walk to a beautiful waterfall, so make sure not to overlook it!
3. Marymere Falls
Marymere Falls is another beautiful waterfall in Olympic National Park and is often considered the most beautiful waterfall! It was our favorite waterfall in the park!
The 1.8-mile roundtrip trail loops you to two beautiful viewpoints of the 90-foot waterfall. I highly recommend going to both, but if you only want to go to one, the lower viewpoint has a better view, in my opinion. The trail is easy to follow, and you will be in awe of the beauty of Marymere Falls!
4. Mount Storm King
If you are looking for a heart-pumping hike and aren’t afraid of heights, Mount Storm King is 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 loose with rock and very steep. There are multiple ropes to help you get up these steep sections that have long drop-offs on one side. If you are afraid of heights, you may want to avoid this section of the trail.
The ropes can also be difficult to ascend or descend if there are many people on the trail. It 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, you get an incredible view of Lake Crescent and the surrounding mountains!
Although Mount Storm King was a beautiful hike, the hike was not my favorite. I am not a fan of heights, and this trail made me anxious, especially because some people were being a bit crazy along the steep sections. It made me very nervous!
5. Sol Duc Falls
Sol Duc Falls is one of the most photographed waterfalls in Olympic National Park. These incredibly photogenic 48-foot falls attract thousands of photographers each year. And the best part? These stunning falls are easy to visit! The 1.6-mile roundtrip trail is easy to follow and well-maintained, so it’s great for everyone! The best time to visit these is after or during the rainy season.
6. Devil’s Punchbowl
To end the incredible first day of your 2 days in Olympic National Park, you can hike to one of the most beautiful lookouts on Lake Crescent, Devil’s Punchbowl. This area has a bridge leading to the lake waters, where you can watch the sunset or swim!
The 2.5-mile roundtrip trail is easy to follow and well-maintained, so it’s great for everyone! Whether you want to watch the sunset, enjoy the lake views, or take a dip into one of the clearest lakes in Washington, you will love the Devil’s Punchbowl!
Day 2 in olympic national park
Day 2 of your 2 days in Olympic National Park has stunning beaches and rainforests! Also, if the weather seems a bit moody and not sunny, don’t be sad! These beaches and rainforests are stunning in any weather!
1. Rialto Beach
Ready to start another day off with an incredible sunrise? Although you won’t be able to watch the sunrise over the ocean, it’ll shine a stunning golden glow over the area! Rialto Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in Olympic National Park that has everything from sea stacks in the ocean to huge pieces of driftwood.
You can enjoy the views from the beach near the parking lot or hike to the Hole in the Wall. The 3.5-mile roundtrip trail follows along the shores of Rialto Beach towards the towering sea stacks standing in the ocean, including the infamous Hole in the Wall. The Hole in the Wall is a classic photo location where you can stand in a rock hole with the ocean in the background.
If you decide to hike to the Hole in the Wall, make sure you check the tides. You want to avoid hiking near high tide because the trail is inaccessible. When we visited, we did not look at the tide schedule, and we had to run back because the tide was moving in quickly! There usually is a posting near the bathrooms with the tide schedule.
2. Third Beach
Third Beach is one of three consecutive beaches along the coast of Olympic National Park. If you don’t have time to visit all three, I recommend visiting Second Beach because it has one of the most beautiful hikes!
Third Beach has a 3.6-mile roundtrip trail that leads you through a forest and brings you to the beach. Once you are on Third Beach, you can enjoy the views of the ocean and sea stacks and look over to Second Beach, which is your next stop.
3. Second Beach
Second Beach is the most beautiful beach out of the three, in my opinion, and has one of the most beautiful views of sea stacks. The 2-mile roundtrip trail brings you along many switchbacks down a steep hill before leading you to the beach.
Once you are on Second Beach, you can relax and take in the beautiful views of the epic 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!
4. First Beach
First Beach is the easiest beach to access of the three because it does not require hiking. The beach features large pieces of driftwood and sea stacks in the ocean. Because this is the easiest to access, it tends to be busy, but it is a great spot to relax!
5. Hoh Rainforest
Now it is time to head away from the ocean for a scenery change! 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 spanning from California to Alaska!
The best part about the Hoh Rainforest is you can experience it in different ways. The most popular and easiest way to explore it by hiking the Hall of Mosses Trail. The 1-mile roundtrip trail loops you through stunning old-growth forests and moss-draped trees. We loved this trail because the trees were gorgeous!
If you want another easy trail, the Spruce Nature Trail is perfect. The easy 1.2-mile roundtrip trail loops you through new-growth and old-growth forests along the Hoh River.
If you want 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’s 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!
6. Ruby Beach
I hope you are not over gorgeous beaches because Ruby Beach is next! The stunning beach has red sand around sea stacks that make it unique compared to the others. You can spend some time relaxing and enjoying the views or walking along its shores to different viewpoints.
Ruby Beach was among our favorite beaches in Olympic National Park. The clouds were moving in quickly, so we could not enjoy the views for long, but I know you will love visiting the beach!
7. Quinault Rainforest
Quinault Rainforest is the lesser-known rainforest in Olympic National Park but is just as beautiful. It is the perfect alternative to the Hoh Rainforest if you are looking for something less crowded.
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 quite a few trails off of this loop if you are looking for a longer hike, too!
After you finish exploring, you can enjoy the sunset back near the ocean or on Lake Quinault!
Itinerary for 2 Days in Olympic National Park Overview
Day 1
Hurricane Ridge
Madison Falls
Marymere Falls
Mount Storm King
Lake Crescent
Sol Duc Falls
Devil's Punchbowl
Day 2
Rialto Beach
Third Beach
Second Beach
First Beach
Hoh Rainforest
Ruby Beach
Quinault Rainforest
Lake Quinault
If you are looking for the best way to spend 2 days in Olympic National Park, this guide is the perfect place to start because it has everything you need to plan an incredible trip! We saw many of the must-see attractions in two days, so it is doable! Whether you want to hike your days away or enjoy easy walks through beautiful areas, this Olympic National Park 2-day itinerary is perfect for you!
If you have more time to spend in Washington, you should add Mount Rainier National Park and North Cascades National Park to your itinerary! You can visit all three national parks in an epic one-week road trip, too!
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!
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