Olympic National Park Tips | 5 Things to Know Before You Go!

[@JP-dz7zu]

Not sure about you guys,but I like to be closer to the Hoh. Always.

[@DirtInMyShoes]

We usually spend the majority of our time in the Forks/Hoh/Kalaloch area these days, so I agree!

[@donnymac575]

This is great information for those unfamiliar with the area. Keep up the good work! Subscribed.

[@DirtInMyShoes]

Awesome, thank you!

[@jackieruprecht3588]

You're a kind person to offering the service to us

[@DirtInMyShoes]

Happy to help!

[@anthonyc8499]

Olympic is sorta like an island with only a ring road around it. 100% agree that you’re going to be spending a lot of time in the car.

[@DirtInMyShoes]

Most people don't understand that, and it can add a ton of drive time to your trip if you don't plan your days/lodging accordingly!

[@anthonyc8499]

@ I’ve stayed at Sol Duc and Lake Quinault. Both are great, and the hot springs are an especially nice perk, but that long drive up the access road is a drag by the third day. Don’t try to stay in Lake Quinault or Kalaloch and expect to just pop over to Sol Duc or Lake Crescent. It’s pushing 150 miles on 2-lane hilly highways round trip.

[@philmcbride5576]

Thank you! I’ve been there twice and am going back in June. Very good advice… I went blind and had to learn the hard way… but I love to drive!

[@DirtInMyShoes]

That's a good park to visit if you love to drive :) I hope you have a great return trip!

[@mjrinegar]

Thank you so much for this. Super well done, well thought out, full of valuable info, loved the explanations using the map. I will be contacting you when I go. Thank you again.

[@DirtInMyShoes]

Happy to help!

[@dcbates80911]

Having visited several different National Parks, Olympic is in my top three. Great tips, especially breaking up where you stay if you can. We spent two nights at Sol Duc Hot Springs and two nights at Kalaloch. The beaches were so unique. The large drift wood on the foggy beaches provided a very eerie landscape at times. The difference at Ruby beach between low and high tides was dramatic. I don’t think there is a part of the park I did not like, but planning is important. Again, great tips.

[@DirtInMyShoes]

That's awesome! I'm glad you loved it so much!

[@tonycuriel5948]

How was your stay at Kalaloch? Staying their at the end of next month 😊

[@LeToQuee]

We are some oversea tourists and we would like to thank you very much for this very helpful video 😊

[@DirtInMyShoes]

Glad it was helpful!

[@terrywbreedlove]

I live here in Forks and I am always on one of the beaches. And the HOH Rainforest or Sol Duc. Forks is a great little hub to see them all. But lodging can be tough to find in the summer and not enough good restaurants. Staying in Forks and hitting Hurricane Ridge on your drive out might work best. The HOH Rainforest is open year around but the Sol Duc is closed during winter months

[@DirtInMyShoes]

Very cool! We always stay in Forks for a night or two when we're visiting Olympic. Beautiful place!

[@MadelineRose-ep7fj]

WSDOT Regional will keep you uptodate on construction areas. Sequim has a wonderful Visitors Center. Cell phones may not work or may subject you to roaming charges. Mechanical breakdowns are no fun, very limited towing available. Chains in winter! There are many clean and economical hotels and motels. Practice safe driving, roads are designed for exiting traffic with plenty of time to get into them. Talk to the locals for the "best" places to eat local foods and fresh seafood. Report price gouging--one hotel charged 3 different costs for the 3-day weekend. Check the safety of your room, door and windows lock. Always share good experiences with the local chamber, as well as bad. Get up rested with a plan for the day, but also be prepared for alternate ideas.❤

[@DirtInMyShoes]

Lots of great tips :)

[@SandraReyes-dp3sj]

Very informative. Thank you for putting this together!

[@DirtInMyShoes]

Glad it was helpful!

[@KiddAmnesiac]

I love this park. It's many parks in one. It's gotten expensive and you have to book way in advance, but staying at the Lake Crescent Lodge and the Lake Quinault Lodge is a treat if you can afford it.

[@DirtInMyShoes]

Yes, I love those beautiful lodges! Some of the best in the parks!

[@philmcbride5576]

I love Lake Quinault, but the service and food has suffered… but I would say that for all of North America and Canada… the baby boomers are taking over

[@christywanders]

Visiting in a few weeks and your tips are helpful!

[@DirtInMyShoes]

So glad to hear. Have fun!

[@davidtao4192]

Love your presentation! Tips are very helpful!

[@DirtInMyShoes]

Glad it was helpful!

[@nydiah664]

Thanks for the advice!! Subscribed 😊

[@DirtInMyShoes]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@ExploringAlabama]

A professor at a local university just told me about your channel and I love it. We are heading to Oregon (Portland area I think) for a senior trip. You have any videos in Oregon? Thanks

[@DirtInMyShoes]

I don't have much at this point -- Crater Lake is the only national park in Oregon! But we have covered that area a few times on our Exploring the National Parks Podcast: dirtinmyshoes.com/podcast

[@heatherkinser4931]

Thank you for this informative video!

[@DirtInMyShoes]

You're welcome!

[@maureenbeckstead6407]

Good job. Thanks.

[@DirtInMyShoes]

Thanks for watching!

[@Lilita31]

Very helpful! Thank you

[@DirtInMyShoes]

You're welcome!

[@ddphotoadventure2657]

Hi Oh geez I am the first to give a comment. Nice job on your videos!!!

[@DirtInMyShoes]

Thanks!

[@DianesPaperArt]

Wonderful and informative video. Planning to visit next year. Is May a good month to visit all 3 National Parks? Tryiing to avoid the crowds. Will travel in a RV.

[@DirtInMyShoes]

No, Rainier and North Cascades will still be extremely snowy in May. Olympic is usually ok at that time, but Hurricane Ridge will still be snowy. If you want to visit all 3 when the weather/conditions are best for hiking and exploring, you'll want to go in mid-late July.

[@DianesPaperArt]

@@DirtInMyShoes Thank You. I appreciate the reply.

[@tonycuriel5948]

Thank you for the info! Any recommendations for sites to see or fishing spots near Hoh Rainforest?

[@DirtInMyShoes]

I don't typically fish, so I'm not the best to ask. But there are lots of cool nearby sites, and you can find a list of my favorites on dirtinmyshoes.com

[@Vollmilchwirdsauer87]

Thanks for the Video. We are planing on spending 3 Days at Fairholme Campground, 1 Day at Quinault and 2 Days at Staircase Campground in August 2025 woth a car and a tent, no RV. Do the Campground get reserved at fast at they get at Yosemite?

[@DirtInMyShoes]

No, not as fast as Yosemite! But still fast, so I would plan on booking as soon as they become available.

[@dorismorales631]

Thank you for all the information about Olympic national park. I’m planning to go 9th thur 13th on September with my husband. Would you give me tip for scheduling for us. Like hotel and trail(popular). Thank you again you’re best.

[@DirtInMyShoes]

You'll find my schedule/tips in the Olympic Itinerary at www.dirtinmyshoes.com/national-park-trip-itineraries/

[@Ludachris610]

We live in WA, recently went to 3rd Beach near LA Push, trail is 4 miles out & back. Once u get to beach turn left for about 1/2 mile saw like 200 starfish in the tide pools. Hurricane Ridge & Solduc Falls are great.

[@Eduardo.Servicios.Informaticos]

Hi Ash. Really nice video. I would like your advice for which park will be the best choice for someone like me (traveling from south america) already traveled to Glacier National Park on 2023 and its looking for visiting another U.S National Park for 7 days (staying at just one hotel) by September 2025 and having a similar great experience as i had visiting Glacier (be able to do high altitude hikes, whatch waterfalls, maybe some forest trails and stay at shore lakes as the "Lake McDonald") Considering all that + that i want to spend an extra day visiting Seattle City.. your advice for me.. would be.. a)Olympic?. or b)North Cascades?.

[@DirtInMyShoes]

If you want something similar to Glacier, I'd go to Mount Rainier. It has all of those things you listed! Olympic would be my second choice!

[@Eduardo.Servicios.Informaticos]

​@@DirtInMyShoes thanks for the advices!!. My trip to glacier was really awesome. Its been a year since i traveled and i still have all the landscape images fresh at my mind. Keep up with this great videos. Greetings!!

[@stepheniedavies4384]

Really enjoy your videos Ash! Quick question: if you are planning on camping with a trailer, and you want to move campgrounds so you are staying in two parts of the park (e.g., near Port Angeles and Forks), how difficult will it be to find parking with a trailer at places en route (e.g., Lake Crescent, Sol Duc)? Thanks!

[@DirtInMyShoes]

It's pretty challenging :( Lake Crescent has some larger parking spaces for vehicles with boat trailers, but you'd have to get there quite early to snatch up one of those. Sol Duc Falls doesn't really have anywhere to park with a trailer in tow, so I personally wouldn't try to make it all the way back there. We do usually camp in both Port Angeles and Forks when we go, but we usually don't plan on doing much as we drive between the two...we usually either have longer days and try to get to those places while we're staying at one or the other, or we book in an extra day for moving the trailer. I hope that helps!

[@stepheniedavies4384]

@@DirtInMyShoes That totally helps. I will adjust accordingly. Thanks so much!

[@jodyfeazell6513]

We are going in early September are there alot of mosquitos during that time of the year? Thanks!

[@DirtInMyShoes]

We always just plan on it!

[@mbc3470]

First time visitor coming from Edmonds. Is it still crowded after Labor Day?

[@DirtInMyShoes]

It isn't usually too bad :)

[@JakeCorvera-q7f]

should I go to rialto or ruby beach? only have time for one

[@DirtInMyShoes]

If it's low tide, I'd go to Rialto and hike to Hole-in-the-Wall. If not, Ruby!

[@terrywbreedlove]

Either is great Ruby is less of a walk. And it is right on Highway 101.

[@pauldefazio3480]

Why at your young age? Are you a former park ranger?

[@DirtInMyShoes]

I'm not as young as I look :) But I stopped working for the park service so that I could stay at home with my son. I miss it though!