How to Spend One Day in Olympic National Park
Struggling trying to figure out how to spend one day in Olympic National Park? Can you do Olympic National Park in one day? This national park in Washington is incredible, beautiful, diverse…and huge. So is one day enough? Not to see it all. But spending a day in Olympic will be worth your while for all the things you can see.
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We spent a few days in Olympic National Park and still didn’t see it all. But what we saw was still amazing and totally worth the trip. So if you just have 1 day there, it is definitely worth it.
Here I’ll show you some top spots to hit, even just in a day. From stunning waterfalls to rocky shorelines and incredible views, a day in Olympic is all you need to appreciate the beauty of this pacific coast park.
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What to Know About Olympic National Park
If you’ve looked into the park already, then you know there’s a lot to see. One thing you should know is that the park is huge. So to see it all requires hours and hours of driving.
That’s what makes this 1-day Olympic National Park itinerary great, though. You’ll limit driving while still seeing much of the diversity the park offers.
I think any chance you get to visit a national park with the kids is worth it, no matter how long or short.
Here’s what to know about the park:
- It’s huge. You won’t get to see it all in one day, and that’s ok!
- The park consists of land areas on both sides of highway 101.
- There are a few lodges in the park, though some are seasonal.
- If there is a lodge, there is typically a restaurant. But you’ll want to pack your own snacks for the car for the drive.
- You do not need reservations/timed-entry, but you do need a pass to enter ($30 at a ranger station or America the Beautiful interagency pass)
- Summer is dry season (though it may still rain!), any other time is pretty rainy.
One Day in Olympic National Park
Here’s your Olympic National Park 1 day itinerary. We’ll start in Port Angeles, the main town closest to Olympic on the north side, and work down from there with a few fun stops!
Stop 1: Marymere Falls and Lake Crescent
As you drive in toward Olympic National Park, you’ll first see a lake on the left (Lake Sutherland), and a few more miles down the road you’ll see Lake Crescent on the Right.
Pull into the Lake Crescent area and park where the sign lead you for Marymere Falls.
This waterfall is an easy 1.7 mile roundtrip hike to a waterfall. It’s totally doable even for younger hikers as the trail is often wide and flat.
When you return from the falls, go over to the Lake Crescent Lodge where you can rent kayaks or paddleboards to finish out the morning on the water.
Lake Crescent is scenic and inspiring, albeit pretty cold from the glacial waters that create it. You’re welcome to also just hop in the water, though that might be best saved for hot summer days.
When you’re finished on the lake, grab some lunch at the lodge (seasonal.)
Stop 2: Sol Duc Falls
*Note that the road to Sol Duc Falls (Sol Duc Hot Springs Road) is seasonal. Once it has winter weather, it closes for the season.
Sol Duc Falls is one of the better-known waterfalls in the park. You’ll witness 3 falls dropping down, each stream separated by the rocks they run through. The hike to get here is easy and 1.8 miles round trip. If you’ve got really young ones, consider bringing a hiking carrier for if they get tired and need a rest.
Stop 3: Ancient Groves Trail
*Seasonal, as it’s located off the same road.
Ancient Groves Trail is a great, quick trail to through in to get a taste of that mossy rainforest the park is known for. And for only having one day in Olympic National Park, this is a great alternative to Hoh Rainforest (which takes 2 hours just to drive to from Port Angeles.)
Ancient Groves Trail is an easy, .6 mile loop through giant, mossy trees. It’s easy and short for even the youngest ones to experience on their own feet.
Stop 4: Rialto Beach
Our final stop of the day gives you some beach time at Rialto Beach. This is just about an hour’s drive from the Ancient Groves trail.
Rialto is located just north of the town La Push. It’s a beautiful beach area with driftwood, wildlife (watch for whales in the distance!), sea stacks, and even tide pools.
Many people like to hike to Hole in the Wall, but I won’t recommend this for families with kids on this schedule since at this point you’ve already got a lot of hiking in.
If you do choose to: This hike is 1.5 miles one-way and must be done during low tide. If you go at low and the tide comes in, you’ll be stuck. If you do attempt this, make sure to talk to a ranger and study the tide schedules.
That said, just hanging out at Rialto Beach is a great way to end the day and relax a little, taking in the beach and coastline section of Olympic National Park.
You’re now just 1 hour and 20 minutes drive back to Port Angeles.
Going to Olympic in Winter?
If you’re heading to Olympic National Park in winter, then you’ll want to adjust since Sol Duc Hot Springs Road is closed. Instead, visit the top of Hurricane Ridge as your first stop for the day. Your itinerary would look like this instead:
- Hurricane Ridge (road up is open on weekends, weather permitting).
- Lake Crescent / Marymere Falls (no water rentals in winter, but you can still hike and relax at the lake).
- Rialto Beach
The road up to Hurricane Ridge is near Port Angeles, so it’s a great place to start. It’s also a long road up (18 miles), so take it easy and enjoy the views. The top is worth it!
Day Trip to Olympic National Park from Seattle
Looking to make a day trip from Seattle over to Olympic? That can be done, too! The drive from Seattle to Port Angeles (again, the town right at the beginning of the park. It’s located on the northern side) is around 2-1/2 hours driving, so you’ll want to leave early to make the most of your day.
If you’re able to leave early (6 or 7 am), that should put you in the park no later than 9 to begin the 1 day in Olympic itinerary. That should still give you plenty of time!
If you really want to make things easier, book a day trip from Seattle. This one gives you a ferry ride and a few stops in Olympic.
👉🏼 Check out the 1-day Tour to Olympic National Park From Seattle
How Many Days Do You Need in Olympic National Park?
For families, I would say the ideal amount of time to spend in Olympic is 3-4 days. 3 days will really get you time to see many things, while 4 days might just slow it down a little.
While 1 day gives you a great sampler, you do end up missing a few great places. 3 Days would give you time to drive down closer to Hoh Rainforest and the Quinault area, which are both gorgeous.
If you are interested in the 3 day plan, you can grab this 3 day digital planner and have it all done for you!
Before you go to Olympic
Before you go, make sure to check any closures. This especially applies in winter.
In winter, sometimes certain roads are closed. Occasionally, the whole park closes if they’ve had significant winter weather. Check ahead to make sure your plans will work!
One Day in Olympic National Park
That was your family-friendly 1-day itinerary for Olympic National Park. What do you think? This park has so much to offer that it’s hard to squeeze it all in, but this one day in Olympic shows you waterfalls, rainforest, a beautiful lake, and even the pacific coastline that’s part of the park. If you’re wondering what to do in one day in Olympic, that’s a great sampler for what the park offers.
