See a Winter Wonderland on Skis or Snowshoes Cross-country skiing on Hurricane Ridge. Fern-bordered shaded trails, boardwalks, a bridge and two overlooks make this excursion a true pleasure for the whole family. The thick wooded trail to the falls is a ‘mere’ three-quarter mile from the Storm King ranger station at Lake Crescent to the waterfall. Take the 1.6-mile round trip easy jaunt from the roadside trailhead or a more challenging 6-mile round trip hike on Lovers Lane Loop from the trailhead at Sol Duc Campground Loop B.Įven though the Marymere Falls is a single narrow stream of water, it makes up for it with its grand 90-foot drop into a pool below. Sol Duc Falls is the park’s signature triple waterfall with two choices of trails. With the two most popular falls inside the national park boundaries both located on the northern edge, it’s convenient to do both in the same day. The Olympic Peninsula is known for its abundance of waterfalls. Hike to a Waterfall The lower overlook at Marymere Falls Gloria Wadzinski There are three mineral hot springs pools ranging in temperatures of 99F to 104F, and one freshwater pool at the resort. The pools at Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort can be a welcome relief if you have been out all day in the rain or if you just want to relax your muscles from a strenuous hike. ![]() Soak in Naturally Hot Pools The swimming pool at Sol Duc Hot Spring Resort Courtesy Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort Or take a narrated scenic cruise to learn more about the park. Go human-powered with kayak, canoe and paddleboard rentals available at both lakes. Olympic National Park’s two most popular lakes are Lake Crescent on the north edge of the park, and Lake Quinault in the southwest corner. Float on a Lake Kayaking on Lake Crescent in Olympic National Park Deposit Photos Olympus and the Hoh Rainforest far below. One of the finest high-elevation hikes in all the national parks circles the Seven Lakes Basin the loop can be hiked in two or three days and offers vistas of Mt. ![]() The quickest way to the top is to drive to Hurricane Ridge, where you can get excellent views from the visitor center and connect with hiking trails. Olympic’s inner alpine zone encompasses dramatic, craggy peaks soaring to almost 8,000 feet and wildflower-dotted meadows frequented by mountain goats and marmots. Reach New Heights on the Mountain Trails Mountain hiking on Hurricane Hill Trail Justin Bailie Whale watching can be done right from the beaches (look for Whale Trail stations) and during winter, the waves crashing on the rocks steal the show. The tide pools are excellent at northern Shi Shi Beach, and Second and Third Beaches offer beach camping at its finest. At the southern end, Kalaloch Beach offers miles of driftwood-strewn sand, plus a campground, hotel, and restaurant. With 73 miles of wilderness coast, there’s no shortage of beach trips at Olympic. But the park’s rugged Pacific coast features a stunningly beauty all its own: sculpted sea stacks, tide pools, high bluffs, wildlife, and endless ocean views. This is no California beach-the water can be too cold for swimming, and the weather often too wet for sunbathing. Spend a Day at the Beach Olympic Coast Sea Stacks. Olympic also features several champion trees, the biggest examples of a species in the nation: See the largest Sitka spruce (191 feet, Quinault), western redcedar (159 feet, Quinault Big Cedar Trail), Pacific silver fir (220 feet, Bogachiel Valley), and Douglas fir (281 feet, Quinault). Giant sitka spruce tree in one of Olympic National Park’s rainforests Justin Bailie The Hoh Rain Forest is the most popular place to see this ecosystem, and it’s well worth a visit, but don’t overlook the equally impressive Quinault and Bogachiel Valleys. ![]() Found primarily on the west and southwest sides of the park, these rainforests are home to towering western redcedars, hemlocks, Douglas firs, and Sitka spruces, plus an assortment of giant ferns, moss, and lichen. Olympic protects one of the most unique habitats on the planet-the temperate rainforest. See Big Trees Covered in Moss Kids run on the Hall of Mosses Trail in Olympic National Park’s Hoh Rain Forest Justin Bailie Don’t miss these must-do activities including exploring rainforests, strolling past sea stacks on beaches and hiking Hurricane Ridge trails. Olympic National Park and the surrounding areas are a things-to-do Mecca! You’ll be hard-pressed to fit it all in a single vacation.
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