Getting Around Olympic National Park: Access, Entrances, Shuttles, and Parking

By Victoria Boissonade · Data: National Park Service · ← Complete guide Olympic

In brief: At Olympic, you'll need a car. Unlike Zion, the park doesn't require you to use a shuttle. You can travel freely between areas, all connected by Highway 101 as it loops around the Olympic Peninsula. Fill up your tank and download your maps before entering. Cell service disappears after the first curves in the road.

How to Get to Olympic National Park

Most visitors reach Olympic from Seattle, about 3.5 hours by car via I-5 and Highway 101, or 2.5 to 3 hours by taking the ferry from the peninsula. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) is about a 3-hour drive from Port Angeles.

Park Entrances and Which One to Choose

Olympic has several entrance points spread around the peninsula: Hurricane Ridge, 17 miles from Port Angeles; Hoh Rain Forest, 19 miles from Highway 101; Sol Duc; Rialto Beach; Kalaloch Beach; and Staircase. Each one opens onto a distinct ecosystem. The entrance fee is $30 per vehicle in 2025, and the America the Beautiful pass is accepted. To choose the access point that fits your plans, see the details for each Olympic National Park entrance.

Getting Around the Park

By Car

This is the main way to get around and, for most areas, the only way. Here are a few practical things to keep in mind before you leave.

The speed limit varies by area, from 25 mph in sensitive areas to 45 mph on some sections of Highway 101. Signs change frequently, so pay attention to them.

No road crosses the heart of the park. To get from Hurricane Ridge to the Hoh Rain Forest, you have to take Highway 101 back around the peninsula. The distance table below will help you avoid underestimating drive times.

Hurricane Ridge Road is subject to nighttime and winter closures depending on weather conditions. The road climbs to 5,250 feet, and snow can arrive at any time of year in the mountains. Check its status on the official NPS website before leaving your lodging.

Seasonal Shuttle

A Hurricane Ridge shuttle service runs on some summer weekends between the Port Angeles Visitor Center and the summit. It's a practical way to avoid the stress of finding parking during peak season and enjoy the views without watching the clock. Schedules change every year, so check with the park when the season opens. Outside Hurricane Ridge, there is no shuttle network within the park.

By Bike

Bikes are allowed on paved roads, but Olympic has no dedicated bike paths within its boundaries. Hurricane Ridge is suitable only for experienced cyclists because of the significant elevation gain and shared motor-vehicle traffic. The Olympic Discovery Trail, outside the park, is the most practical option for families and occasional cyclists.

Where to Park: Lots and Parking

Parking is included with the entrance fee, with no additional charge. Spaces, however, fill up early in the season.

• Hurricane Ridge: large parking lot, full before 9 a.m. in July and August. Arrive before 8:30 a.m. or take the shuttle from Port Angeles.
• Hoh Rain Forest: similar pressure on summer weekends; aim to arrive by 8 a.m. at the latest.
• Sol Duc and Staircase: less competition, but spaces near the trailheads fill by midmorning.
• Rialto Beach: a small lot; Pacific sunsets draw crowds in the late afternoon.
• Kalaloch Beach: direct access from Highway 101, with accessible parking spaces and traffic spread more evenly throughout the day.

If a parking lot is full, don't park on unmarked shoulders. Rangers issue tickets, and the road shoulders can be unstable. To choose the best times to visit, see when to visit Olympic National Park, with high- and low-crowd periods by season.

Distances and Drive Times Between Areas

Olympic covers about 1,429 square miles and has no internal road connecting all its areas. Everything runs along Highway 101, which loops around the peninsula.

These figures show why combining Hurricane Ridge and the Hoh Rain Forest in a single day requires leaving before 7 a.m. To plan your areas around the number of days you have available, our Itinerary & Length guide offers several ready-made plans.

Special Cases: RVs, Vans, Accessible Parking, and Pets

RVs and vans: Hurricane Ridge Road advises against vehicles and trailers over 21 feet long because of the sharp turns and steep grades. The other areas are much more accommodating. The park campgrounds accommodate RVs but have no electric hookups, so you'll need to bring your own water. The Olympic RV guide details suitable sites area by area.

Accessible parking: The main parking lots at Hurricane Ridge, Hoh Rain Forest, and Kalaloch have reserved spaces. The Hurricane Ridge and Kalaloch Visitor Centers are wheelchair accessible. The first few miles of the Hoh River Trail are relatively flat and manageable.

Pets: Dogs and cats are allowed in the park on a leash no longer than 6 feet at all times, in parking areas and campgrounds. They aren't allowed on trails or in backcountry areas. The beaches accessible by car, including Rialto and Kalaloch, are open to them on the sand, but not on the trails along the shoreline.

Practical Information: Fuel, Cell Service, and Apps

Fuel: There are no gas stations inside the park. Fill up in Port Angeles, Forks, or Sequim before entering. Hoh Road is 19 miles from Highway 101, with no opportunity to refuel.

Cell service: Coverage is nearly nonexistent as soon as you leave Port Angeles or Forks. Take these three steps before entering the park:

• download the official offline NPS map through the NPS app or Maps.me;
• save the ranger number for the north area (360-565-3131);
• check road conditions and current closures on the official NPS website.

The NPS app is free and displays real-time alerts whenever you have service. In the forest or mountains, it also works offline for maps.

Frequently Asked Questions