How to Get to Olympic National Park: Airports, Access, and Transportation
Olympic National Park covers the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State, at the northwestern tip of the contiguous United States. Most visitors fly into Seattle-Tacoma (SEA), about 2.5 to 3 hours from Port Angeles by ferry. Pick up a car at the airport. It's the only way to explore the park in full.
Airports around the park (5)
- Airport Friday Harbor Airport FRD · 58 miles from the park · regional Directions ↗
- Airport Victoria International Airport YYJ · 59 miles from the park · international Directions ↗
- Airport Tacoma Narrows Airport TIW · 63 miles from the park · regional Directions ↗
- Airport Seattle Paine Field International Airport PAE · 65 miles from the park · international Directions ↗
- Airport King County International Airport - Boeing Field BFI · 66 miles from the park · international Directions ↗
Base map © OpenStreetMap · © CARTO Where to Fly: Which Airport Is Best for Olympic National Park
The Closest Regional Airport
Port Angeles's William R. Fairchild International Airport (IATA code: CLM) is the most direct option for reaching the park's northern area. It's about a 10-minute drive from the main entrance. Flights to Seattle are available through Kenmore Air and San Juan Airlines, but they are infrequent and expensive. This option works best if you're arriving from Seattle for a short stay and want to avoid the ferry.
The Major International Hub
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) is the usual gateway to Olympic National Park. All the major rental car companies operate there, international and domestic flights are plentiful, and the route to the peninsula is well marked. Plan on 100 to 125 miles, depending on your route, and 2.5 to 3 hours of travel time.
Getting to Olympic National Park from France: Direct Flight or Layover
There are currently no direct flights from Paris to Seattle. Common options connect through Amsterdam with KLM or Air France on a codeshare, or through a U.S. East Coast hub such as New York-JFK, Boston, or Atlanta. Plan on 12 to 14 hours of door-to-door travel, including one layover, and arrival at SEA. Secondary airports such as Paris-Orly, Lyon, and Bordeaux sometimes offer connections through London Heathrow or Frankfurt.
For the overall budget, the Rates & Passes page provides guidance on entrance fees and passes. Airfare is the hardest cost to predict.
By Car: Distances and Drive Times from Gateway Towns
A car is essential. Once you're on the Olympic Peninsula, Highway 101 circles the park and serves each area.
| Gateway town | Approximate distance | Estimated drive time |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle (via Bainbridge Island ferry) | ~105 miles | 2.5 to 3 hours |
| Seattle (via Tacoma, no ferry) | ~180 miles | 3.5 to 4 hours |
| Olympia (to Lake Quinault, south area) | ~137 miles | 2.5 hours |
| Portland, Oregon (to Port Angeles) | ~242 miles | 5 to 5.5 hours |
| Vancouver, Canada (to Port Angeles) | ~168 miles | 3 to 3.5 hours |
The Washington State Ferries route between Seattle's Coleman Dock, Pier 52, and Bainbridge Island cuts the trip to the northern peninsula considerably. The crossing takes 35 minutes. The car-and-driver fare varies by season, so check the Washington State Ferries website before you leave. Reservations are strongly recommended in July and August. Lines without a reservation can exceed an hour.
Keep to 55 mph on the peninsula's secondary roads and 35 to 45 mph on park roads. Wildlife regularly crosses these routes, and the sharp turns leave little room for error.
Olympic National Park Entrances
Olympic National Park is divided into three separate, noncontiguous areas connected by Highway 101, which circles the peninsula.
Northern area (Port Angeles). This is the busiest access point. The Port Angeles Visitor Center is the starting point for Hurricane Ridge, the Elwha Valley, and Sol Duc Hot Springs. Hurricane Ridge Road climbs to 5,250 feet and offers views of the range's snowcapped peaks.
Western area (temperate rain forests). There are two main access points. Reach Hoh Rain Forest from Forks via Hoh Road, 19 miles from Highway 101. Reach Quinault from the south, starting in the community of Humptulips. The roads are narrow but well maintained outside the winter flood season.
Coastal strip. Several points along Highway 101 provide access to the park's coastline. Rialto Beach, via La Push Road from Forks, and Ruby Beach, directly off Highway 101, are the easiest sites to reach.
The park is open 24 hours a day, year-round. Some roads and campgrounds close in winter. Hurricane Ridge Road typically opens only in midmorning from November through April, after daily snow removal.
Entrance fees are $30 per vehicle, valid for 7 days; $25 per motorcycle; and $15 per person arriving on foot or by bicycle. The park's annual pass costs $55. The Rates & Passes page explains exemptions and the America the Beautiful pass.
Getting Around Olympic National Park: Car, Shuttle, and Parking
The park has no cross-park road. To get from Port Angeles to Quinault, you have to follow Highway 101 around the peninsula, which takes 3.5 to 4 hours. In summer, usually from July through early September, a free shuttle runs from the Port Angeles Visitor Center to Hurricane Ridge, with departures about once an hour. Parking lots at major sites such as Hoh Rain Forest, Hurricane Ridge, and Sol Duc fill up between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. on busy days. Arrive before 8:30 a.m. or after 3 p.m. RVs longer than 26 feet are discouraged on some sections, including Hurricane Ridge Road. The Olympic National Park RV guide explains restrictions by area. For details on internal traffic, shuttles, and seasonal parking, see the guide to getting around Olympic National Park.
Other Options: Tours and Public Transportation
From Seattle without a car. Several operators offer one- or two-day tours to Olympic National Park from Seattle. It's comfortable, but you have no flexibility, and outlying sites such as Hoh Rain Forest and the coast are often left out.
Intercity buses. Clallam Transit connects Seattle and Port Angeles by bus, so check current schedules. Once you're in Port Angeles, local transit covers part of the peninsula. It's possible to combine the two, but the trip takes time. This option really only works for a stay focused on the northern area.
Bicycle. Cycling around the peninsula on Highway 101 is an adventure in its own right and is popular with North American touring cyclists. The park itself has no dedicated bike paths separated from the roads.
In Summary: The Best Route Based on Your Starting Point
From France, fly into Seattle-Tacoma (SEA), rent a car at the airport, and take the ferry to Bainbridge Island. It's the fastest and most direct route to Port Angeles. From Canada or the northern United States, northbound Highway 101 is the natural route. From the south, including Portland and San Francisco, take Highway 101 north via Olympia to reach Lake Quinault or Port Angeles.
See our Itinerary & Timing guide to plan your route once you're on the peninsula, and our Where to Stay page to choose among a lodge, campground, or accommodation in a gateway town.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which airport should I use to visit Olympic National Park?
Seattle-Tacoma Airport (SEA) is the best airport for visiting Olympic National Park. It offers the widest selection of international and domestic flights and is 2.5 to 3 hours from the park via the Bainbridge Island ferry.
How do I get to Olympic National Park from France?
Getting to Olympic National Park from France requires a flight with a layover to Seattle-Tacoma (SEA), for a total travel time of 12 to 14 hours. From SEA, a rental car and the ferry to Bainbridge Island are the most direct option.
How do I drive to Olympic National Park from Seattle?
Take the Washington State Ferries route from Seattle's Coleman Dock to Bainbridge Island, a 35-minute crossing. Then follow Highway 305 north, Highway 3, and Highway 101 to Port Angeles. Plan on about 2.5 hours total.
Can I visit Olympic National Park without a car?
You can visit Olympic National Park without a car, but it takes some planning. Buses connect Seattle and Port Angeles via Clallam Transit. Once you're there, the free summer shuttle serves Hurricane Ridge. For the western and coastal areas, you'll still need a rental car or an organized tour.
How much does it cost to enter Olympic National Park?
Entrance to Olympic National Park costs $30 per vehicle for 7 days and $15 per person arriving on foot or by bicycle. The park's annual pass costs $55. For entrance fees and annual passes, see the National Parks Rates & Passes page.
When is the best time to visit Olympic National Park?
July, August, and September are the driest and most pleasant months. Our When to Visit page explains the advantages and limitations of each season in each area of the park.
Where should I stay when visiting Olympic National Park?
You'll find forest lodges, riverside campgrounds, and accommodations in gateway towns such as Port Angeles and Forks. The Olympic National Park lodging guide brings together options by area and budget.