9 Must-See Spots in Olympic National Park With Kids
Olympic National Park is one of those places that feels almost impossible to describe until you experience it for yourself.
Most national parks have a landscape that immediately comes to mind. Yellowstone has geysers. The Grand Canyon has its canyon. The Great Smoky Mountains are full of mountain views and amazing wildlife.
Olympic National Park somehow gives you several completely different destinations in one.
In just a few days, you can walk through a rainforest covered in moss, explore beaches lined with massive driftwood and sea stacks, hike to waterfalls, stand beside a crystal-clear lake, and drive high into the mountains for views that stretch across the Olympic Peninsula.
That’s what made Olympic National Park one of our favorite stops on our Washington road trip.
We visited the park with our kids as part of our 10-day Washington and Oregon campervan road trip, and while we packed a lot into our time here, there is still so much we didn’t have time to see.
If you’re planning your own family trip, these are the top places I would prioritize.
Olympic National Park With Kids: At a Glance
If you don’t have time to read the entire post, these are the 10 spots I would prioritize:
- Hoh Rain Forest
- Hurricane Ridge Trail
- Lake Crescent
- Sol Duc Falls
- Quinault Rainforest
- Second Beach
- Cape Flattery
- Kalaloch Beach and the Tree of Life
- Salt Creek Recreation Area
One of the most important things to know before planning your trip is that Olympic National Park is much bigger than many families expect. The park covers nearly one million acres, and its major destinations are spread across the Olympic Peninsula.
Trying to visit everything in one day just isn’t realistic. I recommend at least 3 days to see all of the spots on my list.
Interested in my 3-day Olympic National Park itinerary? Read it here.
1. Hoh Rain Forest
If there is one place in Olympic National Park that truly feels like stepping into another world, it’s the Hoh Rain Forest.
Moss hangs from the trees. Ferns cover the forest floor. Giant trees tower above you in all directions. Even our kids immediately noticed that this didn’t look like any forest we had explored before.
The Hoh is one of the finest remaining examples of temperate rainforest in the United States, and it is one of the most popular areas in Olympic National Park – for good reason.
Don’t miss: Hall of Mosses
The Hall of Mosses Trail is the hike I would recommend for nearly every family visiting the Hoh.
The trail is short—right around a mile loop —but it gives you the opportunity to walk directly through some of the park’s most iconic rainforest scenery.
You can also add on the Spruce Nature Trail, which offers a slightly longer look at the rainforest and follows Taft Creek and the Hoh River.
Family tip:
Arrive early.
The Hoh Rain Forest is one of the busiest areas of Olympic National Park, and summer visitors can experience long waits at the entrance. I would recommend arriving by 8 am or after 5 pm to avoid getting stuck in a long line just to enter the parking lot.
2. Hurricane Ridge
Hurricane Ridge feels like an entirely different national park from the Hoh Rain Forest.
You will trade the dense, moss covered trees for wildflower covered mountain meadows.
The area is one of the best places in the park to experience the Olympic Mountains, with ample scenic overlooks and tons of hiking options.
Don’t miss: Hurricane Hill Trail
The Hurricane Hill trail is an epic 3.5 mile out-and-back that offers some of the most panoramic views of the Olympic Mountain range, and I highly recommend experiencing at least part of this trail.
You will love the meadows full of colorful wildflowers, and your kids will have a great time spotting all the wildlife along the hike, like marmots, snowshoe hare and Columbian black-tailed deer.
3. Lake Crescent
If you’re looking to add a more relaxed activity to your itinerary, I would suggest Lake Crescent.
The water is crystal clear and surrounded by forest and mountains, making it one of the most beautiful places in the park.
There are several ways to experience Lake Crescent, depending on how much time you have and what level of activity you are looking for.
You can stop at one of the viewpoints, spend an afternoon relaxing along the shoreline, or use the lake as a starting point for nearby hikes.
You can also rent kayaks from Lake Crescent Lodge and get out on the water.
Don’t miss: Devil’s Punchbowl
One of our favorite stops was the hike to Devil’s Punchbowl.
Follow the Spruce Railroad Trail alongside the lake for about a mile, and then you will break off from the main path to follow a side trail to Devil’s Punchbowl.
It’s a popular spot to go for a swim, although be warned that the water sits in the low 50’s year round.
4. Sol Duc Falls
There are a lot of waterfalls worth visiting in Olympic National Park, but Sol Duc Falls is my number 1 suggestion!
The trail takes you through an old-growth forest that feels like you’ve stepped into Narnia, before reaching the breathtaking waterfall, where the Sol Duc River splits into channels and rushes through a narrow gorge.
The hike is a great one for many families, and the scenery along the way makes the experience feel like more than just a walk to a waterfall.
Family tip
If you’re staying nearby, consider visiting later in the day when some of the crowds have headed home.
We started this trail around 6:30 and had it almost to ourselves. Not to mention, the evening sunlight shining through the trees added a whole level of magic itself.
5. Quinault Rainforest
Similar to the popular Hoh Rainforest, Quinault is one of those places that will take your breath away. And somehow, this place doesn’t seem to be nearly as popular as Hoh, which means less crowds.
I highly recommend taking a stroll along the Kestner Homstead trail – a stunning 1.3 mile loop that takes you through the heart of the Quinault Rainforest.
Spend the afternoon wandering through the moss covered trees, listening to the rain drops and soaking in the magic of the rainforest here.
Why I recommend visiting
Even if you’ve already visited Hoh Rainforest, I think Quinault also deserves a spot on your Olympic National Park itinerary.
I’m not sure if I could ever get enough of the rainforest, but Quinault just has a magical feel to it that can’t compete with the popularity of Hoh.
There’s truly something special about exploring this part of the park without the crowds of people.
6. Second Beach
Second Beach is a must visit coastal stop in Olympic National Park, and will most likely be your kids favorite part of the trip!
To get to this beach, you have to hike along a short yet flat 0.8 mile trail through a lush forest before you suddenly emerge onto the Pacific coastline, surrounded by sea stacks and lovely coastal views.
The trail itself is relatively short and quite interesting – plenty of mud puddles for splashing, and it’s a great trail to search for banana slugs. This makes it a good option for families who want to combine a hike with time at the beach.
Tide Pooling
The true highlight of this beach is the incredible tide pools. Plan your visit during low tide, and you will get the chance to experience crabs, sea stars, urchins, sand dollars, anemones, and more.
7. Cape Flattery
Technically, Cape Flattery is located on the Makah Indian Reservation and not inside Olympic National Park, but I still think it deserves a spot on your family’s Olympic Peninsula itinerary.
The 1.2 mile trail winds through the forest before opening onto viewpoints overlooking the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the Pacific Ocean.
The views are incredible, and this is considered the northwesternmost point of the contiguous United States.
It’s also a great spot to watch for wildlife, like bald eagles, whales, puffins and sea lions.
Is it worth the detour?
That depends on your family and their priorities.
The coastline here feels rugged and wild, and the viewing platforms offer a perspective that is very different from the beaches you’ll explore inside Olympic National Park.
That said, it is a bit of a trek to get to Cape Flattery, and adds several hours to your day.
If you are short on time, or are looking for afternoon spent more out of the car than in, I’d skip Cape Flattery.
But if you have plenty of time on the Olympic Peninsula, I would definitely add this to your itinerary.
8. Kalaloch and the Tree of Life
The Kalaloch area is another place that deserves some time on your Olympic National Park itinerary.
While the beach itself is beautiful, probably the most famous sight here is the Tree of Life.
This 150+ year old tree appears to be suspended over a ravine, with much of its root system exposed beneath it, thanks to the soil erosion underneath.
It’s one of those truly unique sights that you have to see for yourself because photos don’t quite do it justice.
Family tip
Don’t rush this stop.
Spend time walking along the beach, looking for birds, watching the waves, and enjoying the scenery.
Kalaloch is also a great place to watch the sunset if your itinerary allows.
9. Salt Creek Recreation Area
If your kids love tide pools as much as mine do, Salt Creek Recreation Area definitely deserves a place on your itinerary.
Located just outside the national park near Port Angeles, this was one of our favorite places to get up close to marine life.
We visited during low tide and saw so many incredible sea creatures here.
Family Tip
Try to visit as close to low tide as possible.
The lower the tide, the more tide pools you’ll be able to access and explore.
I also highly recommend some sturdy water sandals here – we love these Keen’s for the whole family. The rocks are slippery.
Also, please remember that tide pools are living ecosystems. Look carefully, avoid touching animals whenever possible, and be mindful of where you step.
How Many Days Do You Need in Olympic National Park With Kids?
If you only have one day, you can certainly see a few highlights. I would recommend picking 1 – 2 areas of the park and spend your day exploring those.
But after visiting ourselves, I would recommend giving Olympic National Park at least three days if your schedule allows.
The biggest challenge isn’t the number of things to do—it’s the driving distance between them.
For a detailed route using many of these stops, make sure to read my Olympic National Park With Kids: The Ultimate 3-Day Itinerary.
Tips for Visiting Olympic National Park With Kids
Don’t underestimate the driving
Olympic National Park is huge.
Look at your route carefully before committing to your daily plans, and don’t assume that attractions that appear close together on a map will actually be quick to reach.
Start early at the most popular attractions
The Hoh Rain Forest and Hurricane Ridge can experience parking challenges during the summer and peak travel season.
Starting early can make a huge difference in how much you enjoy your day.
Check the tides
If tide pooling is part of your trip, check the tide charts before building your itinerary.
Bring layers
One day in Olympic National Park might include sunshine at the beach, cool temperatures in the rainforest, and significantly colder weather at Hurricane Ridge.
Layers will make life much easier.
Also, I highly recommend bringing at least 1 pair of pants – even if you are visiting during the summer months!
Leave room to explore
This was one of those national parks where some of our favorite moments weren’t necessarily the things we had planned.
Give your kids time to stop and look at the banana slug.
Let them climb over the driftwood.
Spend longer than expected watching the tide pools.
Olympic National Park is a place where your kids get to star in their own episodes of National Geographic – so give them some space to explore and discover.
Final Thoughts on Visiting Olympic National Park With Kids
Olympic National Park is one of the most diverse national parks we’ve visited as a family.
I don’t know many other places where you can explore a moss-covered rainforest in the morning, stand beside a turquoise lake in the afternoon, and finish the day watching waves crash against sea stacks along the Pacific Coast.
And that’s exactly why I think it is such an incredible destination for families.
There is always something new to experience.
Whether your kids love hiking, wildlife, beaches, waterfalls, or simply exploring somewhere that feels completely different from home, Olympic National Park has something for them.
More Olympic National Park Guides
Planning a family trip to Olympic National Park? These guides will help you plan the rest of your adventure:
Olympic National Park With Kids: The Ultimate 3-Day Itinerary
[Best Family-Friendly Hikes in Olympic National Park]
[Best Beaches and Tide Pools in Olympic National Park]
[Where to Stay in Olympic National Park With Kids]
