Welcome to the Olympic National Park Tour
Where but Olympic National Park can you find beaches, mountains, and rainforest all in one place? This self-guided tour takes you through the most beautiful sites in this one-of-a-kind park. Cruise along the shores of a glacial lake, embark on hikes through lush old-growth forests, and take in views from lofty mountain vistas—all while hearing about the fascinating history of this landscape! Also included are bonus tours of Hurricane Ridge, Hoh Rainforest, and coastal beaches.
About the Tour
Your tour of Olympic National Park will begin at the Olympic National Park Visitor Center. From here, you’ll drive through the town of Port Angeles and out toward the most popular parts of the park. As you drive, you’ll hear about how this landscape formed, the early human inhabitants of the area, and what it took to turn it into a national park.
Then you’ll come to the Elwha River Observation Area, offering stupendous views of the park’s most powerful river. This spot also offers a detour to a hiking trail leading to Madison Falls. This boardwalk trail, which ends with a sparkling waterfall, is totally accessible!
Continuing along the main route, you’ll learn about the dams that once stopped up the river and the huge impact this had on the ecosystem. Then you’ll pass Lake Sutherland, a picturesque glacial lake surrounded by summer cottages and vacation homes; after that is the much larger Lake Crescent. Though beautiful, this lake has some dark stories in its past, all of which you’ll hear as you cruise along the waterfront.
At Lake Crescent Viewpoint, up next, you’ll have the opportunity to snap jealousy-inducing photos of this picture-perfect lake. Beyond that, you’ll see Marymere Falls Trail, a short hike through old growth forest which ends with a 90-foot waterfall.
Ready for a break? You’ll find the perfect spot for it at La Poel, a picnic area on the edge of Lake Crescent.
Then you’ll head to Sol Duc Valley, one of the park’s most iconic landscapes. This valley features ancient forests, mountain views, and plenty of can’t-miss sights. You’ll pass the Salmon Cascades next. If you’re visiting in September, you can watch the famous salmon run from this spot!
Finally, you’ll arrive at the Sol Duc Falls Nature Trail, an easy but hugely rewarding hike through mossy, ancient groves. Your main tour concludes here, but if you want to keep the adventure going, you can boot up the bonus tour of Hurricane Ridge or Hoh Rainforest and the coastal beaches!
Starting Point Address: Olympic National Park Visitor Center
What You'll See
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Welcome Olympic National Park
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A Little Bit of Everything
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Geology
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Glaciers
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Native History of Olympic National Park
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Creating Olympic National Park
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Elwha River Observation Area & Detour
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Madison Falls Trailhead
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Elwha to Hurricane Hill Trailhead
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Glines Canyon Dam Spillway Overlook
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The Elwha River
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Demolishing the Dams
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Rivers of the Park
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Lake Sutherland
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Lake Crescent
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Lake Crescent Viewpoint
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Marymere Falls Trail
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An Angry Mountain
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The Lady of the Lake
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La Poel
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Meldrim Point
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Preserving Heritage
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Sol Duc Valley
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Bears
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Deer and Elk
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Salmon Cascades
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Ancient Groves
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Warring Dragons
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Sol Duc Trailhead
Preview the Tour
Glaciers Audio Story
Lake Crescent Viewpoint Audio Story
Salmon Cascades Audio Story
Tour FAQs
Olympic National Park is renowned for the richness of its different ecosystems – the rough Pacific coastline and vast glacier-clad summits.
Port Angeles is near Olympic National Park. With its proximity to Seattle (just two hours away), Olympic is a popular destination for urbanites seeking a taste of nature.
It is definitely worth visiting Olympic National Park because whether you like to climb mountains, stroll through tide pools, or explore the woodland, the Olympics has something for everyone.
The Olympic Peninsula is home to a wide variety of landscapes, including temperate rain and old growth forests, the sandy beaches of the wild coast, and the spectacular vistas of rocky, glacier-capped mountains. It is well-known for the variety of ecosystems that receives an average of 150 inches of rain each year.
The Olympic National Park does not require any sort of advance planning or booking. But you should book ahead if you want to spend the night in the park or nearby.The park entrance fee is $30 for a private, non-commercial vehicle, $25 for individuals entering on a motorcycle, or $15 for individuals entering on foot or bicycle.
Olympic National Park is gorgeous from spring to fall. In summer, Olympic National Park’s best areas are open to visitors, marmots are active, and wildflowers blossom. The park is less congested in fall and winter. Plan your trip to Olympic National Park during these dates to escape the crowds.
1) There are 56 species of mammals and over 300 species of birds in Olympic National Park. 2) It spans an area of 922,651 acres. 3) 50–70 annual research licences are issued. 4)Roughly 4,000 kilometres of waterways made up of rivers and streams. 5)Park Goers love whale breaches. Breaching whales are unforgettable during migration seasons. 6) Banana slugs are vital to park ecosystems. Banana slugs digest waste. They consume plants and disperse seeds, making them vital to the environment.
On dark, clear evenings, the Milky Way is visible from Olympic National Park.
The best way to get around Olympic National Park is by car since the park spans nearly 1 million acres.
Additional Information
Lifetime Validity
​Changing travel date? No worries! All individual tours come with lifetime validity.Â
Works Offline
The tour works offline, so you do not need your phone network to enjoy the tour. However, we suggest you download the tour on WiFi at your home, hotel, visitor center, etc., before heading out for a completely immersive experience.
Not an Entry Ticket
This is not an entry ticket to any of the attractions along the way.
Not a Car Rental
We do not provide car rental services. You must arrange for a car yourself. Our self-guided driving audio tours will work in any car via an aux cable or Bluetooth.
How many tours should I buy?
Since this is a driving tour, we suggest you buy one tour per car for the best experience.
What do we do?
Simply put, Action Tour Guide is an audio guide, map, and tour book – all in one app! We are a GPS-enabled app-based tour that narrates information based on your location right on your phone. You can experience our driving and walking tours at your own pace and literally at any time of the day!Â
