Tips for Visiting Olympic National Park with Kids

If you're thinking of visiting Olympic National Park with your kids, you're in the right place!

Olympic National Park is one of the most beautiful places in the United States, with incredibly unique geography—from rugged mountains and a wild coastline to a lush, green temperate rainforest.

It also happens to be one of the most family-friendly national parks we’ve visited. You’ll find a wide variety of scenery all within a few hours’ drive, plus plenty of short and easy hikes with big payoffs. There are so many ways for kids to interact with nature—tidepools teeming with sea life, dramatic waterfalls, wildlife sightings, and sea stacks rising straight out of the ocean.

Maybe you’re already convinced why you should visit Olympic, and you’re just looking for help planning your trip. I’ve got you! Honestly, I found this trip a little overwhelming to plan at first—there were so many online warnings about the long drives between park highlights, and I didn’t want to base ourselves in the wrong spot and waste precious time.

I want to make this easier for you. In this post, I’ll cover where to stay, how to plan for spring (hello, rain and snow!) vs. summer, the best things to do with kids, what to pack, and sample itineraries to help you make the most of your time in the park.

Let’s dive in—here are my top tips for visiting Olympic National Park with kids!

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Where to Stay

One of the reasons it was so difficult to plan our trip to Olympic National Park is its tremendous size and diversity. There are so many options for places to stay, each with its pros and cons.

Kalaloch Lodge: Right on the coast, great for beach access and sunset views
Lake Crescent Lodge: Historic lodge with lake activities
Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort: rustic cabins along the Sol Duc River with access to natural hot springs
Log Cabin Resort: Right on Lake Crescent, but it has more of a camping atmosphere with cabins, RV hookups, and campsites.
Port Angeles: Best for access to Hurricane Ridge and urban amenities
Town of Forks: Central base for rainforest and coastal access
Camping: Options for families (Kalaloch Campground, Hoh Campground)

Here's a map of all of the lodging options in relation to the places you may want to visit:

Kalaloch Lodge

We chose to stay at Kalaloch Lodge during our visit. Our trip was in mid-March, and some of the areas in the north of the park were closed due to snow. Staying at Kalaloch Lodge put us closer to the coastline and the rainforest, which we knew would be open and accessible during that time of year.

In addition, some of the other lodges in the park are only open seasonally during the warmer months. Kalaloch was open, and it had lodging options to fit a family of 6 like ours. We stayed in a 2-bedroom cabin with a futon in the living room and a full kitchen.

The lodge also has a gift shop, a restaurant, and a Mercantile where we got our morning hot chocolate and lattes. There are a few groceries and necessities at the Mercantile as well.

Kalaloch Lodge is only a few minutes' drive from Ruby Beach and Beach #4, which has some of the best tidepooling in Olympic National Park.

If we were visiting in summer...

I might plan to stay at Lake Crescent Lodge, which is closer to the scenic mountain area of Hurricane Ridge, as well as many scenic hikes and activities along Lake Crescent.

Or I would split up the visit and spend 1 or 2 nights in Kalaloch Lodge, closer to the southwest area of the park for access to the beaches and rainforest, and 2 nights along Lake Crescent for access to the lake and mountains.

Tips for Visiting in Spring

Almost all the resources I found about visiting Olympic National Park with kids focused on the summer months, when everything is open. And it’s true: summer is the best time to visit. You’ll deal with bigger crowds, but you’ll also have access to every area of the park, better weather for hiking and lake activities, and more ranger-led programs since it's peak season.

But we found cheap flights to Seattle over spring break, so we decided to go in the spring anyway. And while it wasn’t ideal in every way, it was still absolutely beautiful and made for a memorable part of our family trip to Washington State. If you’re planning to visit in the spring too, here are a few tips:

Expect cool temps (around 40–50°F), lots of rain, and possibly even snow in the higher elevations.
Pack waterproof gear—winter boots or rain boots, a waterproof jacket with a hood, gloves, and hats for the whole family.
Spring is perfect for waterfalls and rainforests. The waterfalls are gushing, and the rainforests are extra lush and vibrant thanks to all that moisture.
Check road conditions before heading into higher elevations like Hurricane Ridge. Roads may still be closed, so it’s worth stopping at a Visitor Center to ask rangers what’s accessible.
Enjoy fewer crowds! Spring visitors get a quieter experience. You won’t need to wake up at sunrise just to beat a long line of cars at the trailhead.

Top Things to Do in Olympic National Park

As I mentioned, Olympic National Park is vast and full of variety, so I'm going to break this section down by region of the park. Let's start in the northeast part of the Olympic Peninsula, near Port Angeles. This is the largest of the gateway towns to the national park, and where the main Visitor Center is located.

Olympic National Park Visitor Center

The first thing we did when we arrived at SeaTac airport after renting a car was to plug the Visitor Center address into our GPS:

3002 Mount Angeles Road, Port Angeles, WA 98362

The Visitor Center is a great place to start your visit. Park rangers can inform you of any closures and what the road conditions are like. We also asked for easy hike recommendations. We're an active family that likes getting outside, but we don't hike frequently. They gave us printouts and maps of the best hikes with all the information we would need. You can also have your kids participate in the Junior Ranger Program.

Mountains (Hurricane Ridge)

Hurricane Ridge is located about 35 minutes south of the Olympic National Park Visitor Center. If you're visiting in high season, try to arrive before 10 a.m. or after 2 p.m. to avoid the most crowded part of the day. If the parking lot fills up, you may have to wait in a line of cars.

Activities to do around Hurricane Ridge: Scenic drive (if open), snowshoeing in winter, or hiking in summer
Look for deer, marmots, and wildflowers
Family-friendly hikes: Cirque Rim (1 mile out and back trail), Big Meadow Trail (.5 mile out and back trail in an open meadow), Hurricane Hill Trail (3.2 mile out and back trail with some elevation gain - probably best for families with older kids). Check out all of the trail options around Hurricane Ridge here!

Lakes & Waterfalls (Lake Crescent, Sol Duc)

Continuing west along Highway 101, you’ll come across Lake Crescent, about 18 miles from Port Angeles.

Lake Crescent is known for its crystal-clear blue waters and stunning views of the Olympic Mountains, making it one of the most scenic spots in the park.

Nearby, you’ll find Sol Duc Valley. Turn off Highway 101 onto Sol Duc Road to access hiking trails and the area’s famous hot springs.

Here are some family-friendly things to do around Lake Crescent and Sol Duc Valley:

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Marymere Falls Trail
This 1.8-mile out-and-back trail was one of our favorites and came highly recommended by the park rangers. It’s mostly flat and wide, with the only challenging part being a set of stairs near the end to reach the waterfall viewpoint. While the trail doesn’t offer lake views, you’ll walk through beautiful old-growth forest to reach a stunning 90-foot waterfall. Park at the Mount Storm King Ranger Station.
Devil’s Punch Bowl
Accessed via the Spruce Railroad Trail, this scenic spot is about 1 mile from the trailhead. Rangers also recommended this to us, though we didn’t have time to fit it in. It’s at the top of our list for next time—especially since you can swim in the lake here in the summer!
Sol Duc Falls Trail
This 0.8-mile one-way (1.6-mile round trip) hike is another great short trail through an old-growth forest that leads to a powerful cascading waterfall. A perfect payoff for little legs.
Sol Duc Hot Springs
The hot springs area includes three mineral pools (99°F, 101°F, and 104°F) plus a freshwater swimming pool. You don’t need to stay at the resort to enjoy the springs—day passes are available for 1.5-hour sessions. [Check here for current rates.]
Canoeing or Kayaking on Lake Crescent
You can rent kayaks and canoes from Lake Crescent Lodge or the Log Cabin Resort - a fun way to enjoy the calm, clear water.
Picnic & Swimming Areas
In the warmer months, there are several scenic picnic spots and designated swimming areas around the lake, perfect for a relaxing family afternoon.

Rainforest (Hoh & Quinault Rainforests)

The Hoh Rain Forest was the trail I was most excited to experience on our trip, but unfortunately, it was closed during our visit. The Upper Hoh Road, which provides access to the rainforest, was under repair due to a washout. The park rangers even showed us photos, and it did not look good.

If we ever get the chance to return to Olympic National Park, visiting the Hoh Rain Forest will be at the top of my list!

Hall of Mosses Trail
This iconic 0.8-mile loop winds through an old-growth forest draped in moss. It’s one of the park’s most popular trails, so if you’re visiting in summer, plan to arrive early—parking can fill up quickly. The trail is flat and easy, making it great for younger kids, and from everything we heard, it’s absolutely worth the effort.

When Hoh is closed or too crowded, Quinault Rainforest is a fantastic alternative.

Maple Glade Rain Forest Trail
This 0.5-mile loop is short, flat, and super family-friendly. It felt very similar to Hall of Mosses, with moss-covered trees, vibrant green ferns, and that serene rainforest magic. We hiked it in the rain, and it was still peaceful and beautiful—our whole family was in awe. This is a very easy trail, but well worth it.

Pacific Coast (Kalaloch, Ruby Beach, Rialto Beach)

To be perfectly honest, I wasn’t all that excited about visiting the coastline at first. But everyone—from the park rangers to my outdoorsy Pacific Northwest friends—told me the beaches were a must-do.

I’m so glad I listened! Walking along the rugged coastline with cliffs on one side and sea stacks rising out of the ocean felt like pure magic. Plus, the whole family loved spotting sea life in the tide pools. Here are a few highlights along the coast:

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Tree of Life
Located just a few minutes from Kalaloch Lodge, the Tree of Life (also called the Tree Root Cave) is a one-of-a-kind sight: a large tree somehow still growing, suspended between two eroded cliffs with its roots completely exposed. It’s a short walk from the parking lot to the beach—super easy and totally worth it.
Kalaloch Beach 4
Park rangers told us this was the spot to explore tide pools—and they were right! Visit during low tide to see colorful anemones, sea urchins, and giant orange and purple sea stars. From the parking lot, take the stairs down to the beach, head to the right, and walk until you reach the large rock formations. The tide pools are nestled between the rocks and filled with fascinating marine life.
Ruby Beach
Just 10 minutes north of Kalaloch Lodge, Ruby Beach is famous for its dramatic sea stacks and massive driftwood scattered across the shore. We visited at sunset, and it was absolutely breathtaking.
Rialto Beach
We didn’t make it to Rialto Beach this time around—it’s a bit farther north (just over an hour from Ruby Beach)—but it’s high on our list for next time. Rialto is known for its striking coastline and iconic Hole-in-the-Wall trail, which leads to a sea-carved arch and scenic views of the sea stacks beyond. The hike is about 3 miles round-trip from the beach.

Sample Itinerary for Olympic National Park with Kids

3 Days in Spring

For this itinerary, we stayed two nights at Kalaloch Lodge. We spent one full day and two half days in the park, which felt like plenty for a spring visit since not everything is open that time of year. If you're visiting in summer, I recommend adding one or two more nights to give yourself two or three full days to explore. (You’ll find summer suggestions below.)

Here’s how we spent our 3 days in Olympic National Park over spring break:

Day 1

Arrive at SeaTac Airport and rent a car. If you're starting in Seattle, try to leave in the early or mid-morning.
Stop at a grocery store in Tacoma to stock up on essentials. We grabbed cooler bags and ice to keep our refrigerated items cold longer.
Head to the Olympic National Park Visitor Center in Port Angeles. Pick up Junior Ranger booklets and talk with a ranger about trail conditions, closures, and family-friendly hikes.
If time and road conditions allow, visit Hurricane Ridge for stunning mountain views and short hikes like Cirque Rim or Big Meadow Trail.
If Hurricane Ridge is closed, consider a short hike near Lake Crescent—either Marymere Falls or Devil’s Punchbowl are great options and located right off Highway 101.
Continue your drive (about 1.5 hours) to Kalaloch Lodge and check in.
If you’re up for it and the skies are clear, watch the sunset on Kalaloch Beach.

Day 2
Note: Plan your day around low tide to see tidepools! For us, that was 9:30 a.m.—check tide charts before your visit.

Have breakfast at Kalaloch Lodge and grab coffee or hot chocolate from the Kalaloch Mercantile.
Visit the Tree of Life, located just steps from Kalaloch Lodge.
Head to Kalaloch Beach 4 to explore tide pools. Walk right along the beach until you reach the rocky formations—look for sea stars, anemones, and urchins in the crevices.
Afterward, drive back toward Lake Crescent and hike either Marymere Falls or Devil’s Punchbowl (whichever one you didn’t do on Day 1).

Alternative Option:
If you have already explored Lake Crescent and the Hoh Rainforest is open, head there for the Hall of Mosses Trail—one of the park’s most iconic hikes.

Have dinner in Forks (we loved Pacific Pizza—perfect after a day of hiking).
End your day with a sunset at Ruby Beach—the views are magical, especially with all the sea stacks and driftwood. Watch your step!

Day 3

Check out of Kalaloch Lodge.
Drive to the Quinault Rainforest Ranger Station and do the Maple Glade Rainforest Trail, a peaceful 0.5-mile loop with mossy trees and ferns.
If you have extra time, try the Kestner Homestead Trail (1.5 miles), an easy loop featuring an early 1900s homestead.
After your hike, hit the road for your next destination in Washington! We continued on to Leavenworth, but Seattle or one of Washington’s other national parks would also be great next stops.

4–5 Days in Summer

Summer gives you access to more of the park and longer days to explore. Here’s how I’d stretch the itinerary:

Day 1

Arrive in Port Angeles
Visit the Olympic National Park Visitor Center
Time-permitting: head to Hurricane Ridge for an afternoon hike or scenic lookout
Overnight in Port Angeles or at Lake Crescent Lodge

Day 2

Spend the morning at Hurricane Ridge (picnic, short hikes, wildlife spotting)
Spend the afternoon swimming, kayaking, or paddleboarding at Lake Crescent
Optional: visit Sol Duc Hot Springs
Overnight at Lake Crescent Lodge or back in Port Angeles

Day 3

Check out of your hotel or Airbnb
Hike Marymere Falls and/or Devil’s Punchbowl
Drive to your next base—Kalaloch Lodge or lodging in Forks
End the day with sunset at Rialto Beach

Day 4

Visit the tidepools at Kalaloch Beach 4 (check low tide time)
Stop at the Tree of Life
Hike Hall of Mosses in the Hoh Rainforest
Catch the sunset at Ruby Beach

Day 5 (Optional)

Revisit a favorite hike or explore the Quinault Rainforest before departing
Continue your road trip to Seattle or another national park

What to Pack

Don't forget the following items to make your trip a success! The area gets a lot of rain, so be prepared with rain gear!

Waterproof boots and jackets
Hats and gloves if you're visiting in spring or winter
Waterproof hiking sandals in summer
Layers (fleece, quick-dry clothes) - I personally love Merino Wool!
Reusable water bottles and snacks - stop in Tacoma on the way to the Olympic Peninsula
Sand toys and swimsuits for the beach/lake if you're visiting in summer
National Park Pass
Camera or phone with lots of storage
Portable charger

Olympic National Park was one of our favorite travel experiences as a family so far. It's a popular destination in summer for a reason! The wild beauty of the Olympic Peninsula is so unique and something every kid should see at least once in their life.

If you're interested in our entire Washington State road trip itinerary over spring break, check out this blog post: The Ultimate 1 Week Washington State Road Trip Itinerary with Kids