Maple Pass Loop is a rewarding hike and one that will be remembered for a very long time…read more You can approach the loop clockwise or counter-clockwise. Most people choose to go counter-clockwise because you start with a more gradual ascent. Clockwise starts out with a steep 3.2 mile climb with a 2000 plus elevation gain. My group decided to go clockwise and we were rewarded with incredible beauty. The views along the way are stunning and once you reach the top it's breathtaking. The second part of the loop is much easier. The descent is smooth and the views are also amazing....but it's long. The trail is listed as a 6.6 mile hike but completed it is about 8.2. miles.

A seven mile loop around Lake Ann, with some stunning ridgeline vistas, forests, lakes and meadows…read more A great adventure for the day, especially if you fancy doing some "Hills are Alive" frolicking while recreating the sound of music.

Definitely a magical place to visit! Large parking area, and a very easy stroll through the forest…read more Lots of moss everywhere which is so neat to see, but apart from here, you'll see moss throughout the park. A quick stop here probably about an hour and if you map out your driving, it's close enough to a lot of other amazing spots at the park!

I wish I could spend my days frolicking in the forest. I seriously was so sad to leave! We have…read moregorgeous forests in Colorado, but this was so spectacularly different. It felt like I was in a whole different country. I'm back in May and I'm counting down the days until I can come frolic again :)

Firstly, several of these reviews are for the wrong hot springs. If a review mentions a restaurant,…read moreor a resort, or a time slot, they are referring to the SOL DUC hot springs, not these ones. Also, the reviews that mention that the hike is easy are all outdated! It's a slog to get there! The Olympic hot springs are a 12 mile hike mostly uphill. It used to be a much shorter hike but about five years ago the road washed out and you now have to hike an extra 8 miles... 12 miles total... one way. It's a slog! The springs themselves, while pretty, are shallow, muddy, slimy, and overall pretty gross. The signs warn of fecal bacteria. If you're hoping to hike 12 miles to soak in pristine pools, think again. Nudity is common. If anyone is actually using the hot springs, they will likely be nude. Get over it!! Let the nudists have their place... and 12 miles deep in the woods is a nice place to be nude. You might also see nudists hiking or biking on the trail to the hot springs. It's not common but does happen occasionally. Just smile and say hi! The hike starts off easy on a paved road for about 3/4 of a mile. Then you have to use a single-track dirt bypass trail that is steep and rooty. If you're using a bike you'll be pushing and carrying it over things. Then you're put back on an old paved road again. It's another 2 miles to the Glines Canyon overlook which is fun to see. Then it's another 5 miles on the same road, but now 100% uphill and sometimes steep, just to reach the trailhead. Once at the trailhead, you're already over 8 miles into it and you have another 2.5 or so to hike... bikes not allowed. You have to park at the Madison Falls parking lot. You're supposed to have a National Park pass.

Enchanted springs in enchanted forest, I have camped here quiet a bit when in college…read more Most special hot springs on earth to me. Hike is fun not too strenuous

lovely hike - wide and mostly flat path until the steps to the falls viewing area. ample parking…read moreand close to path leading to lake crescent lodge which has a nice dining room overlooking the crystal blue lake.

I chose this hike because my mother was with me and doesn't have a lot of stamina. The hike is only…read moreabout a mile each way and it's fairly flat right up until the very end, where there is suddenly a pretty steep staircase. My mom made it to the staircase but didn't want to go up, and unfortunately you can't see the waterfall unless you go up. However, there's a cute bridge and little creek right at the bottom there where a lot of other families and older folks had stopped and it's still very enjoyable just to hang out there! If you do go up the stairs, it's only about 4 or 5 flights and then you're at the lookout right by the waterfall. It's quite pretty! Tbh one of my fav things about this trail though was an absolutely MASSIVE and photo-op worthy mossy tree near the beginning of the trail just after you cross under the road. Really liked that! Overall - if you want a shorter, easier walking trail, this is a good one up to the staircase! You can also forgo the whole walk and just take a lap around the lake near the trailhead to see wildflowers and pretty sights.

This is SO worth your time if you want to see incredible views of the Washington Coastline. It's a…read morepretty easy hike with walkways, bridges, and foot paths. (Do stay on the main paths or you could risk falling in some areas) There's no charge. Just a winding drive up the mountain to get to the cape. Absolutely beautiful

Such a beautiful location! We visited on a day trip. I recommend staying a few days to enjoy the…read morearea. The area has the typical park style (outhouse) restrooms and garage bins just outside the restroom. The trail path was clean, muddy and recommend hiking shoes. Please keep on path as stated. Several slippery spots. The path has areas with wooden walkways, some with exposed roots and observation view points to keep you safe. Dogs were on trail and area clean. Parking could be scarce but we went on a weekday and was not busy. Cute large chair for photo (added in pictures) and walking sticks were on left side of trail from the chair. At the end of this trail: Right takes you to the beautiful rock formations and small cave image. Left takes takes you to several views of Caves and beyond that takes you to viewpoint of Tatoosh Island. I would not consider this an easy hike due to exposed roots and elevation. Would depend on your experience. Also extra cautious with little one due to end of trail has direct drop down. You will need to stop at the visitors center for a $20 pass. This covers this location and Shi-Shi Beach (no dogs allowed so we didn't go). You can purchase the pass at other locations but the center was super cute. Staff were so helpful and we plan on coming back.

Beautiful mirror lake. I visited in mid-February and I experienced multiple colors of this lake. At…read morefirst it was raining with dark waters, then it turned an emerald green after the rain. Finally after a few hours when the sun out, it became a mirror! Bonus we hiked the Merymere falls loop. So beautiful!

Must stop when you are in the area. Trails, waterfalls, camping, lodge and more…read more Gorgeous, well maintained area.

This is a lovely hike, about a mile each way to the falls. I personally found it pretty easy, but…read moreif you have less stamina or arthritis (ie my mother), it's a little challenging. Nevertheless - she was able to do it ok! She just had to stop for a couple breaks along the way. The entire trail is very scenic, there are many cool trees and vegetation plus streams and little bridges along the way, so great for pics! The falls are ofc magical as well. PLEASE heed the park sign's warnings and don't climb the railings, it's so dangerous :( people have gotten killed doing that. But if you keep to where you're supposed to, this trail is absolutely very safe :) The car park is a good size. I came on a Tuesday around 8am, and we had no trouble getting a spot, but this is a famous trail: we noticed on the way out that there were no spots left. Someone immediately took ours when we drove off, so plan accordingly! And ofc they have some NPS bathrooms available here, glorified portapotties in the little cubicle rooms, and hand sanitizer available but no running water.

The hike to Sol Duc Falls was another enjoyable hike that I did while visiting Olympic National…read morePark. Sol Duc Valley in Olympic National Park is a pretty area that has towering evergreens. The Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort is also in this valley. The Sol Duc Trail to the falls is a two-mile drive from the resort and is a easy hike to do. The trail itself is less than a mile long and is shaded with a dense forest canopy. After you cross over a small stream on a bridge, you will see the waterfall tumbling over moss-covered rocks. There are many ways to view Sol Duc Falls. It splits into four channels that cascades 48-feet into a narrow canyon. At certain times of the day, you can see rainbows in the mist surrounding the falls. I was able to take photos of many angles of these falls with my camera. I just wished I had my tripod with me. After spending time here at Sol Duc Falls, you have the option to continue your hike to Deer Lake or turn around and go back to the parking lot.

This was my favorite hike on my trip to Olympic National Park. It is such a beautiful hike with…read moregreat views, wildlife and pretty wildflowers along the way. I enjoyed spending a whole day up here at Hurricane Ridge. They call it hurricane because of the gusty winds that can whip up quickly here. The highest point of the hike reaches 5,757 feet with 650 feet of elevation gain. The total hike is 3.2 miles roundtrip. The drive up to Hurricane Ridge is 17 miles from Port Angeles. The visitor center at the top of Hurricane Ridge burned down in 2023 and has a temporary structure in its place. There is someone on hand to answer questions and to hand out paper maps if you need one. The trailhead parking lot is another half mile from the visitor center. The parking lot is not very large and has an overflow lot down the road if you cannot find a spot. I was lucky and was able to grab a spot when someone was leaving. The views on Hurricane Hill Trailhead are spectacular. It offers panoramic views of the entire Olympic Region, including the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the Elwha River Valley. While on this hike, you will by surrounded gorgeous mountain views, tall tress and colorful wildflowers. The trail is completely paved and starts off with some switchbacks with a little elevation climb. I did encounter some mule deer and other wildlife along the way. It was a cloudy day with light rain which made for some beautiful photos. At the top are interpretive signs pointing out the visible peaks and towns. Overall, I would say that this is a moderately challenging hike. But because it is paved and is relatively short, it is a hike that the whole family can do. I highly recommend it if you are visiting Olympic National Park. Just keep in mind that Hurricane Hill Road closes for various reasons throughout the year.

Hurricane hill is an excellent trail for a short moderate hike within Olympic National Park. The…read moretrail is completely paved and perfect for those with strollers and wheelchairs. I'm not usually a fan of paved trails since I really enjoy hiking on dirt paths that are lined with beautiful trees and vibrant foliage. However, this hike is surrounded by the most stunning views of the snow capped mountains and the picturesque Olympic Valley. I couldn't get enough the views, and I wouldn't be able to escape them even if I tried. The trail is roughly 3.5 miles long when starting from the main parking lot and is an out and back. So, a relatively short hike but you can extend it by parking further away or connecting to other trails. Since I arrived later and missed the parking at the main lot, I parked at the second parking lot and hiked in from there (making my hike about 5 miles in total). The trail is completely exposed so sun protection is recommended. The trail starts off pretty easy and flat for the first half mile and then begins to gradually incline up soft switchbacks until you reach the peak. As I mentioned before, the glacial mountain tops are what makes the views here so magical. You'll have clear views of Mount Olympus depending on the time of year that you come (I came during the summertime). The trail wasn't too crowded but you'll still encounter a good amount of people since this hike is paved and easily accessible. Definitely be bring water because it gets hotter and hotter as you reach the top. There's also a lot of wild life on the trail. Witnessed a few deers hidden behind some trees on the trail. You may also encounter some fresh snow patches on the trail even in the dead of summer. It's super green with lots of rolling hills, tall trees, and colorful wildflowers all throughout the trail. I truly enjoyed this lovely hike and would hike it again in a heartbeat.

"Ye ghosts of all the dear old trees, The oak, the elm, the ash, Nightly those gentlemen go tease,…read moreWho hew you down like trash." It's like if a menthol punch of freshness sensation would hit the deepest nook of your lungs. That first inhalation provides you with an instant invigoration. What better medicine than nature's air cleaning the toxic waist passing through your veins. Your muscles shaking away negativity will give you an instant mood booster, the oxygen modifying every molecule in your body, a shiver that reconnects you with the source, or in Carr's words "...the God in you responding to the God in them". Welcome to a real "Pandora", an almost intact landscape of natural monuments in where the heaviness of the branches will hold wind's melodies. My neck hurt at times when trying to reach by sight the top of these enchanted trees. Once surrounded by that foggy green darkened reality, I understood why some fairy tales were inspired by forests. It's unavoidable to feel observed, every step felt as trespassing, as if I was intruding a sacred space. I tried to understand Carr's perspective, why trees became her obsession until she exhaled them. Every tree had a personality, some of the roots' shapes reminded me of "Pan's Labyrinth", would those muddy holes take me to other realms? The shadows created obscure introspections, the ambivalence of existence, as above as below, a darker interpretation of nature. Some trees languished and perished long time ago, their remains acting as a pillar for new sprouts of life; moss, younger trees, mushrooms, bushes, they all use the elements of the fallen one to continue life's cycle. The Gnarliest Tree in Canada might be the star, with a conjugation of shapes resembling multiple fists, all kind of stumps appearing to flow in circles, as if its circumference was formed by dozens of human extremities piled towards and unreachable sky. Come hike to realize how tiny, irrelevant and forgettable you are. We all should play to be forest Rangers, deep thank you to the First Nations and Ancient Forest Alliance for standing against logging in this area.

I can believe the hidden gems this world has to offer. I never thought after driving on a rough…read moredirt road in the middle of nowhere would lead to such an amazing place. Don't get discouraged by the road a car can make it. We saw lots of them up there. The journey is well worth it.

Third and Fourth beach have rest stops along the highway. Scenic views overlooking the pacific…read more There are no crowds, no major attractions - other than the views themselves. There are clean restrooms and gravel walking paths that lead down to the beach. This would be a difficult trek from the rest stop parking down to the beach for any strollers, walkers, wheel chairs, or for anyone with limited mobility. However, there are some great lookout points from the rest stop that are more accessible. You can walk several miles along the coast and see unending views of cliffs, trees, and rock formations. Great walk & views!

Third Beach was just eh, just okay for me. I wanted more. But in comparison to Rialto Beach and…read morestunning Ruby Beach among the Olympic Peninsula....I felt like this...3rd Beach...fell flat. At least...can I give a reasoning or two, lol? During my summer visit of 2020, after hanging out at mesmerizing Hoh Rain Forest, I was heading in a counter clockwise direction (which I believe is the most efficient way to navigate Olympic National Park). I had read that the La Push area and 1st, 2nd and 3rd Beaches were all worthwhile spots to explore from my itinerary. Well...1st and 2nd Beaches were closed due to the pandemic. My only option for a getting a feel for what the La Push area surroundings were like was to come here to 3rd Beach. This was fine by me as I figured all 3 beaches would be relatively the same in appearances...so if I was only afforded 1 beach to explore...I was accepting of coming here to 3rd Beach. I was quite surprised that for the entrance way towards 3rd Beach...you had to park along the road. And I couldn't believe how crowded it was!!! Yeah, I barely found a parking spot and cars were parked off the road on the shoulder in almost a 45 degree slope. Could they be that desperate to hang out here? It was quite a steep angle! So...I put the emergency brake on just in case. I then had a good feeling about what to expect here at 3rd Beach since it appeared quite popular according to the amount of cars. To get to 3rd Beach...you have to hike almost 2 miles! Wow...I didn't expect this. Though that's what it said according to the trailhead. Well, I guess I was already committed to the task so I didn't mind making the trek. Overall, the hike was pleasant. It was along flat ground through the forest without much elevation. Towards the end of the trail I walked down a series of switchbacks to the beach. Finally making it here along the shores...the best way to describe things were...very quiet and desolate. There wasn't much happening. I actually noticed tents on the sand and was in astonishment that you could really camp out at 3rd Beach. My main reasoning for coming to 3rd Beach was to capture the best photographs of the surroundings, among the Pacific Northwest setting here in Washington. But...I never captured any magical moments for pictures. I did walk towards the end of the beach to an area that had some rocks on the shores sort of making the area somewhat scenic. In the end, I was just sort of bored and maybe spent 30 - 40 minutes hanging out. And...for having to hike 2 miles each way just to arrive at a "pedestrian" looking beach sort of frustrated me as if I was wasting time out of the day. In comparison...Rialto and Ruby Beaches offered much much more as to the scenery and sweeping beach shores. Rialto Beach featured plenty of fallen trees and a few boulders protruding out from the waters enhancing the overall setting. Although the beaches were very touristy and crowded...their sights were worth it. Ruby Beach put everything to shame. This was my favorite beach at Olympic NP. There were terrific viewpoints, a rugged yet scenic coastline, many playful spots to climb rocks and offered really good photography opportunities. Ultimately when I compare Ruby Beach to this 3rd Beach...I much more preferred the scenic terrain where I felt like I was admiring the true essence for what makes Olympic Park so special. But...for those who are interested in more exclusivity without the visitors and tourists, then this 3rd Beach would be appropriate for you. For me, I want to be hanging out at a place where the views reign supreme.