Olympic National Park Pictures

Olympic National Park Pictures: Photographic overview of Olympic National Park from Washington coast beaches to temperate rain forests, peaks, and rain shadows.

Olympic National Park in Washington State


Plus you can share your own photos and stories of memorable visits to the ONP, below.

We'll show you Olympic National Park pictures from the northern reaches of the Olympic National Park (where you'll find the majority of ONP attractions), starting with Hurricane Ridge, then move west in a clockwise fashion. You can follow along on the ONP map below.

Some of these places pictured here have pages dedicated to them on the My Port Angeles website. Click on the links for more photos and more information about those parts of the Olympic National Park.

Click here for more info about the Olympic National Park itself.

Olympic National Park Pictures in the Northern Section of the Park

The northern section of the ONP includes the following attractions:

Hurricane Ridge

Hurricane Ridge still shaking off winter in MayHurricane Ridge still shaking off winter in May
View to the north from Hurricane Ridge. Yep, those are the lights of Victoria, BC, across the water, and they look nearly close enough to swim to!View to the north from Hurricane Ridge. Yep, those are the lights of Victoria, BC, across the water, and they look nearly close enough to swim to!
Winter wonderland - Hurricane Ridge in JanuaryWinter wonderland - Hurricane Ridge in January

Hurricane Hill

A view of Hurricane Hill trail from much closer to the top of the hill, capured in early August. The Hurricane Hill trailhead is found a couple miles beyond the Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center.A view of Hurricane Hill trail from much closer to the top of the hill, capured in early August. The Hurricane Hill trailhead is found a couple miles beyond the Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center.
Madison Creek FallsMadison Creek Falls

More info on Hurricane Ridge and Hurricane Hill

More Hurricane Ridge Photos

See Hurricane Ridge in Winter

Madison Creek Falls

Madison Falls doesn't drop as far as does Marymere Falls, but it does have one thing in its favor - accessibility. You can find Madison Falls just west of Port Angeles, and a short stroll from its parking lot. As you can see, it is still quite an impressive waterfall!

Lake Crescent

Oh the moods Lake Crescent can wear!

Pristine and peaceful...
Grey and moody...
Teasing and playful...
And sometimes irritable and agitated...

Lake Crescent from Lake Crescent Lodge on a lovely afternoon.Lake Crescent from Lake Crescent Lodge on a lovely afternoon.
There is even beauty during glum and glowering skiesThere is even beauty during glum and glowering skies
Jump and swim at the Punchbowl on Lake Crescent's north shoreJump and swim at the Punchbowl on Lake Crescent's north shore
Lake Crescent at Fairholme on a windy, choppy dayLake Crescent at Fairholme on a windy, choppy day

Marymere Falls

The hike to Marymere Falls, near Lake Crescent, is about 0.75 miles one way on easy paths.The hike to Marymere Falls, near Lake Crescent, is about 0.75 miles one way on easy paths.

Sol Duc Valley

Salmon Cascades in the Sol Duc River, with a single salmon on its tail ogling the cascading stream.Salmon Cascades in the Sol Duc River, with a single salmon on its tail ogling the cascading stream.
Sol Duc Falls Gorge downstream from the falls, Olympic National Park PhotoSol Duc Falls Gorge, Olympic National Park Photo

Photos of the Sol Duc River and Valley
Photos of Sol Duc Falls.

Ancient Grove in the Sol Duc ValleyAncient Grove in the Sol Duc Valley
Sol Duc Falls, pounding with spring run-offSol Duc Falls, pounding with spring run-off

Olympic National Park Pictures - Pacific Beaches

The ruggedness of many Washington beaches defies expectations. Eons of pounding by waves against the shores has worn away miles of coastline, leaving behind sea stacks, those behemoths that still stand against the onslaught of the tides. 

Of course, there are still plenty of gracefully curving sandy crescent beaches offsetting the tension of the ocean stacks. Come and see!


Shi Shi Beach

The trail to Shi Shi Beach winds through beautiful rain forest.The trail to Shi Shi Beach winds through beautiful rain forest.
Explore amidst sea stacks up close at Shi Shi Beach.Explore amidst sea stacks up close at Shi Shi Beach.
Shi Shi Beach is blessed with many sea stacks in a multitude of shapes.Shi Shi Beach is blessed with many sea stacks in a multitude of shapes.
Seagulls take flight at Shi Shi Beach.Seagulls take flight at Shi Shi Beach.
Explore amidst sea stacks up close at Shi Shi BeachExplore amidst sea stacks up close at Shi Shi Beach.
These hikers are checking out the tide pools at Shi Shi Beach.These hikers are checking out the tide pools at Shi Shi Beach.

Alava Point at Ozette

Ozette Beach at Cape Alava. That's Ozette Island in the backgrpound.Ozette Beach at Cape Alava. That's Ozette Island in the backgrpound.
Raft of harlequin ducks taking flight at Cape Alava (Ozette Beach)Raft of harlequin ducks taking flight at Cape Alava (Ozette Beach)

Rialto Beach

Storm watching in the Pacific Northwest can be quite palpitating. If you cannot do your watching through a large picture window holding a steaming mug of hot chocolate, you may as well be out in the thick of it with an umbrella turned inside out. It was that kind of a day at Rialto Beach in the photo below.

Sea stacks holding their own against a blustery storm at Rialto BeachSea stacks holding their own against a blustery storm at Rialto Beach

Third Beach

Third Beach is unique for its army of spindly sea stacks, viewed here behind tide pool rocks.Third Beach is unique for its army of spindly sea stacks, viewed here behind tide pool rocks.
Third Beach, Olympic National ParkThird Beach, near the point where the 1.4 mile long trail joins the beach.

Ruby Beach

Ruby Beach Seastacks, Olympic National Park BeachRuby Beach Seastacks, Olympic National Park Beach
Ruby Beach Stacks, with Abbey Island in the background.Ruby Beach Stacks, with Abbey Island in the background.

Ruby Beach is a favorite among Pacific Northwest photographers, possibly because its dramatic sea stacks are close and accessible.

The sand at Ruby Beach is rich in granular garnets, they say, and is reported to glow a pinkish shade when the light is just right. I've not yet personally seen that pink glow, but if I do, we'll share it with you.  

Beach 4

Whoever named some of these Olympic National Park beaches...? 

Beach 4, at the point where the short trail meets the beach.Beach 4, at the point where the short trail meets the beach.
Beach 4 Tidepool. Yes, these sea anemones are underwater.Beach 4 Tidepool. Yes, these sea anemones are underwater.
Fascinating rock formations at Beach 4Fascinating rock formations at Beach 4

Kalaloch Beach

Any more wood drifts in, and you won't be able to find the beach! Long sandy crescent beaches sprawl both north and south of Kalaloch Creek, pictured here in the mid-ground.Any more wood drifts in, and you won't be able to find the beach! Long sandy crescent beaches sprawl both north and south of Kalaloch Creek, pictured here in the mid-ground.
Kalaloch Creek joins the Pacific here on Kalaloch Beach, where the setting sun is leaving the driftwood-littered creek in shadows.Kalaloch Creek joins the Pacific at Kalaloch Beach, where the setting sun is leaving the driftwood-littered creek in shadows.

See the gallery of photos dedicated solely to the Olympic National Park Beaches.

Olympic National Park Pictures in the Hoh Rain Forest

Hoh Rain Forest Photos

The Hoh Rainforest is found in the West Inland part of the Olympic Peninsula, and in the Olympic National Park.

One of a series of ponds along Upper Hoh Road. Photo was taken in autumn.One of a series of ponds along Upper Hoh Road. Photo was taken in autumn.
The nurse tree is long gone, but the colonnade of mature trees marks the spot where the long-dead tree fell. Photo was taken in mid-May with spring in full swing.The nurse tree is long gone, but the colonnade of mature trees marks the spot where the long-dead tree fell. Photo was taken in mid-May with spring in full swing.
Even the air is green on this spring day. The old mossy maple is budding above her heavy burden of mosses.Even the air is green on this spring day. The old mossy maple is budding above her heavy burden of mosses.

These photos of the Hoh rain forest photos are just a taste - visit Hoh Rain Forest Photos for a full gallery of photos taken throughout the Hoh.

Learn more about the Hoh Rainforest here.

Olympic National Park Pictures in the Southwest of the Park: Queets and Quinault River Valleys

Queets River weaving its way through the Queets Valley region of the Olympic National Park. Beautiful snow capped Olympic Mountains in the distance.Queets River weaving its way through the Queets Valley region of the Olympic National Park. Beautiful snow capped Olympic Mountains in the distance.

Like the Hoh River Valley, The Queets and Quinault River Valleys are quintessential temperate rain forest. Rainfall averages 140+ inches per year in the entire inland west and southwest portions of the Olympic National Park, including the Hoh, Queets, and Quinault Rainforests. In the higher elevations near the peaks, yearly rainfall averages 200+ inches.

South shore of Lake Quinault very near the Lake Quinault Resort. Photo was taken on a misty mid-December day.South shore of Lake Quinault very near the Lake Quinault Resort. Photo was taken on a misty mid-December day.
Lake Quinault (in the background) empties into the Quinault River (naturally!), pictured here with a gaggle of Canada geese.Lake Quinault (in the background) empties into the Quinault River (naturally!), pictured here with a gaggle of Canada geese.

Olympic National Park Pictures from the Southeast and East Regions of the Park

Lake Cushman, with the Olympic Mountains of the Olympic National Park Staircase area in the backgroundOlympic National Park Staircase area is in the the Olympic Mountains framing Lake Cushman, pictured.

Staircase: In the southeast region of the Olympic National Park is Staircase Ranger Station through which tumbles the Skokomish River. 

Dosewallips: The Dosewallips ranger station is the only ranger station in the east ONP. It is currently closed due to flood damage to the road, however you can certainly hike the 5 miles from the road closure to the campground. Dosewallips offers access to the extensive trail network in the eastern portion of the ONP. 

If you're planning to camp within the ONP, don't forget to check the status of the Campground(s) at which you plan to stay. Plus, always check current road conditions before setting out, as flooding or fallen trees can close roads in a heartbeat.

Olympic National Park pictures may give you a sense of the park, but without a doubt visiting the park is always better in person!

You Can Share YOUR Photos and Experiences in the Olympic National Park...

Want to share your own experiences in the Olympic National Park? Do you have one or several remarkable photos of the Park that you’d like the world to see? Share it below!


Tell Us Your Own Story and Share Your Photos of Olympic National Park!

Do you have a great story or exceptional photos of your own visit to Olympic National Park? Share it! (We're happy to ensure professional and amateur photographers get credit for their work! We can do this if you leave us your name and online website or FB page info.)

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Finnegan Mayer USCG  Not rated yet
Finnegan should be the poster boy for Olympic National Park! He is as obedient as he is handsome. He belongs to a military family stationed in Port Angeles, …

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