Olympic National Park

The Hoh Rain Forest receives 12–14 feet of rain annually, creating a cathedral of Sitka spruce and western hemlock draped in curtains of moss and ferns. The Hall of Mosses Trail (0.8-mile loop) is a must-do introduction, while the Hoh River Trail extends 17+ miles into true backcountry solitude. Arrive before 9 AM in summer to find parking — the Hoh is Olympic's most popular destination. The Quinault Rain Forest on the park's southwest side offers a quieter but equally lush alternative, with fewer tourists and the Lake Quinault Lodge as an atmospheric base.

At 5,242 feet, Hurricane Ridge provides the park's most accessible alpine experience with sweeping views of glaciated peaks, subalpine wildflower meadows, and Mount Olympus. The Hurricane Hill Trail adds a 1.6-mile one-way hike to a 5,757-foot summit. In winter, the road stays open for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing with breathtaking mountain views. Black-tailed deer are habituated to visitors here and often approach within camera range — but resist the urge to feed or touch them.

Olympic's 73-mile coastline is the longest undeveloped stretch of Pacific coast in the lower 48. Ruby Beach's dramatic sea stacks are a 5-minute walk from the parking lot. Second Beach and Third Beach require short hikes through coastal forest to reach stunning arches and sea caves. Rialto Beach offers easy access to Hole-in-the-Wall, a massive natural arch accessible at low tide. Shi Shi Beach offers the park's most pristine coastline — a 2-mile hike to an amphitheater of sea stacks, but requires a Makah reservation permit.