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A herd of elk crossing a river.
NPS Photo/Jon Preston

Danger

Crews Responding to Lightning-Caused Mt. Tom Creek Fire

The lightning-caused Mt. Tom Creek Fire is burning on a remote mountain slope on the west side of Olympic National Park. Fire management officials have ordered aviation and ground resources to respond to the fire, including Type 1 and Type 2 helicopters, enhanced reconnaissance aircraft, wildland fire engines, and hand crews. The Lake of the Gods backcountry campsite is closed. Backpackers are encouraged to consider alternative routes. There are no evacuation orders.

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Park Closure

Hurricane Hill Road Closed Mon-Thurs Through July 2

Due to a water system rehabilitation project, Hurricane Hill Road will be closed Monday-Thursday through July 2. The road will reopen every Friday-Sunday as long as all vehicles continue to clear the area by Sunday evening and do not impede construction activities on Monday morning. Hurricane Ridge Road will remain open throughout the construction period. See the Hurricane Ridge section on the Alerts and Conditions page for more information.

Caution

Limited Rialto Beach Parking, Mora Rd Construction & Closure Begins July 8

Contractors have begun staging equipment and materials for Mora Road repairs in the Quileute Tribe's parking lot. Parking in the NPS lot at Rialto Beach is very limited. Consider carpooling or visiting other beaches. Beginning July 8th, Mora Road will close to all traffic, including bicycles and pedestrians, at the campground. Rialto Beach will not be accessible via Mora Road during this construction period. Mora Campground will remain open.

Park Closure

Staircase, Adjacent Wilderness Areas Closed due to Bear Gulch Fire Impacts

Park crews have been removing hazard trees and repairing infrastructure. The Staircase developed area will reopen when multiple safety, infrastructure, and visitor services goals are met within Olympic National Park and Olympic National Forest. For a full list of closed trails and campsites, visit our Fire Conditions and Updates page.

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Information

South Shore Quinault Road Washed Out Beyond Park Boundary

South Shore Road – which is maintained by Jefferson County – is closed due to a major wash-out. For more information, visit the Jefferson County website.

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National ParkHorse trailsHorses provided

Olympic National Park

WA · Port Angeles

With its incredible range of precipitation and elevation, diversity is the hallmark of Olympic National Park. Encompassing nearly a million acres, the park protects a vast wilderness, thousands of years of human history, and several distinctly different ecosystems, including glacier-capped mountains, old-growth temperate rain forests, and over 70 miles of wild coastline. Come explore!

Riding guide

Horses provided

Highlights

Olympic National Park is one of the most diverse riding landscapes in the country; where temperate rainforest, glacier-capped…

Riding

Rideable terrain here is noted as 365 miles, giving riders a clearer sense of scale before they ever unload. For equestrians, Olympic offers more than 350 Miles of stock-maintained trails that wind through moss-draped forest corridors, along powerful river systems, and into high mountain terrain. It’s a park built for true backcountry riders, the kind who value solitude, self-sufficiency, and dramatic scenery over convenience.

Rideable terrain

365 miles

Trailer parking

Hoh Ranger Station / Hoh River Trailhead This is one of the most common staging areas for equestrians. Why riders use it Trailer-accessible parking near the ranger station Hitching rails and stock facilities nearby Direct access to the Hoh River Trail and backcountry stock camps Large valley trail system that allows multi-day riding This area provides access to some of the longest continuous stock routes in the park. Sol Duc Trailhead Area Features Trailer maneuvering space near the trailhead Hitch racks available for stock Access to Sol Duc valley trails and connections toward Seven Lakes Basin routes Close to the park road, making it easier to reach with larger rigs Whiskey Bend Trailhead (Elwha River Area) This trailhead is a major starting point for equestrian travel in the Elwha Valley. Features Gravel parking area that can accommodate truck and trailer combinations Access to the Elwha River Trail and backcountry stock camps One of the main gateways into the park’s wilderness trail network North Fork Quinault Trailhead A quieter but very good option for riders. Features Trailer-accessible parking area Access to long valley trails and wilderness routes Fewer crowds than some other trailheads

Horse regulations

Horse Use Regulations Permits & Fees • A Wilderness Camping Permit is required for all overnight trips with stock. • Wilderness fees apply (no additional charge for stock). • Some areas require advance reservations check with the Wilderness Information Center (WIC). Group & Animal Limits • Maximum 12 people and 8 head of stock per group. • Only horses, mules, burros, and llamas are permitted. Elevation & Trail Restrictions • Camping with stock above 3,500 feet is prohibited, except in designated stock camps. • Stock may not travel off maintained trails above 3,500 feet. • 365 Miles of trail are maintained for stock use. • Some trails are limited to experienced or very experienced riders due to narrow tread, river crossings, windfall, or steep terrain. • Numerous hiking-only trails are closed to stock always confirm trail eligibility before departure. Feed & Grazing • Loose hay or grain is prohibited. • Supplemental feed must be pellets or rolled grain to prevent weed introduction. • Begin feeding weed-free feed at least 3 days before entering the park. • Grazing is permitted only within ¼ mile of designated stock camps. • Grazing animals must be moved every 12 hours. Feed using a nose bag, do not scatter feed on the ground. Securing Stock • Use hitchrails, highlines, drift fences, or picket lines. • Do not tether to a single tree for more than one hour. • Use trees at least 8 inches in diameter when tying. • Highlines are required overnight and whenever animals are unattended. • Stock must be restrained at least 200 feet from water. Pack animals may not be tied within 150 feet of developed campgrounds. Wildlife & Food Storage • All food, feed, garbage, and scented items must be secured at all times. • Bear-resistant panniers are available from the WIC. Stock Camps & Facilities • Stock camping is limited to designated stock camps only. • Hitchracks and unloading ramps are available at select trailheads. • Some trailheads have limited or no trailer turnaround space, confirm before arrival.

Getting here

Use 3002 Mount Angeles Road, Port Angeles, Washington as your primary planning reference before you haul in. Hoh Ranger Station / Hoh River Trailhead This is one of the most common staging areas for equestrians. Why riders use it Trailer-accessible parking near the ranger station Hitching rails and stock facilities nearby Direct access to the Hoh River Trail and backcountry stock camps Large valley trail system that allows multi-day riding This area provides access to some of the longest continuous stock routes in the park. Sol Duc Trailhead Area Features Trailer maneuvering space near the trailhead Hitch racks available for stock Access to Sol Duc valley trails and connections toward Seven Lakes Basin routes Close to the park road, making it easier to reach with larger rigs Whiskey Bend Trailhead (Elwha River Area) This trailhead is a major starting point for equestrian travel in the Elwha Valley. Features Gravel parking area that can accommodate truck and trailer combinations Access to the Elwha River Trail and backcountry stock camps One of the main gateways into the park’s wilderness trail network North Fork Quinault Trailhead A quieter but very good option for riders. Features Trailer-accessible parking area Access to long valley trails and wilderness routes Fewer crowds than some other trailheads

Planning your visit

Must Know Before You Ride • This is true wilderness. Olympic is remote, wet, and physically demanding. Trails can be narrow, steep, muddy, and root-heavy, especially in rainforest zones. • Elevation rules matter. Stock camping above 3,500 feet is prohibited except in designated stock camps, and off-trail travel above that elevation is not allowed. • Overnight trips require a wilderness permit, and campsites are assigned. Quotas apply in some drainages. • Feed rules are strict. Loose hay and grain are prohibited. Pelletized or rolled supplemental feed is required, and you must begin feeding weed-free feed at least three days before entering the park. • Grazing is limited to within ¼ mile of designated stock camps and animals must be moved every 12 hours. • Highlines are required overnight and whenever stock is unattended. Do not tie to single trees for extended periods. • River crossings are common. Glacier-fed rivers can rise quickly, especially during snowmelt. • Rain is normal. Expect slick bridges, wet decking, and muddy trail conditions much of the year. • Wildlife precautions are mandatory. All food and stock feed must be secured 24 hours a day. Bear-resistant panniers are available through the Wilderness Information Center. • Some trails are for experienced or very experienced stock users only. Windfall, narrow tread, and limited trailer turnaround areas are real considerations. Key water areas located along the Hoh River (including designated, large community corrals past the main lot), the Dosewallips River area, and various backcountry, rugged trails.

Where to stay

Olympic National Park Visitor Center is the main visitor-contact point tied to this destination, which is helpful when you want current conditions, maps, and stock-use updates before riding. This entry indicates both guided ride support and horse-camping potential, making Olympic National Park one of the more flexible federal options for riders building a fuller travel plan. For a polished trip plan, pair the ride with lodging, fuel, and resupply planning in or near Port Angeles before heading deeper into federal-land access points.

Entrance fees & passes

Park map

Trails

No trails synced for this park yet.

Campgrounds

Points of interest

Things to do

Visitor centers

Webcams

Hours of operation

Olympic National Park

Olympic National Park is open 24 hours a day year-round, although some roads, campgrounds and facilities are open seasonally.

Mon

All Day

Tue

All Day

Wed

All Day

Thu

All Day

Fri

All Day

Sat

All Day

Sun

All Day

Activities

AstronomyStargazingBikingRoad BikingBoatingCampingBackcountry CampingCar or Front Country CampingHorse Camping (see also Horse/Stock Use)Group CampingRV CampingClimbingMountain ClimbingFishingFreshwater FishingFly FishingSaltwater FishingFoodDiningPicnickingGuided ToursSelf-Guided Tours - AutoHands-OnCitizen ScienceArts and CraftsVolunteer VacationHikingBackcountry HikingFront-Country HikingHorse TrekkingHorse Camping (see also camping)PaddlingCanoeingKayakingJunior Ranger ProgramTubingSnow TubingSkiingCross-Country SkiingDownhill SkiingSnow PlaySnowshoeingSurfingSwimmingPool SwimmingFreshwater SwimmingSaltwater SwimmingWildlife WatchingBirdwatchingPark FilmMuseum ExhibitsShoppingBookstore and Park StoreGift Shop and Souvenirs

Weather

Summers tend to be fair and warm, with high temperatures between 65 and 75 degrees F. July, August and September are the driest months, with heavier precipitation during the rest of the year. While winters are mild at lower elevation, snowfall can be heavy in the mountains. It is common for different weather conditions to exist within the park at the same time. At any time of year, visitors should come prepared for a variety of conditions.

Contact

Photos

Stay near this park

No horse-friendly stays listed near Olympic National Park yet. Know a great barn or property? Help fellow riders by listing it.

List your property

Directions

You can reach Olympic National Park via the I-5 corridor or by any one of the quieter state roadways. Once you arrive on the Olympic Peninsula connect to Hwy 101 to reach any destinations in and around Olympic National Park. From Olympia: take I-5 to Hwy 101 From Tacoma: take State Route 16 to Bremerton; take State Route 3 north from Bremerton to State Route 104. From Washington/Oregon Coast connect to Hwy 101 in Aberdeen.

Source: nps.gov