I Heart Pacific Northwest

The Olympic National Park is incredibly diverse – including rugged coastline, lush rainforests, subalpine meadows and lakes, as well as high peaks. These backpacking trips showcase some of the best scenery that each ecosystem has to offer.

For more info about backpacking gear and trip planning, visit these posts:

High Divide & Seven Lakes Basin

The highly scenic High Divide loop in the Olympic Mountains is extremely popular for a good reason – it showcases everything from a lush rainforest to subalpine lakes, and panoramic views of the highest peaks in the Olympics. Advance permits are required for all backcountry campsites.

I Heart PNW trip report: High Divide backpacking trip
distance & elevation gain to campsite in Seven Lakes Basin: 9.2 miles, 3,070 ft. gain (for a shorter hike in, there are many campsites on this loop)
day hike options: Seven Lakes Basin, Hoh Lake, Bogachiel Peak
best months: August to September

Marmot Pass via Big Quilcene River Trail

On this four day backpacking trip, we hiked in to Camp Mystery to setup a basecamp and hiked each day to Marmot Pass and explored the area. The views from the pass are incredible, with most of the peaks in the Olympics filling the horizon.

I Heart PNW trip report: Marmot Pass via Big Quilcene River Trail
distance & elevation gain to campsite: 4.6 miles, 2,900 ft. gain
day hike options: Marmot Pass, Boulder Ridge, Buckhorn Mountain
best months: July – September

North Fork Skokomish River Trail

Located in the Olympic National Park, the North Fork Skokomish River Trail is a great low elevation trip for the spring when water levels are running high in the cascading river and the lush forest is filled with many shades of green.

I Heart PNW trip report: North Fork Skokomish River backpacking trip
distance & elevation gain to Spike Camp: 4 miles, 800 ft. gain
day hike options: continue on the North Fork Skokomish Trail; Flapjack Lakes
best months: May – June

Ozette Triangle

Washington’s Olympic Coast is truly wild, with access limited to hikers and backpackers for long stretches of coast line. This trip to South Sand Point includes a day hike to see ancient native petroglyphs at Wedding Rocks.

I Heart PNW trip report: South Sand Point backpacking trip
distance & elevation gain to South Sand Point Camp: 4.5 miles, 175 ft. gain
day hike options: Wedding Rocks petroglyphs
best months: spring (for better water access for filtering)

Hoh River Rainforest

The Hoh Rainforest is one of the wettest places in the United States. The rainforest here is lush with mosses and lichens and plenty of water – and the trail is fairly flat and next to the river with several designated camp areas along the way.

I Heart PNW trip report: Hoh River Trail backpacking trip
distance & elevation gain to Five Mile Island Camp: 5.1 miles, 400 ft. gain
day hike options: continue on the Hoh River Trail to the Olympus Guard Station
best months: May to June

Olympic Coast – Rialto Beach to Chilean Memorial

Washington’s Olympic Coast is a wild coast – with extremely limited access to vast sections of it. About 70 miles of this incredibly scenic coastline is part of the Olympic National Park and accessible to hardy backpackers willing to time their trek at low tide to round headlands, or to use ropes to climb steep slopes to reach overland trails.

I Heart PNW trip report: Rialto Beach to Chilean Memorial backpacking trip
distance & elevation gain to Chilean Memorial Camp: 4 miles, 200 ft. gain
best months: May to July

Quinault River & the Enchanted Valley

Beginning at the Graves Creek trailhead, the Quinault River Trail follows the river through dense Olympic rainforest. Setup camp at one of the many backcountry sites and day hike to the Enchanted Valley.

I Heart PNW trip report: Enchanted Valley backpacking trip
distance & elevation gain to Fire Creek Camp: 3.8 miles, 1,125 ft. gain
day hike option: continue on the Quinault River Trail to Enchanted Valley
best months: May to June

Royal Lake & Royal Basin

Royal Lake provides access to some of the best subalpine and alpine scenery in the Olympic Mountains. From Royal Lake, it’s a short hike to explore the stunning alpine scenery of Upper Royal Basin.

I Heart PNW trip report: Royal Basin backpacking trip
distance & elevation gain to Royal Lake Camp: 6.5 miles, 2,800 ft. gain (for a shorter hike in, spend the first night at Royal Creek Camp)
day hike options: Upper Royal Basin
best months: mid-July to September

Shi Shi Beach

Camping at Shi Shi Beach on the northern Washington Coast is an unmatched experience – with incredible sea stacks, sunsets, sea caves and plenty of beach to explore. The hike in is also one of the muddiest as it works its way through dense coastal forest.

I Heart PNW trip report: Shi Shi Beach backpacking trip
distance & elevation gain to campsite: 5 miles, 400 ft. gain
best months: May to July

Olympic National Park Backpacking Locations