Best time to visit Olympic National Park

June to September. Month by month below, with the weather, what's on and what it costs to fly there from your city.

June to September

Summer into early fall is the driest stretch, with roads and facilities open; July and August are the busiest.

“The best time to visit Olympic National Park to enjoy relatively dry days of exploration is between summer and early fall.” intrepidtravel.com
“Summer is one of the best times of year to visit Olympic National Park” wildlandtrekking.com
“The most popular months to visit are June through September.” nps.gov

4 of the 7 travel guides we read name these months.

Olympic National Park month by month

Average high and low in Olympic, and days with rain

January41°F / 33°F · 18 rainy daysChecking fares…The Hoh Rainforest visitor center usually shuts after New Year's for a couple of months.Winter brings heavy rain on the coast and deep snow on the mountains.
February44°F / 33°F · 15 rainy daysChecking fares…Hurricane Ridge is open Fridays to Sundays in winter, weather permitting, and snow chains are required.
March50°F / 35°F · 18 rainy daysChecking fares…Hurricane Ridge winter season generally runs from late November through the end of March.Spring starts in March: snowmelt boosts the waterfalls, and some park sections see up to 19 rainy days a month.
April56°F / 38°F · 14 rainy daysChecking fares…Hurricane Ridge Road opens in April, after which all park roads are open.
May63°F / 43°F · 12 rainy daysChecking fares…Late spring is birthing season for Roosevelt elk in the Hoh rainforest.Spring is the second most popular season for visitation, and seasonal campgrounds begin to open.
Best timeJune67°F / 47°F · 10 rainy daysChecking fares…By June, snow has melted from higher elevations, revealing hiking trails.Snowfall and heavy rain can still occur into June at higher elevations.June has about 10 days of precipitation, versus 5 to 6 in July and August.
Best timeJuly74°F / 51°F · 5 rainy daysChecking fares…July and August are the most popular times for visitors.Humpback whales are likely to be seen along the coast in summer.
Best timeAugust75°F / 52°F · 5 rainy daysChecking fares…Summer is the driest part of the year with clear skies; Hurricane Ridge views stretch into Canada.On busy summer afternoons the wait at popular entrance stations can reach three hours.
Best timeSeptember68°F / 48°F · 8 rainy daysChecking fares…Popular months run June through September, when most roads and facilities are open.Snow can appear in the high country as early as late September.
October56°F / 42°F · 15 rainy daysChecking fares…From October through May some roads, campgrounds and facilities are closed or have reduced hours.Rain and wind reach the rainforest valleys and beaches by late October.
November46°F / 36°F · 19 rainy daysChecking fares…Most winter rain falls between November and April.Rain arrives in deluges on the coast, thinning the crowds; Sol Duc hot springs close for winter.Giant maples in the rainforests change colour in autumn.
December41°F / 33°F · 18 rainy daysChecking fares…Visitor centers and Hurricane Ridge Road are closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas.Sol Duc Road closes entirely in winter.

Weather: Olympic averages (long-term averages), as listed in its climate table on Wikipedia.

Every date to Seattle from your city

Live fares from your airport. Watch them and we alert you when they drop.

Busy, quiet and what to watch for

Busiest

June to AugustAbout 75% of yearly visitors come in June, July and August; lines and full parking lots at Hurricane Ridge and the Hoh.
June to SeptemberMost roads and facilities are open with a full range of programs.

Quietest

WinterFewer crowds, but some roads close and the weather is stormy.
October to MaySome roads, campgrounds and visitor facilities are closed or have reduced hours.

Watch for

November to AprilHeavy rain and flooding or storms that can close roads.
WinterIcy conditions and avalanches are a concern at Hurricane Ridge.
SummerFog can persist on the coast despite sunny conditions.
Any timeWeather is variable and unpredictable across the park.

Questions people ask

Is June a good month to visit Olympic National Park?: Yes, snow has melted from higher trails and forests are lush, though high elevations can still get snow or heavy rain, and crowds build toward July.

Best time to visit Olympic National Park

June to September

Olympic National Park month by month

Every date to Seattle from your city

Busy, quiet and what to watch for

Busiest

Quietest

Watch for

Questions people ask

Best time to visit other places

Best time to visit Olympic National Park

June to September

Olympic National Park month by month

Every date to Seattle from your city

Busy, quiet and what to watch for

Busiest

Quietest

Watch for

Questions people ask

Best time to visit other places