• Olympic: Three Parks in One

    Olympic

    National Park Washington

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  • Olympic Hot Springs Road Closed

    The Elwha Valley's Olympic Hot Springs Road is closed to public entry beyond the Altair Campground during removal of the Glines Canyon Dam. Olympic Hot Springs is not accessible from the Elwha.

  • Elwha River Closures

    Boating is prohibited on the Elwha River between Upper Lake Mills Trail and Altair Campground.

  • Changes to Visitor Services Due to Sequestration

    Due to mandatory, across the board budget cuts, some visitor services at Olympic National Park have changed. See the Plan Your Visit section for more information.

Field Trip Safety Considerations

Weather at Olympic National Park constantly changes and trip safety is paramount. Be prepared for diverse and hazardous conditions and inclement weather at any time of year.

Safety Considerations

  • First Aid Trained Personnel - Dependent upon you school policy, we recommend that at least one member of your party is certified in First Aid and CPR.
  • First Aid Kit - A well-stocked first aid kit is a necessity.
  • Chaperones - We recommend one adult chaperone per 8 to 12 students.
  • Weather - Please check the latest forecast prior to your field trip.
  • Slips, Trips, and Falls - Be prepared for wet, slippery and obstacle laden trails. Proper foot wear and sound trail etiquette will mitigate injuries and accidents due to slips, trips and falls.
  • Inclement Weather Plan - Have a back up plan prepared and ready if conditions change or if facilities are closed due to adverse weather conditions.
  • Hurricane Ridge - If planning a trip to Hurricane Ridge in winter please visit the following page or check the current conditions at the ridge.
  • Coastal Trips - If planning a trip to the coast, please review current tide charts as well as additional hazards specific to the coast.
  • Weather Conditions Weather Conditions

    The latest local forecast and live webcam images from around the Olympic Peninsula Read More

Did You Know?

closeup of cow elk face

Olympic National Park protects the largest unmanaged herd of Roosevelt elk in the world. Olympic was almost named "Elk National Park" and was established in part to protect these stately animals.