• 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 to 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.

O'Neil Pass Trail

White Creek Basin

White Creek Basin View

NPS Pablo McLoud

Description
Trail Conditions
Camping
Special Concerns
Safety
Map
Photos

Notices

  • Always call (360) 565-3131 to check the latest road conditions.
 

Description

Ecosystem type: Lowland forest river valley, montane forest, subalpine meadow
Trail Maintenance level: low maintenance
General elevation trend: Moderate
Unique features: record size trees
Level of difficulty: Moderate to strenuous
Distance: 7.4 miles to O'Neil Pass
Elevation change: 1,940 ft. gain
Best Season: Late July through mid-October
Stock: Closed to stock

 

Camping

Permits/Reservations: Obtain permits at the South Shore Quinault Ranger Station when open or the Wilderness Information Center (WIC) in Port Angeles. No reservations necessary.
Food Storage Method: No Bear wires on this trail. Bear canisters are recommended due to lack of good trees for hanging food. If you are hanging food it must be hung at least 12 feet high and 10 ft. out from the nearest tree trunk.
Campsites: White Creek Basin has small tent sites. Campsites also located at Marmot Lake east of O'Neil Pass.
Toilet Facilities: None
Water Source: various small streams. Always boil, filter or chemically treat your drinking water to prevent Giardia.
Stock: Not Allowed, See Stock Use.

 

Special Concerns

Leave No Trace: Leave No Trace of your stay to protect vegetation and prevent further camping regulations. Camp in established sites or on bare ground.
Campfires: To protect sensitive vegetation, campfires are not allowed above 3,500 feet. Where fires are allowed, leave no trace of your fire ring. Burn dead and down wood only.
Respect Wildlife: To protect bears and other wildlife, all food, garbage and scented items must be secured from all wildlife 24 hours a day. Bear canisters are recommended in this area.

 

Safety

  • Always carry the 10 Essentials: map, compass, flashlight, knife, matches, nylon cord, extra food and water, and raingear with warm clothes.
  • Map & compass navigation skills may be necessary in places along this trail. Snow may cover higher reaches of this trail in any season, so know how to navigate without a trail for guidance.
  • Let someone know where and when you are taking your hike. Make emergency plans for them to follow if you do not return.
  • Watch the weather before and during your hike. Storms move quickly. Always check weather forecasts before your trip and watch weather closely during your trip.


 
Quinault Valley
Quinault Valley from O'Neil Pass Trail
NPS Pablo McLoud
 
Oneil Pass View
Peaks from O'Neil Pass
NPS Pablo McLoud

Did You Know?

dam with water flowing

Removal of two dams on the Elwha River is the second largest ecosystem restoration project in the National Park System.