Olympic National Park Wilderness Information Centers

Notices:

• Wilderness backpacking permits are required for every backpacking trip within the park, year-round. See our Wilderness Trip Planner page for more information.

• Bear canisters are required in certain regions and at some specific campsites within Olympic National Park. Find your campsites on the Interactive Trip Planner Map page to see if you are camping in a location that requires them.

  • Some popular areas that require canisters include: the entire wilderness coast, the Royal Basin area, the Sol Duc/Seven Lakes Basin area, and Enchanted Valley in the Quinault.

  • We highly encourage wilderness users to provide their own bear canisters, though, they are available for loan from Wilderness Information Centers during business hours. While we do have a large supply of canisters, we occasionally run out over exceptionally busy weekends.

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Port Angeles Wilderness Information Center (year-round)

• Current Hours: Open daily 9 AM - 4 PM
• Operating Season: Open year round, closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day
• Phone Number: [phone]. We appreciate your patience during the summer season when our call volume is the highest. See website for Wilderness Reservations.
• E-mail Address: e-mail us (we reply to wilderness/backpacking related questions)
• Physical Location: Olympic National Park Visitor Center, 3002 Mount Angeles Road, Port Angeles, WA 98362
• Mailing Address: Olympic National Park, WIC, 600 East Park Avenue, Port Angeles, WA 98362.
• Directions:
  • Heading West: Follow U.S. Highway 101 into Port Angeles. As you approach Race St., you will see a large brown sign for Hurricane Ridge/Olympic National Park Visitor Center. Turn left onto Race Street and drive 1 mile to the Olympic National Park Visitor Center.
  • Heading East: Follow U.S. Highway 101 into Port Angeles and take a slight right on E Lauridsen Blvd. In 0.8 miles take a right on S. Race St. continue onto Mount Angeles Rd to the Olympic National Park Visitor Center.

 

Quinault Rainforest Ranger Station (seasonal)

• Current Hours: CLOSED Will reopen Spring 2024 Bear Canister return bin is available year round
• Operating Season: Memorial Day through end of September
• Phone Number: [phone]
• Location: Quinault Rain Forest Ranger Station - 913 North Shore Road, Amanda Park, WA 98526.
• Directions: Heading East or West: Traveling on U.S. Highway 101, turn onto the North Shore Quinault Road. Follow the road for approximately 5 miles and turn left at the sign for the Quinault Rain Forest Ranger Station.

 

Hoodsport Wilderness Information Center (seasonal)

• Current Hours: Olympic National Park will not be operating out of the Hoodsport Visitor Information Center in 2023. Bear can pick ups and drop offs will not be available.

 

Services Provided

• Wilderness backpacking permits for all of Olympic National Park.

• Advance reservations for limited use wilderness areas within Olympic National Park.

• Wilderness trip planning assistance (trail information, trail conditions, safety concerns).

• Wilderness education (Leave No Trace, food storage, safety).

• Bear Canisters are available for loan.

• Discover Your Northwest (Port Angeles) sells topographic maps, guide books, and field guides.