Reservation8/10
Olympic Coast
73-mile wilderness beach traverse along Washington's wildest coastline, from Shi...
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ReservationOvernightHigh Demand
Olympic National Park Wilderness Permit
The single overnight permit for backpacking anywhere in Olympic National Park's 95 percent wilderness, covering the Hoh rainforest, the High Divide, the Sol Duc and Elwha valleys, and 73 miles of wild Pacific coast. Required year-round and booked on Recreation.gov by wilderness area.
“One permit unlocks glaciated peaks, temperate rainforest, and wild coastline inside a single national park, the only place in the lower 48 where you can do all three on one trip.”
Track a specific zone— not the whole wilderness
Olympic Wilderness Quick Facts
Permit RequiredYes
Booking MethodReservation
Demand LevelHigh8/10
SeasonMay 15 - October 15
Cost$8/person/night (16+, under-16 free) + $6 reservation fee; $45 annual pass covers nightly fee
Max Group Size12 people
Olympic Wilderness Permit Facts
- As of August 2026, Olympic Wilderness in Olympic National Park, National Parks requires a permit issued via reservation.
- Olympic Wilderness is a high-demand permit, rating 8/10 on PermitSnag's demand index.
- The permit season for Olympic Wilderness runs May 15 through October 15.
- Cancelled Olympic Wilderness permits are re-released on the booking system; PermitSnag monitors availability and alerts watchers when dates open.
Key Information
Key Dates
SeasonMay 15 - October 15
Permit Details
TypeOvernight
Booking MethodReservation
Demand Level8/10
LocationOlympic Peninsula, Washington
Pro Tips
- •Set an alarm for April 15 at 10:00 AM Eastern if you want the Hoh, Ozette, or Sol Duc high country in peak summer.
- •The east and south sides (Staircase, Dosewallips, Quinault) hold openings midweek when the marquee corridors are full.
- •Track cancellations with PermitSnag on a specific wilderness area rather than the whole park, spots reopen constantly through summer.
- •Borrow a bear canister at the Wilderness Information Center instead of buying one for a single trip.
- •For coastal camps, plan around the tide table before you plan around mileage.
What to Expect
Route Details
Route Type
Varies
Duration
One night to a week or more. This is a single park-wide permit covering 299 camp areas on Recreation.gov, so the trip length is whatever itinerary you book.
Highlights
- •Book by wilderness area, not by a single trailhead, then plan camps within the area you reserved
- •Real-time availability and instant confirmation on Recreation.gov
- •Designated numbered camps in the busiest corridors (Hoh, Sol Duc, Ozette, coast)
- •Three distinct environments: glaciated peaks, old-growth rainforest, and wilderness coast
- •Free bear canister loans from the Wilderness Information Center in Port Angeles
Best Time to Visit
Late July through September is the driest stretch, with high-country snow mostly melted out and the longest coastal daylight for timing tides. May and June are green and quiet in the valleys but wet and snowbound up high.
Hazards & Considerations
- !Fast-moving Pacific storms and heavy rain in every season
- !River crossings that rise quickly after rain or snowmelt
- !Tide-dependent headlands on the coast that can trap hikers against cliffs
- !Snow lingering on high passes into July in the Sol Duc and Bailey Range high country
- !Little to no cell service across most of the wilderness
Weather Forecast
Trailhead (5,000 ft)
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Backcountry Tips
- Day 6: 84% chance of precipitation. Pack rain gear.
Today
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54°
40°
Sat
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46°
38°
26%
Sun
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50°
35°
Mon
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62°
39°
Tue
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56°
39°
49%
Wed
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52°
36°
84%
Thu
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49°
32°
52%
View full NWS forecast →Mountain weather changes rapidly. This forecast is a guide—always be prepared for worse conditions.
How to Get This Permit
1
Create a Recreation.gov account
Sign up at Recreation.gov if you don't have an account. Have your payment info ready.
2
Know the release schedule
Permits typically release on a rolling basis. Check the specific release time for your desired dates.
3
Be ready when permits drop
Log in a few minutes early. Have your dates, group size, and payment ready to go.
4
Monitor for cancellations
If your dates are sold out, people cancel all the time. Set up PermitSnag alerts to catch openings instantly.
Difficulty Assessment
Physical Demand1/5
Fitness and endurance required
Technical Skill1/5
Climbing, scrambling, or specialized skills
Navigation1/5
Route finding and trail clarity
Commitment3/5
Difficulty of bailing out mid-route
Best For
Hikers of moderate fitness willing to put in the effort.
Recommended Experience
Basic hiking experience. Start with shorter trails if new to hiking.
About This Permit
The Olympic National Park Wilderness Permit is one permit that covers all overnight backpacking inside the park, split into 15 wilderness areas on Recreation.gov: Staircase, Dosewallips, Hurricane, Elwha, Sol Duc, Bogachiel, Hoh, Queets, Quinault, Bailey Range, Lake Crescent, North Coast, South Coast, plus a Pacific Northwest Trail thru-permit. You reserve the specific area and dates you plan to camp, and the same permit stays with you as you move between zones on a longer route.
Permits are required year-round for every overnight stay in Olympic wilderness. There is no lottery. Summer-season dates (May 15 through October 15) go on sale April 15 at 10:00 AM Eastern, and popular quota areas sell out fast. Outside that window you still need a permit, booked the same way. Paper self-registration at trailheads no longer exists, so book ahead on Recreation.gov or through the Wilderness Information Center.
The Experience
Why It Matters
Olympic protects nearly a million acres of designated wilderness (the Daniel J. Evans Wilderness) across three ecosystems that almost never sit side by side. Mount Olympus carries active glaciers, the Hoh and Quinault valleys hold some of the last old-growth temperate rainforest on earth, and the coastal strip stays roadless for miles. A backpacking permit is the only way to sleep out in any of it, and demand for the quota areas is real: Ozette, the Hoh, and the Sol Duc high country book out within minutes of opening.
The Route
There is no one route. The permit covers 15 wilderness areas, and where you camp is where you reserve. Valley approaches like the Hoh River, Elwha, and North Fork Quinault start low and green, gaining elevation slowly toward high camps and passes. The High Divide loop out of Sol Duc strings together Seven Lakes Basin and a ridgeline face-to-face with Mount Olympus. Staircase and Dosewallips open the drier east side of the range. The North and South Coast routes trade switchbacks for tide tables, sand, and headland scrambles on fixed ropes.
Most trips run 2 to 5 nights. Popular corridors use designated numbered camps and fill first, while quieter areas on the east and south sides often have space midweek. Bear canisters are required in every wilderness camp area, and the Wilderness Information Center in Port Angeles loans them free to permit holders.
The Feeling
Rain drips off moss the size of dinner plates in the valley bottoms, then the trail climbs into subalpine meadows where marmots whistle and the whole Bailey Range fills the horizon. Down on the coast you time your walk to the tide, watch bald eagles work the driftwood line, and fall asleep to surf instead of silence.
Trailhead Information
Hoh Ranger Station
Start of the Hoh River Trail and the busiest wilderness entry in the park. NPS's trailhead waypoint file lists this point as Hoh Ranger Station.
Restrooms
No water
Parking
NPS says parking at the Hoh Rain Forest is limited in summer, and recommends arriving before 8 am or after 5 pm to avoid entrance-station waits of up to 2 hours.
Nearest Services
NPS puts the Hoh Rain Forest 20 miles southeast of Forks, WA.
Sol Duc Trail
Entry for the High Divide and Seven Lakes Basin. NPS puts the area 15 miles south of Lake Crescent.
Restrooms
No water
Graves Creek Ranger Station
Entry for the East Fork Quinault River Trail and Enchanted Valley.
Restrooms
No water
Getting There
Reach Graves Creek Road via North Shore Road. RVs and trailers are prohibited on Graves Creek Road.
Ozette Ranger Station
Entry for the Ozette Triangle and the north end of the wilderness coast quota area.
Restrooms
No water
Getting There
NPS asks visitors to check with the Washington State Department of Transportation before travelling, because SR 112 has been subject to frequent closure and detours from flooding and landslides.
Rialto Beach (Mora)
Road access to the North Coast camp areas.
Restrooms
No water
Staircase Ranger Station
Southeast corner entry.
Restrooms
No water
Getting There
NPS says road access to Staircase is via Forest Service Road 24, a gravel road along Lake Cushman.
Port Angeles Wilderness Information Center
Year-round permit office, and the phone call that handles what Recreation.gov cannot. NPS says only the sites on the Wilderness Trip Planner Map are bookable online, and that cross-country or off-trail trips have to be set up with the centre directly.
Restrooms
No water
Notes
Olympic National Park Visitor Center, 3002 Mount Angeles Road, Port Angeles, WA 98362. NPS publishes its operating season as year round, closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Phone (360) 565-3100.
Rules & Regulations
- •Wilderness permit required year-round for all overnight stays
- •Bear canisters required in all wilderness camp areas
- •Group size for overnight wilderness trips is limited to 12 people and 8 stock
- •Each camp area sets its own maximum, 6 to 12 people, so check the area before you book
- •Groups of seven or more must use designated group sites in Sol Duc/Seven Lakes Basin, Hoh Lake Trail, Hoh River Valley, Grand Valley, Royal Basin, Flapjack Lakes, Lake Constance, and Upper Lena Lake
- •Affiliated groups may not combine to form a group of more than 12 people, and must camp and travel at least one mile apart
- •Camp only in designated sites where they are assigned, and follow food storage rules
- •$8 per person per night for ages 16 and up, plus a $6 reservation fee per permit
Gear Checklist
Required
- Bear canister (loaner available free with a permit)
- Rain shell and waterproof layers for a wet maritime climate
- Printed permit and, for coastal routes, a current tide table
- Water filter or treatment
Plan Your Trip
🎒
Gear Checklist
Required and recommended gear for Olympic Wilderness
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Shuttle Services
Trailhead transportation options
Browse all shuttles🧭
Guide Services
Experienced wilderness guides
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Key Landmarks
Wilderness Information Center, Port Angeles
Where you pick up the permit, get current conditions, and borrow a bear canister at no cost.
Seven Lakes Basin / High Divide
Sol Duc high country loop with lake basins and a direct view of Mount Olympus and its glaciers.
Hoh River to Glacier Meadows
Rainforest valley climb toward the Blue Glacier and the flank of Mount Olympus, one of the park's most requested corridors.
Enchanted Valley
Historic chalet under a wall of seasonal waterfalls in the Quinault backcountry.
North Coast (Shi Shi to Rialto)
Sea stacks, Cape Alava, and tide-dependent headland crossings on the wilderness coastal strip.
Olympic Wilderness FAQ
Is the Olympic National Park wilderness permit a lottery?
No. The Olympic wilderness permit is a first-come reservation, not a lottery. Summer dates (May 15 through October 15) open April 15 at 10:00 AM Eastern on Recreation.gov, and the busiest quota areas like the Hoh, Ozette, and Sol Duc high country can sell out within minutes.
How much does the Olympic National Park wilderness permit cost?
The permit charges $8 per person per night for anyone 16 and older, and youth 15 and under are free. Each overnight permit also carries a $6 non-refundable reservation fee. A $45 annual wilderness pass covers the nightly fee for 12 months but not the reservation fee.
Do I need a permit for every part of Olympic National Park?
One wilderness permit covers your whole trip, but you reserve the specific wilderness area (or areas) where you plan to camp each night. If your route crosses from, say, Sol Duc into Bogachiel, you book camps in each area on the same permit.
Is a bear canister required for the Olympic National Park wilderness permit?
Yes. Bear canisters are required in all Olympic wilderness camp areas. The Wilderness Information Center in Port Angeles loans them free to anyone with a backpacking permit, first-come, first-served.
What is the group size limit on the Olympic National Park wilderness permit?
The park-wide maximum is 12 people and 8 stock. Some camp areas cap below that, and in those areas a party of 7 to 12 has to use a designated group site: Sol Duc/Seven Lakes Basin, Hoh Lake Trail, Hoh River Trail, Grand Valley, Upper Lena Lake, and Lake Constance. Affiliated groups cannot combine to exceed 12 people at any time, and must camp and travel at least a mile apart.
Can I still get a walk-up Olympic National Park wilderness permit?
There are no longer paper self-registration permits at trailheads. Book on Recreation.gov ahead of time, or contact the Wilderness Information Center for areas that release permits by phone or in person.
👥Community
Trail Conditions(8)
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Crews Responding to Mount Tom Creek and Mt. Barnes Fires
DangerousReported 2 days ago
Fire managers are responding to two lightning fires in a remote areas Olympic National Park. The Mount Tom Creek Fire has burned 69 acres 5 miles west-northwest of Mount Olympus. The Mt. Barnes Fire has burned 0.5 acres 1.5 miles southeast of Mt. Barnes. Firefighters are using indirect confinement tactics as part of a full-suppression strategy. Backpackers are encouraged to consider alternative routes to the Hoh River Trail should fire activity increase. There are no evacuation orders or closures. --- Source: NPS Alerts (olym) | Alert ID: 487BC261-D8E4-4740-9E89-B71B9E784521
OLYM - NPS Alert
Reported by
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Trail Conditions Bot🔥
Lightning Fire Southeast of Mt. Barnes
DangerousReported 5 days ago
Fire managers are responding to a lightning fire in a remote area 1.5 miles southwest of Mt. Barnes. The fire is less than one acre. Crews continue to use helicopter‑delivered water drops to support ongoing fire suppression efforts. There are no closures or evacuation orders. Additional updates will be shared as information becomes available. --- Source: NPS Alerts (olym) | Alert ID: A978953B-0DE9-4D76-9047-F4E08A99A510
OLYM - NPS Alert
Reported by
T
Trail Conditions Bot🔥
Lightning Fire Reported North of Maiden Peak
DangerousReported 5 days ago
A lightning fire is burning near a ridgeline approximately 1 mile north of Maiden Peak. The fire is less than one acre in size. Fire managers are responding and ordering resources to assess other potential lightning starts within the park. There are no evacuation orders or closures. --- Source: NPS Alerts (olym) | Alert ID: 903A1EDF-B3E3-4813-B06D-91D85FC5F4AE
OLYM - NPS Alert
Reported by
T
Trail Conditions Bot🔥
New Lightning Fire Southeast of Mt. Barnes
DangerousReported 2 weeks ago
Fire managers are responding to a lightning fire in a remote area 1.5 miles southwest of Mt. Barnes. The fire is less than one acre. Crews dropped water buckets on Friday. There are no closures or evacuation orders. Additional updates will be shared as information becomes available. --- Source: NPS Alerts (olym) | Alert ID: A978953B-0DE9-4D76-9047-F4E08A99A510
OLYM - NPS Alert
Reported by
T
Trail Conditions Bot🔥
Crews Responding to Mount Tom Creek Fire
DangerousReported 2 weeks agoMay be outdated
The lightning-caused Mt. Tom Creek Fire is burning on a remote mountain slope on the west side of Olympic National Park. Firefighters are using indirect confinement tactics as part of a full-suppression strategy. Backpackers are encouraged to consider alternative routes to the Hoh River Trail should fire activity increase. There are no evacuation orders or closures. --- Source: NPS Alerts (olym) | Alert ID: 487BC261-D8E4-4740-9E89-B71B9E784521
OLYM - NPS Alert
Reported by
T
Trail Conditions Bot❄️
Mora Road Closed for Essential Repairs
DangerousReported 7 weeks agoMay be outdated
Mora Road is closed to all traffic, including bicycles and pedestrians, at the campground. Rialto Beach is not accessible via Mora Road during this construction period. Mora Campground is open. This construction work will repair damage from a severe winter flood event, fortify the road against river migration, and protect long-term access to Rialto Beach. --- Source: NPS Alerts (olym) | Alert ID: 8889EA7E-7113-4F30-A234-F417065A7A3E
OLYM - NPS Alert
Reported by
T
Trail Conditions Bot🔥
Full Burn Ban Begins August 7
WarningReported 3 weeks agoMay be outdated
Due to increased fire activity and dry vegetation, all campfires will be prohibited starting on August 7. This includes wilderness, backcountry, non-developed and developed areas, and coastal beaches. Propane and gas stoves are allowed, if operated at least three feet away from flammable vegetation and forest litter. --- Source: NPS Alerts (olym) | Alert ID: 8CEBCB9B-9144-4868-84B0-AB3330932BB8
OLYM - NPS Alert
Reported by
T
Trail Conditions Bot🔥
Staircase Developed Area is Open, Use Caution in Burned Areas
WarningReported 7 weeks agoMay be outdated
The Staircase developed area is open. The surrounding wilderness areas will remain closed as repair and recovery efforts continue. Use extreme caution when entering burned areas. Burned landscapes may contain falling trees and branches, loose boulders, unstable ground, stump holes, landslides, and debris flows. Changing conditions such as wind, rain, or storms can rapidly trigger hazards. Learn more on our Fire Conditions and Updates page. --- Source: NPS Alerts (olym) | Alert ID: 0918CC30-347E-47CA-98FC-9AB7602DE1B3
OLYM - NPS Alert
Reported by
T
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Write the First ReportPhotography Guide
Golden Hour
One permit covers three very different places. On the coast the light is the evening one, with headlands and drift logs going flat and black against the sun. In the rain forest valleys the good hour is the first one, while mist is still sitting in the moss. Up on the divides both ends of the day work, and neither lasts long.
Best Light
Overcast suits the rain forest. The Hoh and the East Fork Quinault photograph badly in hard midday sun and well in the drizzle that made them. Save the clear days for the High Divide, where NPS lists views of Mount Olympus and other peaks as the draw.
Beat the Crowds
The quota areas are the famous ones. NPS says most of the Olympic wilderness is managed on a non-quota system, that there is no limit on the number of permits issued in those areas, and that you may camp in any area more than 1 mile from a park road where you can camp in a Leave No Trace manner. So if the basin you wanted is gone, most of the park is not rationed.
Classic Shots
- 📍Moss-draped old growth along a rain forest river bench
- 📍Mount Olympus and the Blue Glacier from the end of the Hoh River Trail
- 📍Drift logs and headlands at low tide on the wilderness coast
- 📍A subalpine lake basin under the High Divide with snow still lying, which NPS says can last into June or July most years
- 📍The historic Enchanted Valley chalet at the end of the East Fork Quinault River Trail
- 📍Roosevelt elk in a river-bottom meadow at first light
Can't Get a Olympic Wilderness Permit?
Consider these alternatives if your preferred dates aren't available.
Olympic Coast Trail
Same AreaThe wilderness coast leg of Olympic, sea stacks and tide-timed headlands from Shi Shi Beach south.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
A dedicated coastal thru-hike instead of a park-wide backcountry permit, and it needs a Makah Recreation Pass for the Shi Shi start.
Enchanted Valley
Same AreaQuinault backcountry valley with a historic chalet and a wall of seasonal waterfalls.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
A single popular valley rather than the whole park, and it books out fast in summer.
Seven Lakes Basin
Same AreaThe High Divide loop out of Sol Duc, lake basins facing Mount Olympus.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
Focused on the Sol Duc high country, with snow lingering on the passes into July.
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