Things To Do During National Park Week
Heads up: National Park Week has a new date this year!
It's moving from its traditional April slot to August 22-30, 2026, as the National Park Service celebrates its 110th birthday alongside America's 250th anniversary. Entrance fees will be waived (FREE ENTRY!) nationwide on August 25th, so it's a great excuse to finally check a few of these Olympic National Park spots off your list.
Port Angeles is the closest gateway town to some of the park's best day trips, and with a full week to work with, you can spread things out! Here's a simple, four-day itinerary to help you make the most of it!
Deer Park during the evening is a great view from the top!
Day 1: Deer Park (Full Day)
Start the week with a trip up to Deer Park, one of Olympic National Park's best kept secrets and one of the least crowded high-country destinations in the park! While Hurricane Ridge gets most of the attention, Deer Park offers that same breathtaking subalpine beauty with a fraction of the foot traffic, making it a wonderful place to feel like you truly have the mountains to yourself.
The drive up is narrow, unpaved, and winding for a good portion of the way, so leave any trailers or RVs behind and plan for about an hour from Port Angeles. It is not recommended for those uncomfortable with mountain roads, but the payoff at the top more than makes up for it. Once you arrive, you will be treated to sweeping panoramic views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, the San Juan Islands, and on a clear day, the peaks of the North Cascades across the water.
For hiking, the Deer Park Nature Trail is a short and scenic loop right from the campground, perfect for taking in the meadows and ridgeline without a ton of elevation gain. For something more ambitious, the Obstruction Point Trail follows the ridgeline and delivers some of the most dramatic open views in the entire park. Pack a lunch, bring layers, and give yourself the full day to enjoy it.
Day 2: Lake Crescent Area (Full Day)
This is the day to slow down and take in one of the park's most photogenic corners, and trust us, you're going to want to linger!
Start your morning with a hike to Marymere Falls, an easy, family-friendly trail that winds through old-growth forest before revealing a stunning 90-foot waterfall tucked away in the trees. It's the kind of place that makes you stop and just breathe for a minute. The trail is relatively short but feels like stepping into another world entirely, making it a perfect way to ease into the day.
For lunch, pull over at Granny's Cafe, a beloved roadside spot right along Highway 101 that locals have been counting on for years. Known for their juicy burgers, creamy ice cream, and famously good pies, it's the kind of place that earns a loyal following for a reason. Nothing fancy, just good honest food with a whole lot of character and charm that is very much worth the stop.
In the afternoon, make your way to the Spruce Railroad Trail for one of the most rewarding lake walks in the region. The trail follows an old rail line along the north shore of Lake Crescent, offering sweeping water views and a sense of quiet that is hard to find anywhere else. Make sure to stop at Devil's Punchbowl, a natural cove where the water is so impossibly clear and blue it barely looks real. Bring your swimsuit if the weather is cooperating because you won't regret it.
Cap the day off with dinner at Lake Crescent Lodge, where the dining room looks right out over the water as the evening light settles in. It's the kind of ending to a day that's hard to top.
Day 3: Hurricane Ridge & Madison Falls
Hurricane Ridge is the park's classic must-see: panoramic mountain views, wildflower meadows in summer, and a good chance of spotting deer or marmots along the trails near the visitor center. Plan for at least half the day here, longer if you want to hike one of the ridge trails.
On your way back down, make a quick stop at Madison Falls. It's an easy, paved, five-minute walk from the parking area, which makes it a nice low-effort add-on after a more active morning.
Day 4: Sol Duc Falls
Round out the week with a visit to Sol Duc Falls, one of the most-photographed waterfalls in the park. The trail is short and mostly flat, making it accessible for nearly everyone, and the falls themselves, where the river splits and drops through a narrow gorge, are worth the trip on their own. If you have extra time, this area also connects to longer trails for those who want to keep going!
Want a Guide Instead?
If you'd rather not plan the logistics yourself, Olympic Hiking Co. offers guided tours throughout the park, tailored to different skill levels and interests. It's a solid option if you're visiting with a group, want some local trail knowledge, or just want to hand off the planning for a day.
Photo credit: National Park Service
PLANNING TIPS:
Get an early start each morning
National Park Week draws bigger crowds than usual, especially around the fee-free day on August 25. Get an early start each morning, and consider booking dinner reservations in town ahead of time, especially at Lake Crescent Lodge, which fills up fast during peak season!
Don't forget to LEAVE NO TRACE!
Pack in, pack out, and keep our parks free of litter: that means trash, food scraps, and even "biodegradable" stuff like orange peels. Stick to marked trails, leave rocks, plants, and wildlife exactly as you found them, and always dispose of waste properly. It's a small effort that makes a huge difference in keeping Olympic's trails and viewpoints as stunning for the next visitor as they were for you!
Round up for the park at checkout
Many gift shops and visitor centers run by Washington's National Park Fund or Discover Your Northwest let you round up your purchase to the nearest dollar - small change that goes directly toward trail maintenance and restoration projects.
Join a Volunteer-in-Parks (VIP) event!
Washington's National Park Fund and the park itself often organize trail work parties, invasive species removal, or beach cleanups during National Park Week. Check the park's events calendar before you go! A couple hours of volunteering pairs well with a lighter day like Madison Falls.
Consider a direct donation
Washington's National Park Fund is the official nonprofit partner for Olympic, Mount Rainier, and North Cascades. Donations support everything from trail crews to educational programs, and even a small contribution before or after your trip helps offset the wear-and-tear that comes with National Park Week's bigger crowds.
Washington's National Park Fund is the official nonprofit partner for Olympic, Mount Rainier, and North Cascades National Parks. Donations to WNPF fund priority projects across all three parks, supporting search and rescue equipment, trail maintenance, wildlife studies, and meadow restoration teams to help keep these places thriving for future generations. You can donate online, give monthly, or contribute via stock, DAF, or a planned gift!