Olympic National Forest surrounds the Olympic National Park like a donut, acting as a buffer zone between public lands and private or commercial timber properties.
The forest contains the headwaters for several major Olympic Peninsula river systems, including the Skokomish, Quinault, and Hamma Hamma rivers.
Unlike the strictly protected National Park, the National Forest allows for 'dispersed camping' where visitors can pitch tents outside of developed campgrounds.
The Quinault Rain Forest, partly within the forest's jurisdiction, is one of the largest temperate rainforests in the United States.
Some trails within the forest are part of the Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail, which spans 1,200 miles from the Continental Divide to the Pacific Ocean.
Olympic National Forest encircles the Olympic National Park in Washington state, spanning over 628,000 acres of diverse temperate rainforest, mountain peaks, and river valleys. It is managed by the U.S. Forest Service as a separate entity from the National Park, allowing for more flexible multi-use activities like hunting and berry harvesting. The forest is characterized by extreme precipitation, receiving between 60 and 150 inches of rain annually, which supports dense stands of Western hemlock and Sitka spruce. Elevations range from sea level along the Hood Canal to over 5,000 feet in the rugged peaks of the Olympic Mountains. The area features numerous designated wilderness zones, including the Buckhorn, Colonel Bob, and Mt. Skokomish Wilderness areas. Visitors can access a network of hundreds of miles of multi-use trails, including segments used by equestrians and mountain bikers. The forest remains one of the few places in the contiguous United States with significant old-growth forest cover.
The Big Creek Bridge on the Big Creek Trail for views of old-growth conifers and cascading water.
Check the official Forest Service website for current 'Road Status' updates before departing, as washouts and snow closures are frequent.
Carry a physical topographic map, as cellular service is non-existent throughout the vast majority of the forest canopy.
Always carry the 'Ten Essentials' even for short hikes, as the dense forest canopy and rapidly changing weather can lead to rapid temperature drops.
Do not rely on GPS navigation alone, as many forest service roads are unsigned or unmapped in consumer satellite applications.
High-elevation roads and trails are typically inaccessible due to deep snow from late autumn through early summer.
Practice 'Leave No Trace' principles; pack out all trash, do not disturb vegetation, and use established fire rings only where allowed.
