What to Pack for Olympic National Park

What to pack for Olympic National Park depends on where you are headed, because the park runs from rain forest valleys and wild beaches to snowy peaks. Start with the Ten Essentials, then add layers and gear for each region and season. Here is our Olympic National Park packing list, built on the park’s own safety advice.

What to pack for Olympic National Park: start with the Ten Essentials

The National Park Service’s Ten Essentials are the core of any day pack, even for a short walk. Weather here can turn quickly, and these are the items that get you through a wrong turn, a sprained ankle or an unplanned night out.

1. Navigation: map, compass and GPS.
2. Sun protection: sunglasses, sunscreen and a hat.
3. Extra clothing: jacket, hat, gloves, rain shell and other layers.
4. Illumination: flashlight or headlamp.
5. First aid supplies: a first aid kit.
6. Fire: matches or a lighter and fire starters.
7. Repair kit and tools: duct tape, knife or multi tool, scissors.
8. Nutrition: extra food.
9. Hydration: water and water treatment supplies.
10. Emergency shelter: tent, space blanket, tarp or bivy.

Why the weather shapes what you bring

The park says the coast and west facing valleys get 100 to 170 inches of rain a year, while park headquarters in Port Angeles averages only 25 to 30 inches. Most of it falls from November through April. Even in July and August, rain is always possible, and hikers should be ready for thunderstorms in the high country.

Summer temperatures can swing 10 to 20 degrees, especially on the coast and at higher elevations, and fog can sit on the beaches on sunny days. Our guide to the best time to visit Olympic National Park covers each season, and the park’s road and weather line is 360-565-3131.

Olympic National Park packing list by region

Where	What to expect	Add to the Ten Essentials
Rain forests	Heavy rain, wet trails	Rain jacket and pants, waterproof boots
Coast	Fog, tides, creek crossings, drift logs	Tide chart, shoes that can get wet, water filter
Mountains	Big temperature swings, storms, late snow	Warm layers, gloves, sun protection
Hurricane Ridge in winter	Deep snow, no indoor warming area	Tire chains, waterproof boots, spare dry clothes
Wilderness overnight	Bears, raccoons, untreated water	Bear canister, water treatment, permit

Rain forests: rain gear first

In the Hoh and Quinault valleys, good rain gear matters more than anything else in your pack. Bring a waterproof jacket and pants, waterproof footwear and a spare warm layer.

Coast: tides, wet feet and fog

On the beaches, the tide sets your schedule. Carry a printed tide chart and, for longer trips, a topographic map, since some headlands can only be rounded at low tide and others not at all. The park recommends sturdy shoes that can get wet for tidepooling, and many beach routes cross creeks.

Coastal streams are often tea stained, and giardia and cryptosporidium are present, so the park says to filter or boil all water; iodine does not kill cryptosporidium. Check pet rules too: pets are not allowed on wilderness beaches such as Second Beach and Third Beach. Our guides to Second Beach and Third Beach at La Push and Leave No Trace on Olympic coast beaches cover tides and drift log safety.

Mountains: layers for fast changes

Up high, snow and heavy rain can linger into June, and many high elevation trails may be impassable until it melts. Snow can return as early as late September. Pack a warm insulating layer, hat and gloves even on a sunny summer day, plus sunglasses and sunscreen for the open ridges.

For a classic day hike up high, our Hurricane Hill Trail guide covers the route and what to expect on the ridge.

Winter at Hurricane Ridge

Hurricane Ridge records 30 to 35 feet of snow a year, and its winter season generally runs from late November through the end of March. As of October 2026, the park requires all vehicles, four wheel drive included, to carry tire chains above the Heart O’ the Hills entrance station from November 1 to April 1. Check the NPS page before you go.

There is no indoor warming area, so the park advises dressing in layers with warm, waterproof boots, hats, mittens, sunscreen and sunglasses. Bring extra food, water, dry clothing and blankets or sleeping bags in the car. Last season the park offered no snowshoe or ski rentals, and sledders needed their own tube or sled.

Anyone heading off the groomed areas should be ready for steep terrain and avalanches, which the park says can change daily or even hourly. Check the Northwest Avalanche Center forecast before you go. Our guide to Hurricane Ridge in winter covers road hours and activities.

Overnight trips and wildlife

Backpackers need a wilderness permit, and along the entire wilderness coast all food, garbage and scented items must go in a park approved bear canister. The park’s Wilderness Information Center lends canisters. Our guide to Olympic National Park wilderness permits explains booking.

Good food storage protects wildlife as well as your dinner. Read our guides to black bears in Olympic National Park and cougars in Olympic National Park before you go, so you know how to react to an encounter.

How Friends of Olympic National Park helps

We are Friends of Olympic National Park (FONP), a volunteer led friends group in Port Angeles. Our volunteers care for the Heart O’ the Forest Trail, clean beaches and host the Winter Perspectives Series. If you love exploring this park well prepared, become a member and help us care for it.

Frequently asked questions