What's on in Olympic National Park, United States through the year

Busy — Winter / Christmas break in United States, school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in January.

Still on: Hurricane Ridge winter access (1 Dec – 31 Mar)

Shoulder season — an ordinary month

Nothing new starts in February.

Still on: Hurricane Ridge winter access (1 Dec – 31 Mar)

Busy — Spring break in United States

Nothing new starts in March.

Still on: Hurricane Ridge winter access (1 Dec – 31 Mar)

Shoulder season — an ordinary month

Nothing new starts in April.

Shoulder season — an ordinary month

Nothing new starts in May.

Busy — Summer break in United States, school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it

• Nature

  Subalpine wildflowers

  20 Jun – 10 Aug · usuallyWildflowers & blooms

  The Hurricane Ridge meadows bloom in the few weeks after the snow leaves, usually late June into July. The date moves by a fortnight either way depending on what the winter left behind.

Peak crowds — The dry window, Summer break in United States

• Opening

  High country opens

  1 Jul – 10 Oct · usuallyTrail season

  Obstruction Point Road, Deer Park and the high traverses only clear in July, weeks after the rainforest has greened up. Before then the ridge is a snowshoe, not a walk. Source ↗

• Season

  The dry window

  5 Jul – 15 SepDry seasonCrowded

  The wettest corner of the lower 48 takes about ten weeks off in high summer. It is the only stretch when the coast, the rainforest and the ridge all work on one trip, and everyone knows it.

Still on: Subalpine wildflowers (20 Jun – 10 Aug (usually))

Peak crowds — travelers describe it as peak season, The dry window

Nothing new starts in August.

Still on: Subalpine wildflowers (20 Jun – 10 Aug (usually)), High country opens (1 Jul – 10 Oct (usually)), The dry window (5 Jul – 15 Sep)

Peak crowds — The dry window, Summer break in United States

• Nature

  Roosevelt elk rut

  5 Sep – 20 Oct · usuallyWildlife season

  Bulls bugle through the Hoh and Queets valleys from early September, and the sound carries a long way under that canopy. Keep well back; they are the largest elk in North America and unbothered by people.

Still on: High country opens (1 Jul – 10 Oct (usually)), The dry window (5 Jul – 15 Sep)

Shoulder season — an ordinary month

Nothing new starts in October.

Still on: High country opens (1 Jul – 10 Oct (usually)), Roosevelt elk rut (5 Sep – 20 Oct (usually))

Busy — Thanksgiving break in United States

Nothing new starts in November.

Busy — Winter / Christmas break in United States, school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it

• Closure

  Hurricane Ridge winter access

  1 Dec – 31 Mar

  The only road to the alpine is ploughed Friday to Sunday and holiday Mondays in winter, with uphill traffic allowed 9am to 4pm and chains required in the vehicle. The rest of the week the gate stays shut. Source ↗