Olympic National Park in March
Good time to visit
March teases you with glimpses of spring between the rain showers. Better than winter months but still requires patience with weather and trail conditions.
Weather
March marks the beginning of spring with decreasing rainfall and warmer days. You'll still get plenty of rain, especially on the western slopes, but also start seeing breaks in the clouds. Snow begins melting at lower elevations, creating muddy conditions on many trails.
12°C high4°C low16 rain days
Crowds & Cost
low crowds
~$95/day average
March Tips
- •Wildflowers start blooming in the lowlands - check out the Quinault Rain Forest Trail
- •Gaiters are essential since trails turn into muddy messes from snowmelt
- •Hurricane Ridge may reopen on weekends if weather cooperates
All Months
Summer is peak season for good reason. July through September offers the best weather, with temperatures in the 70s and minimal rain. But here's the catch — everyone else knows this too. Expect crowds at Hurricane Ridge and long waits for campsites.
June works well if you don't mind some lingering snow at higher elevations. The wildflowers start blooming in alpine meadows, and you'll beat the worst crowds. Plus, hotel rates haven't hit peak summer prices yet.
Winter transforms the park completely. Hurricane Ridge becomes a snow playground with cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. The coast stays relatively mild, and you might have Ruby Beach almost to yourself. But many roads close, and weather can change fast.
Avoid October through March unless you're prepared for rain. The peninsula gets 12+ feet of precipitation annually, most of it falling during these months. The rainforest looks magical in the mist, but hiking becomes muddy and miserable.
Olympic National Park Scores
Solo
9/10
Couples
8/10
Families
7/10
Adventure
10/10
Budget
7/10
Luxury
3/10
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