Packing List for Olympic National Park: 17 Things to Bring

Packing is always difficult. I find it even more difficult when I’m taking an adventure trip. Olympic National Park adds some difficulty because there are so many different ecosystems. You have to pack for the rainforest, the rugged coast, and the mountains! This Olympic National Park packing list can help you get started.

Note that every season is different in Olympic. So, if you’re traveling in winter, this is not a packing list for you! It is perfect for summer. This packing list for Olympic National Park could be modified a bit and would work for fall or spring.

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1. Your Parks Pass

Make sure you know how you’re getting into the park. In some cases, you can buy your pass online before you get there. Entrance to Olympic National Park is $30 for 7 days.

But, if you plan to visit any other National Parks in the area get the interagency pass. It gets you into all National Parks that charge a fee. It’s good for a year and costs $80.

If you plan to buy your pass at the gate when you enter note that the park is cashless. So, debit/credit card only.

2. Comfortable hiking shoes

There are plenty of hiking trails in the park, so you’ll want to ensure you have sturdy, comfortable shoes that can handle rough terrain. Having the right shoes on your packing list for Olympic National Park really can make or break your trip.

I don’t usually love hiking books but my Timberlands are actually pretty a m azing in the cold and wet.

Be sure to waterproof your boots if they aren’t already waterproofed. I’ve had great luck with Sno Seal but if your boots aren’t black it will probably change the color a little bit.

3. Hiking sandals for the coast

I’m a big fan of hiking in my Chaco Sandals during warm weather. They are my go-to hiking shoes! I hike pretty much every trail in them. They are particularly nice for the hikes on the coast in Olympic NP.

The one-string and two-string options are great (with or without a toe loop).

The there string options are so cute but they are impossible to adjust. So, they aren’t worth it.

4. Thick & Comfortable Socks

The right socks will help prevent your boots from rubbing on your feet. Plus, on cool mornings when you still want to wear your hiking sandals, you can be a total dork (like me) and wear your hiking socks with your sandals.

I’ve tried pairs from Bombas and Smartwool and I love them both!

There are so many things to do in Olympic National Park– make sure your shoes aren’t going to keep you from exploring.

5. Lightweight clothing and Layers

The summer months in Olympic National Park can be warm, so be sure to pack lightweight clothing such as shorts, t-shirts, and breathable hiking pants. But, the evenings can be cool so it’s a good idea to pack a light jacket or sweater for cooler evenings.

6. Sun Protection

The sun can be strong in the summer and the best parts of Olympic National Park are outside! Pack sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses to protect yourself from UV rays.

My Tom’s Traveler Collection sunglasses are my favorites! They are bendy so they’re less likely to break when you’re packing them around.

7. Insect Repellent

Mosquitoes and other insects can be prevalent in certain areas of the park, so it’s a good idea to bring insect repellent to avoid getting bitten.

If you can’t fit it in your luggage with the TSA liquid requirements you can always pick some up in Seattle.

8. Water Bottle

Staying hydrated is important, so bring a refillable water bottle to use during your hikes and other activities.

I love my swell bottle but a Nalgene is my go-to for hiking trips!

9. Daypack

You’ll want a small daypack to carry snacks, water, and other essentials while you’re out exploring. The Osprey Daylight is a great pack. It has a water bladder slot if that’s your style.

Be sure to select a bag that works for you. It should hold all of the things you want to bring with you but still fit comfortably. There are sometimes men’s and women’s options and there really is a difference in how they feel.

10. First Aid Kit

It’s always a good idea to have a basic first aid kit with you like the options from Welly. You don’t want anything too bulky or heavy but it’s always nice to have a band-aid and some basics when you’re hiking and road-tripping. I love their little metal tins. You can refill with your own stuff as you need to.

11. Binoculars

I can’t tell you how many trips it has taken me to learn the lesson that binoculars are always worth it in national parks.

They are always worth it!

It’s so sad to spot wildlife and not be able to see it. It’s also worth taking the time to understand how your binoculars work so you can spot and focus quickly.

If you’re to binoculars head to an outdoors store and look there. The staff will be able to help you learn a bit about binoculars so you can make a good decision.

12. Dry Shampoo & Baby Wipes

Many of the campsites in the park don’t have showers. So, if you are camping bring dry shampoo and some baby wipes to ensure you don’t feel dirty and gross after 2 days of exploring.

My go-to dry shampoo is from Lush. Not an affiliate. I just love it and it isn’t an aerosol so travel is easy!

13. Camera

Olympic National Park is incredibly beautiful. I love my phone camera for hikes and simple things but my Nikon Z5 is my go-to camera when I really want epic pictures. I love that this Nikon is water-sealed. So, even if it starts raining while I’m hiking I don’t have to panic. Since it’s rainy in the PNW it’s a nice feature.

14. Rain Jacket

Even in the summer, rain is common in the Pacific Northwest. I was very lucky during my June/July trip and didn’t get rained on. But, take a rain jacket. With any luck you won’t need to use it. But, I’ve found rain jackets work quite well as windbreakers too. So, it can pull double duty.

I have an Eddie Bauer Rainfoil Jacket that packs down pretty small. I have the bright yellow one and I love it.

15. Your Food and Snacks

Most of Olympic National Park is pretty remote. When you’re in the park you’ll want to make sure you have snacks and food for your trip.

Port Angeles and Forks are near-ish and are good places to stock up if you need to.

If you need camping gear and you don’t want to bring it with you check out REI. You can rent most of what you’d need from them. Including coolers and camp stoves!

16. A Plan for Camping & Hiking

This isn’t technically something you’re going to pack for Olympic National Park.

But, it’s a big park. It would be easy to lose track of time and not see everything. Plus, you can only reserve sites early at a few of the campgrounds. So, have a plan a year to 6 months in advance to get your campground reserved.

Otherwise, you’ll need to work time in to get a campsite reserved at one of the first come first served sites. You can view the status of and details about all of the campgrounds here.

If you aren’t a camper, you’ll still want to plan your trip 6 months to a year in advance. There are few lodges and hotels near Lake Crescent or in Forks. Plan ahead so you can get what you want.

I risked and did okay. We did have one close call one night and almost had to drive several hours to find a place to sleep. Luckily, the camp manager took pity on us and we were saved!

If you’re camping make sure you have your bear box situation under control./

17. Washable Underwear

One of my all-time favorite items for travel, and especially campervan travel, is my ExOfficio underwear. They wash easily in the sink and dry quickly. It’s so much easier than trying to pack enough clean underwear.

18. Sunglasses

I’m in love with my Tom’s Traveler Sunglasses. They are constructed in a way that makes them difficult to break when they are bouncing around in your pack. I’m still gentle on them. But, when I’m hiking and moving around from place to place, it’s nice that I don’t have to worry about them.

19. Ziploc Bags

This may seem like an odd thing to have on a packing list for Olympic National Park. But, you never know when you can use a plastic bag! They’re great for keeping things organized, for keeping things dry in the rain, or for storing extra food.

I don’t have a lot of specific uses in mind but I know I can always use a plastic bag.

Rent Gear for Camping

If you’re planning to camp but you don’t want to pack everything with you, check out the Seattle REI. They’ll rent you the gear you need!

This is also a great option if you’re driving around the park but want to have some flexibility with your food. Rent a cooler and a camp stove with some cooking utensils and you’ll be set!

Enjoy Olympic National Park and the PNW

Olympic National Park is a gem in the national park system. Enjoy seeing all of the different ecosystems in one area!

If I missed anything on my packing list let me know! And, let me know how your trip goes! I love hearing about travel!