Olympic National Park Best Photography Spots

The stunning Olympic National Park is the jewel of the Pacific Northwest. Olympic National Park is the only nationally designated wilderness area in the Olympic Peninsula. Wilderness areas are the most pristine, untouched, and natural areas found in our nation’s National Parks. It’s also a great place to get out and enjoy a wide variety of outdoor activities. Take to the trails, test your sea legs on the choppy waters of Puget Sound, or hop on your bike and enjoy the beauty that only Washington can offer. The best time to visit the Olympics is all year long when winter hits you have some fantastic opportunities to hit some of our most rugged areas with snowshoes or cross-country skis; while those warm days of summer offer low crowds and views topped only by the big peaks and taller trees that stand out against their backdrop.

There are few places in the world like Olympic National Park, which encompasses an area that has it all: mountains, glacier-fed lakes, lush rainforests, and beaches where you can bask in the sun. In this article, we’ve listed The Best Photography Spots in Olympic National Park, including photographic tips for each spot and ideas on how to get the most out of your visit.

THE BEST GEAR TO TAKE PICTURES IN OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK

A good camera and the holy trinity are the pieces of gear we recommend. A lens with a comprehensive view. 14-24mm or a similar range. A 24-70mm or equivalent lens and, of course, a 70-200mm or similar lens.

If you don’t have these lenses, don’t worry; something similar will work fine. You should also get a tripod if you want to take great pictures of sunsets at night.

Olympic National Park Best Photography Spots

1. The Hall of Mosses in Hoh Rainforest

The Hall of Mosses is one of the oldest and most colorful parts of Olympic National Park. The floor is covered by a carpet of green moss, creating a habitat for several species of plants, birds, and insects. The trail is approximately 0.25 miles long and it can be challenging for people who don’t want to walk on the slippery rocks. The best time to visit this place is at dawn or just before sunset as lighting conditions are ideal during this time.

2. Temperate Rainforests

The temperate rainforests in Olympic National Park, Washington, are among the most beautiful in the world. Within these forests, you can find old-growth trees hundreds of years old. The park is home to many wildlife species including bears and mountain goats that roam freely throughout the wilderness.

3. Hurricane Ridge

Hiking Hurricane Ridge is one of the most popular hikes in Olympic National Park. The hike begins at the National Park Visitor Center, where you can pick up maps and information about the surrounding area. From there, it’s a steep 1-mile uphill hike to reach the summit at 4,049 ft., where you’ll be rewarded with stunning views of the entire national park. Once you’re done taking in the scenery, turn around and enjoy a leisurely downhill walk back down to the visitor center.

With a treeless mountain ridge surrounded by snow-capped peaks, Hurricane Ridge is a photographer’s paradise. The best time to visit is early in the morning to avoid the crowds and to hike down the paved trail before it gets too hot on top of the ridge.

4. Marymere Falls Trail

Marymere Falls is one of the best photography spots in Olympic National Park. These falls are located just past Elwha River Campground and offer a stunning view of a 40-foot waterfall that drops over a volcanic shelf. The trail is only about a 1-mile round trip but can be challenging at times with several steep sections as you climb up to the falls.

Marymere Falls is one of the few places in Olympic National Park where you can see an entire waterfall from a single viewpoint, so it’s no wonder that this is one of the most photographed spots in the park. The falls drop 30 feet from a sheer rock face, with rainbows refracting off the mist at different times of the year and lighting conditions.

5. Lake Quinault 

One of the best photography spots in Olympic National Park, Lake Quinault is a small and scenic lake in the rainforest. A local landmark and favorite destination for boaters and paddlers, it offers outstanding views of snowy peaks, evergreen trees, and wildflowers. Walk along the sandy shores, go fishing or rent a canoe or kayak at the boat launch area.

Olympic National Park Best Photography Spots

6. Rialto beach

Rialto Beach is one of the best spots for photography and viewing wildlife in Olympic National Park, featuring a rocky beach with tide pools and beautiful views of the Pacific Ocean. The hike to Rialto Beach is 2.2 miles one way, on a well-traveled path that leads past an interpretive display board at the beginning of the trail, and along the Olympic Coast Trail through dense old-growth forest. There are also several picnic tables located near the entrance gate when you reach Rialto Beach. This stunning beach has a trail that leads to the center of it, making it the perfect location for photographers who want to capture the “perfect” shot.

7. Lake Crescent 

Lake Crescent is one of the best photography spots in Olympic National Park. Situated on a peninsula with magnificent views of Mount Storm King, breathtaking vistas are everywhere you look. Tour the lake by kayak and enjoy an afternoon of serene paddling along the turquoise waters surrounding the lake’s two islands.

8. Mount Storm King

Mount Storm King is one of the best places in Olympic National Park for photography. Located near Hurricane Ridge, this peak overlooks Mt. Olympus and the stunning Sunrise Valley. Mount Storm King offers great opportunities to capture landscapes, wildlife, and epic cloudscapes. The summit is accessible by a short 1/2 hour hike across a well-established trail, another reason why this is such a popular spot among photographers. This location is perfect for photographers who love capturing the landscape and all that it has to offer seasonally.

9. Ruby Beach

Ruby Beach is a popular spot for photographers looking to capture the beauty of Olympic National Park. The red-colored sand was formed by a natural scattering of iron oxide, which oxidized and mixed with seawater to create this unique hue. The rugged coastline on this trail is out of a picture book and the sea stacks are its main attraction. After an easy one-mile hike through dense forest, you’ll reach the sun-drenched beach where you can explore tide pools and tidal pools. Bring your camera, as the rocky shores make for some great photo ops!

10. Sol Duc Falls

If you’re an adventurous hiker, this is the place to go. Sol Duc Falls Trail is one of the best photography spots in Olympic National Park. This relatively easy hike takes you to five distinct waterfalls that have churned out of the rainforest for thousands of years. The trail winds through a verdant forest alongside Sol Duc River until it reaches the Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort.

Olympic National Park Best Photography Spots

11. Mt. Angeles

Mt. Angeles is one of the best photography spots in Olympic National Park. This hike not only offers you views of Lake Crescent, Mount Olympus, and Mount Baker but also nice views of the Elwha River Canyon and many interesting waterfalls. If you come during the winter you can cross through the snow-covered forest on your way to the top and enjoy snow powder skiing all the way back down if you’re adventurous enough!

12. Madison Falls

At the base of Madison Falls, this extremely popular viewpoint overlooks a gorgeous waterfall and offers scenery that stretches for miles into the distance. This is one of our favorite photography spots in Olympic National Park, so be sure to capture the scene. The beauty of this waterfall is enough to inspire a hike of the trail leading to it. Madison Falls is a short, but steep hike through stunning scenery that you’re sure to remember long after your adventure. The hike takes you from the trailhead to the tiny cascade and waterfall that gives this trail its name.

13. Cape Flattery

Cape Flattery is one of the best photography spots in Olympic National Park. This rocky peninsula juts 7 miles out into the Pacific, making it the most westerly point of the contiguous United States. You’ll find ancient sea stacks, tidepools, and beaches that disappear in the wintertime, plus a great whale-watching opportunity. There are over 50 miles of trails that curve around and through the beautiful forests and coastal cliffs of this part of the Olympic Peninsula.

14. Shi Shi Beach

Shi Shi Beach is a beautiful and secluded spot in Olympic National Park. Although Olympic National Park is known for its beautiful scenery, Shi Shi Beach is a hidden gem that holds nothing but beauty. With no crowds to rush by you and the sound of waves crashing onto the beach, this place’s natural beauty draws in people all over again and again. The landscape itself is also amazing, rocky trails run along the side of the beach and lead to secret places like caves where ancient relics have been found. It’s difficult to find another beach that can match this for its stunning quality, so feel free to take your time.

15. Mount Ellinor

Mount Ellinor is one of the best photography spots in Olympic National Park. Nestled in a forested glacial valley, with easy access and spectacular views of Lake Quinault, this is a great place to explore and take photos. The easiest way to get there is by driving to the end of Perimeter Road. From there, you’ll want to hike into the wilderness area and uphill on an overgrown trail. This can be done by following signs for several miles or by taking a shorter route closer to the lake’s shoreline.

The Best Photography Spots in Olympic National Park

16. Mount Olympus

Whether you’re an avid hiker or novice sightseer, Olympus is a must-see in Olympic National Park. The park itself covers more than 2 million acres and runs for about 40 miles side by side with the Pacific Ocean. Numerous waterfalls, including Hoh Rain Forest’s towering 300-foot Makah Falls, can be found throughout the park. The tallest waterfall in Washington state 1,250 feet can be seen at Heart Lake. The park has lots of different features to capture, from alpine meadows and open coniferous forests with waterfalls to sheer granite walls rising out of the valleys.

17. Ozette Triangle Loop Trail

The Ozette Triangle Loop Trail is one of the best photography spots in Olympic National Park. The trail follows a beach and sand dunes, with views of a sea stack, surrounding islands, and adjacent forested areas. The trail is also open to equestrians and people with mobility issues. It’s easy to connect with other trails from the Ozette Triangle Loop Trail if you’re up for an adventure exploring more of the park!

18. Elwha River

Situated on the far western end of the Olympic Peninsula, the Elwha River and its surrounding valley are among the most magnificent and remote areas in Washington State. Located at the base of Hurricane Ridge, this area is home to snow-capped peaks, glacial waterfalls, and swift-flowing rivers. The best way to experience this landscape is by hiking one of many trails to view these sights up close. Follow this river as it winds through Olympic National Park, home to some of Washington’s oldest and largest trees.

19. Misty Mountain

Misty Mountain is one of the most incredible photo locations in Olympic National Park. The views are dramatic and beautiful, with mist rising above the mountain through the trees and fog hovering over the rocky beach below. This spot has light changing throughout the day as it shifts from the sun to rain, so be sure to come at different times and bring your camera.

20. Hood Canal

Hood Canal is one of the best photography spots in Olympic National Park. This area has several boat launches and campgrounds, giving you easy water access. The calm waters also make it an excellent spot for kayaking or drift-fishing. It’s a great place for large wildlife, such as orcas and whales, that head into Hood Canal from Puget Sound! The surrounding rainforests have many different trees, so be sure to bring your hiking boots so you can walk through them on the trails near Hood Canal.

THESE ARE THE BEST PHOTOGRAPHY SPOTS IN OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK

Aspiring photographers of Olympic National Park, we hope this guide will serve as a helpful resource in defining new photo trips and locating the most incredible photography places in the park.

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