Best Winter Hikes In Olympic National Park – Think your favorite Pacific Northwest hiking trail is closed for the season? Think again! Discover some of the best things to do in Washington DC when it’s cold outside!
With a great mix of climates (desert, forest, mountains, etc.), winter in Washington offers many ways to get outdoors. Many hikes in Washington are still open for the winter!
Best Winter Hikes In Olympic National Park
Washington’s winter hiking trails will get you outside in the mountain air in no time. From Washington’s frozen lakes, snow-capped mountains, and barren forests, we’re sharing our favorites here!
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In this post, we’ve shared all the details of our favorite Washington winter hikes from around the state.
From Eastern Washington to the Olympic Peninsula, we’re here to get you through and have your best winter yet.
From extreme risks to hypothermia, there’s a lot to consider and consider before hitting the road. Read our safety tips below to help you prepare for Washington winter travel this season.
Winter hiking trails in Washington require knowledge of water levels to properly prepare for hazards. Avalache.org offers free avalanche training videos and resources on where to go for avalanche training classes.
The Best Winter Hikes In National Parks
If you plan on going on a slope with an angle greater than 35 degrees, take this into account before you go. Is it not good or illegal? Just clear the area and play again!
What if you are the first on the way to a new layer of snow? How do you know where the fear is? One of the best ways to hit the trails in the snow is to download these hiking apps to your phone!
There are many topo apps for phones, but we personally like AllTrails for its “save” feature, Gaia for its online downloadable maps, and Avenza Maps, which uses GPS instead of phone service!
Pack 10 PNW Travel Items for Summer Here, the most important thing is warmth, a blanket! Here are some other important things to consider for your Washington winter trip:
The Best Hikes In Olympic National Park By Region
One of the most important preparations you can make for your Washington winter trip is to read travel articles before you go. You can find these articles on AllTrails and the Washington Trail Association website.
Go to the bottom of the website and read the articles about walkers from the last few days. They’ll tell you what to look for (cold conditions, potholes, flood warnings, etc.) so you can get a good idea of Washington winter travel conditions before you go.
Eastern Washington is a special place to hike in the winter. The snow lasts longer, the air is hot and bitter, and there are plenty of opportunities to experience the music for yourself!
By the way, if you want to stay longer, check out the Eastern Washington road trip. It will take you to some of the best spots (and trails) east of the Cascades!
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This is one of the most popular winter hiking trails in Washington with its adjustable trails and, of course, views of Quartz Mountain.
These trails are also groomed and groomed, which means you must have a Sno Park Pass and a permit for specially groomed trails. A time permit on Washington’s winter trails pays for itself in just two visits to Washington, so they’re worth the investment if you plan to spend a lot of time outdoors!
Start your journey at the green and yellow Selkirk Lodge, then choose your own tour from their easy-to-read map at each stop. Snowboarders and Nordic skiers welcome!
Visiting Palouse Falls State Park in the winter brings you to another frozen waterfall! There isn’t really a designated road to follow, but rather a gravel path that skirts the bay at many angles and below the falls.
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This short trail is best at sunset! Come watch the sunset and sunrise and experience this amazing golden hour.
Legally, however, these social methods are not approved for use by the state. Keep in mind that there is no cell service at your expense at the rescue camp (helicopters are expensive, you know), so really think about the risks you’ll be taking when traveling to the site.
Loose rocks, steep steps and dangerous descents made the lake lifeless until 2015. Know your risks and read our terms and conditions so you know you’re being warned.
The bowl and pitcher’s loop trails at Riverside State Park are loved by Eastern Washington residents and visitors alike! This easy and scenic trail begins on a beautiful suspension bridge built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and weaves through the woods and ends along the Spokane River.
Best Winter Hikes In National Parks
With over 55 miles of easy trails to explore in Riverside State Park, this area is perfect for Washington winter travel in all seasons! Be sure to bring your Washington Discover Pass ($30 annual purchase) to gain access to the entire park!
Sol Duc Falls is one of Washington’s easy winter hikes in Olympic National Park near Port Angeles, Washington. Located in a tropical rain forest, access here is extended after many other routes are closed, but it finally snows after a big storm. (Then you have to wait until spring to ride again!)
For a first time trip to Washington DC, this is the best long distance option for great rewards! After some experience, be sure to come back in the summer to hike the 19 mile High Section/Seven Lakes Basin Loop via the same trail!
A family-friendly trail takes you through the forest, over the Sol Duc River, and finally to a beautiful jetty that divides the falls into three distinct sides. Grab your tripod and try using long exposures to photograph the water for some amazing Pacific Northwest photo opportunities!
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Want to stay longer on the Olympic Peninsula? Consider spending the night at Sol Duc Hot Springs, a wild resort on Sol Duc Road, in the fall (and check their hours!)
Storm King Mountain is a national park winter hiking trail located near Port Angeles, WA on the Olympic Peninsula. It is known for its photogenic mountain peaks above the clouds, with expansive views of Crescent Lake from the front.
Because of the coastal climate, Storm King Mountain Road does not receive much snow in the event of heavy rain. You’ll begin this Washington winter adventure at the famous Storm King Ranger Mountain Range, then continue through lush, green and misty fields surrounded by trees.
After many switchbacks and a ton of high climbs (AKA get ready to wash out!), you can either stop at the “Unreserved Road” sign or you can choose a low-tech climb for the last 5-10 minutes of its completion. . You have to use a rope to climb up. Watch your step slowly on this part of the trail – it can be very slippery.
Ten Perfect Winter Hikes
And as always, never want to cross the road if you feel unsafe. If the cold weather bothers you too much, don’t try and come back again! Alternatively, you can choose to use the Marymere Falls Trail, which is a quick 1.7-mile loop and backtrack on the same trail. This is one of Washington’s easiest and most rewarding winter hikes!
Hurricane Ridge is located on the Olympic Peninsula, south of the city of Port Angeles. Beginners and experts alike will enjoy Washington’s winter hiking trails! On a bluebird day, you can see Olympus in all its glory and possibly across the Salish River to Victoria, British Columbia!
“The Ridge” hike is one of Washington’s most popular winter hikes at the Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center. The thought alone makes it all worthwhile!
It is important to note that access to Hurricane Ridge Washington Winter Tours is only available Friday-Sunday during the winter months from 9:00am to 4:00pm. See more about accessing Hurricane Ridge in the winter here.
Exploring Olympic National Park In Winter: Tips & Things To Do
Winter Driving Tip: Hurricane Ridge gets a lot of snow every winter! Olympic National Park does a great job of maintaining the roads, but be sure to wear snowshoes (really needed here) and watch for road closures in preparation for your winter adventure.
Kalaloch Tree Root Cave (pronounced kuh-LAY-lock) is a phenomenon on the Washington coast where trees take root in rotting holes!
You can reach the Kalaloch Tree (commonly known as the Tree of Life) by parking at the Kalaloch Campground Day Use Area and following a short trail and steps to the ocean.
It is best to arrive at low tide for the easiest access to the plant. You should go for a walk
