Quench your thirst for a real challenge in the mountains by joining a backpacking trip through the primeval forests of Olympic NP. Several dozen trails meander through the Olympic Mountains, linking rushing rivers, glassy lakes, and thundering waterfalls, all protected by 280-foot trees and their sumptuous canopies. So pick a trail and spend 4 or 5 days backpacking through the park! With the food, equipment and camping covered by your guides, the only thing you’ve got to do is set up your camp under the stars and keep an eye out for the thriving wildlife—such as deer, marmots, or black bears.
Demanding trails that result in sweeping views of ancient forests, lakes, and waterfalls
Discover 1,100 species of plants and millennium-old trees sprinkled throughout nearly a million acres
Spot the roosevelt elk named after Teddy Roosevelt, who established the Olympic NP in 1938
What you get on this adventure:
What’s not included:
Joining backpacking trips in Olympic NP requires excellent physical fitness. Depending on the adventure you choose, you’ll have 3 or 4 hiking days in a row, covering anywhere between 4 and 11 miles daily. Since there are no porters on these trips, you also have to be comfortable carrying a backpack weighing at least 20-25% of your body weight. Keep in mind that weather can vary greatly throughout the park and that it can be unpredictable. Still, summer is the best season for hiking with mostly pleasant, mild temperatures.
If you’d like to explore a larger area, check out this guided hiking tour of Mount Rainier and Olympic National Park.
Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:
Here’s a list of clothing we recommend you bring:
Backpacks, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, trekking poles, camp pillows, bowls, mugs and sporks are all included in the price of the trip. If you have gear that you are comfortable using, it is recommended that you use your own gear.
Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. Plan on additional warm layers for trips in May and late September-October trips, as the weather can fluctuate and may be below freezing at night.
Everything is included in the price of the trip! Backpacks, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, trekking poles, camp pillows, bowls, mugs and sporks—it’s all taken care of, just let us know on time that you need it. Insect repellant, toothpaste tablets, biodegradable soap, hand sanitizer, sunscreen, and toilet paper are also included in the price of the trip.
If you have gear that you are comfortable using, it is recommended that you use your own gear. And if you require a unique type of toiletry items, bring only as much as you need for the trip.
Olympic National Park is home to a wide variety of wildlife. Raccoons, beaver, and mink live mostly in the lowlands, while deer, elk, cougars, and bears are to be found in valleys and mountain meadows. Despite their abundance, viewing wildlife is often a matter of luck and diligence.
Keep in mind that you’re a guest in the animals’ natural habitat, meaning that you must follow a set of rules—one of the Leave No Trace principles. You should observe wildlife from a distance, never feed them, never chase them, or disturb them for a better photo. As long as you respect them, no problems should arise. Carrying bear spray is not advised in Olympic NP—instead of it, make sure that you never leave food unattended and use a bear can if necessary.
Regardless of the local laws and policies, Lasting Adventures DOES NOT ALLOW FIREARMS on any of their trips. Participants who bring firearms will not be allowed to participate while in possession of their firearm.
You can expect excellent food throughout your backpacking trip in Olympic NP! Typical breakfasts might include burritos, oatmeals, pancakes, dried fruit, bagels, etc. For dinner, your guides will prepare a variety of pastas, risottos, beans, couscous, meats, vegetables, etc. Lunch will consist of trail food with fruits, vegetables, pita, bagels, salami, cheeses, hummus, trail mix, energy bars, etc.
All special dietary requests (vegan, keto, gluten-free, vegetarian—you name it) can be easily accommodated, just let your guides know in advance!
Group sizes and prices:
Min. age requirements:
If your group has hikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
A 50% deposit to secure your place is due upon booking. The remaining amount is paid 1 month (30 days) prior to departure. If booking 45 or less days before departure, full amount is required upon booking. Once the trip is confirmed by the guide, the cancellation policy stated below applies.
Depending on the tour you choose, the meeting point is either the Hoh Rainforest Visitor Center or Sol Duc Campground within Olympic National Park. To get there, the nearest airport is Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA). From there, renting a car is the easiest option to reach the meeting point and it will take you around 4 hours.
Regardless of which adventure you choose, you’ll meet your guide at the given point at 4 pm on Day 1.
57hours is committed to providing safe outdoor adventure experiences. We require all guides using our platform to have a COVID-19 safety plan and to make the details of that plan accessible to travelers. In most cases, group sizes will be reduced, guides will avoid overcrowded locations, and other safety measures will be met depending on the location and activity.
We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, their guides, and the communities they’re traveling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in Olympic NP, Washington, please refer to Washington’s COVID-19 travel status.
Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information
