Olympic National Park Wilderness Permit, Olympic National Park - Recreation.gov (2024)

Olympic National Park

Olympic National Park encompasses nearly a million acres, protects a vast wilderness with thousands of years of human history, and several distinctly different ecosystems, including glacier-capped mountains, old-growth temperate rain forests, and over 70 miles of wild coastline.

Notifications and Alerts

• Enchanted Valley and East Fork Quinault Pilot Project

  Beginning on May 15th, 2024, the East Fork Quinault River Trail and Enchanted Valley area will be managed like the Seven Lakes Basin, Grand Valley, Cape Alava, and similar permit areas on a trial basis. For the duration of the trial, which will last up to three years, there will be a maximum of 208 users or 30 permits per night, whichever is reached first. This change will help protect the wilderness experience and natural resources in the picturesque valley. For more information, please contact the Wilderness Information Center at (360) 565 3100 or olym_wic@nps.gov.

• Trail Closures - North Fork, Skyline, and Elwha River Trails

  In the wake of the 2023 Olympic Lightning Fires, backcountry trail and Burned Area Emergency Response crews developed a strategy to reopen damaged trails as safely and quickly as possible. However, the following trail sections will remain closed until trail crews can return to the areas to assess the damage and plan for repairs:

  • Elwha River Trail from the Hayden Pass junction south to the Sixteen Mile camping area on the North Fork Quinault River Trail
  • Skyline Ridge Trail from the junction of the Lake Beauty Camp Trail north and east to the Elwha River Trail near Low Divide

  While these trail closures are in effect, hikers will not be able to complete the Press Route, or exit the Bailey Range from the Elwha Snowfinger. It will also not be possible to complete the Skyline Trail as a loop from Low Divide. For more information, please contact the Wilderness Information Center at (360) 565 3100 or olym_wic@nps.gov.

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Permit & Season Information

A permit is required for all overnight stays in the wilderness year-round. A wilderness permit allows the permit holder and their group to camp in a designated camp area.

• Permits that are listed as Walk-up or "W" on the detailed availability screen are only available by contacting the Wilderness Information Center.
• Once reserved, your permit will be issued by WIC staff 3 days before the start of your trip, you will then be able to log in to your account and print the permit yourself.
• Reservations for the summer season (May 15th through October 15th) become available on April 15th at 10:00 AM EDT / 7:00 AM PDT
• Although the park is open year-round, reservations for high country areas are restricted to a shorter summer season due to snowpack. Contact the Olympic National Park Wilderness Information Center for more information.
• To book a cross country trip (e.g. Bailey Range) or a campsite that is not shown on the Wilderness Trip Planner Map please contact the WIC at (360) 565-3100.

Need to Know

A permit is required for all overnight stays in the wilderness year-round and are available by advanced reservation through Recreation.gov.

• Once reserved, your permit will be issued by WIC staff 3 days before the start of your trip, you will then be able to log in to your account and print the permit yourself.
• Permits that are listed as Walk-up on the detailed availability screen are only available by contacting the Wilderness Information Center.

When planning your trip, keep the following in mind:

• All food, garbage and scented items must be stored in approved bear canisters in the following areas:the Wilderness Coast, in the Royal Basin/Royal Lake area, the Enchanted Valley area, and the Sol Duc River/High Divide Loop area including Mink Lake area, Cat Basin and all other areas in the Main Fork Sol Duc River drainage.
• Bear Canisters are also required in areas where it is not possible to hang food 12 feet high and 10 feet out from the tree trunk such as the Bailey Range and other high elevation areas.
• Permit holders may borrow bear canisters for free at Wilderness Information Centers.
• Pets are prohibited on park trails, meadows, beaches, or in any undeveloped area of the park. Pets in Olympic National Park
• Camping is only permitted in the camp area designated on your permit itinerary.
• The maximum group size is 6-12 depending on camp area, you can check specific location requirements on our Wilderness Trip Planner Map.
• Groups of seven or more camping in the Sol Duc/Seven Lakes Basin, Hoh Lake Trail, Hoh River Valley, Grand Valley, Royal Basin, Flapjack Lakes, Lake Constance and Upper Lena Lake areas must camp in designated group sites.
• Affiliated groups may not combine to form a group of more than 12 people at any time, and must camp and travel at least one mile apart.
• Permit holder must be at least 16 years of age at the time of purchase. Those 15 years old and younger are free butmust be included in the group size.
• Maximum stock is 8; stock are prohibited in some camp areas and on some trails.
• Vehicles, bicycles and other wheeled devicesare not permitted on park trails, meadows, beaches or in any undeveloped area of the park.
• Weapons, other than firearms, are not permitted in Olympic National Park. The discharge of firearms is also prohibited.
• A fishing license is not required for fishing in Olympic National Park.
• If you cannot find a route or campsite, please call one of the Wilderness Information Centers.

Leave No Trace

Please follow all principles of Leave No Trace including: Plan ahead and prepare, travel and camp on durable surfaces, dispose of waste properly, leave what you find, minimize campfire impacts, respect wildlife and be considerate of other visitors.

For more information on planning your adventure in the wilderness of Olympic National Park, visit our Wilderness Trip Planning page.

Fee Policy

Recreation Fee:

• Adults (16 and older) - $8 per person per night

• Youth (15 and under) - free

• Annual Olympic National Park Wilderness Pass – free for pass holder only

Reservation Fee:
A $6.00 non-refundable reservation fee is required for each overnight permit reserved including Annual Olympic National Park Wilderness Pass holders.

Cancellation Policy

Cancellation Policy:

You may cancel your reservation three or more full days before your reservation start date and receive a refund. The $6 reservation fee is non-refundable.Quota from cancelled permits will be immediately released and available on Recreation.gov.

Change Policy:

You may make any change to your permit itinerary if space is available up until the day before your reservation date, and before your permit has been issued at a Wilderness Information Center (additional fees may apply). Once your permit has been issued, you cannot make changes to the permit unless approved by a ranger at a Wilderness Information Center.

Your start date cannot be changed without cancelling your permit and starting over.

Contact Information

Mailing Address

600 East Park Avenue Port Angeles WA 98362

Phone Number

(360) 565-3100

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