Folks, I'm planning my first ever trip to Olympic National park in May. I've never been there before, so would really appreciate input on the places to shoot as well as times to shoot these places (sunrise/sunset/all day). I have 3 days to spend there, and while I'm aware that I can't cover the whole park, I'd love to get your recommendations.
May is an excellent time to visit the coastal areas and rainforests of Olympic National Park. Ruby Beach, Rialto Beach and Second Beach are photographer favorites and easy to get to. All of these have great sunset potential. Ruby and Rialto can also work on days of thick fog.
If you are a hiker, especially a backpacker, by all means take the trail to Shi Shi Beach and Point of Arches. Camp just above the beach so you can be there at sunset. Tide pools there are also excellent.
Not in ONP, but also worth visiting (and the route to the Shi Shi trail) is Cape Flattery on the Makah Indian Rerservation - the very northwest tip of the peninsula. A very good location for late afternoon and sunset light. It is, however, rather a long drive out to Neah Bay and Cape Flattery (much of it is a slow, winding road).
Most certainly you'll want to visit the Hoh Rainforest, and in May the foliage should be particularly lush. Be prepared for rain (it is a rainforest, after all). I recommend doing the Hall of Mosses Trail earlier in the morning (it can get busy later in the day). Hoh River Trail is great for a longer hike in beautiful old growth forest.
The Lake Quinault Area is another worthwhile destination. The Quinault Nature Trail on the south side of the lake (USFS, not NP), is a short, easy loop through big trees forest. Check the rain gauge on the back porch of Lake Quinault Lodge - it measures in feet, not inches. Good views of the lake from the lodge grounds or further east along the south shore road. Stormy weather, sunrise or sunset, can be great at the lake.
On the north side of the Peninsula, you'll likely want to visit Sol Duc Falls, one of the most photographed locations in ONP (with good reason).
If you only have three days, you might want to save the Hurricane Ridge area for another trip. In July the wildflowers will be out and the roads clear of snow.
With limited time, my recommendation would be to concentrate on Sol Duc Falls, Hoh Rainforest, Second Beach, and Rialto Beach.
Discussion
2 repliesMay is an excellent time to visit the coastal areas and rainforests of Olympic National Park. Ruby Beach, Rialto Beach and Second Beach are photographer favorites and easy to get to. All of these have great sunset potential. Ruby and Rialto can also work on days of thick fog.
If you are a hiker, especially a backpacker, by all means take the trail to Shi Shi Beach and Point of Arches. Camp just above the beach so you can be there at sunset. Tide pools there are also excellent.
Not in ONP, but also worth visiting (and the route to the Shi Shi trail) is Cape Flattery on the Makah Indian Rerservation - the very northwest tip of the peninsula. A very good location for late afternoon and sunset light. It is, however, rather a long drive out to Neah Bay and Cape Flattery (much of it is a slow, winding road).
Most certainly you'll want to visit the Hoh Rainforest, and in May the foliage should be particularly lush. Be prepared for rain (it is a rainforest, after all). I recommend doing the Hall of Mosses Trail earlier in the morning (it can get busy later in the day). Hoh River Trail is great for a longer hike in beautiful old growth forest.
The Lake Quinault Area is another worthwhile destination. The Quinault Nature Trail on the south side of the lake (USFS, not NP), is a short, easy loop through big trees forest. Check the rain gauge on the back porch of Lake Quinault Lodge - it measures in feet, not inches. Good views of the lake from the lodge grounds or further east along the south shore road. Stormy weather, sunrise or sunset, can be great at the lake.
On the north side of the Peninsula, you'll likely want to visit Sol Duc Falls, one of the most photographed locations in ONP (with good reason).
If you only have three days, you might want to save the Hurricane Ridge area for another trip. In July the wildflowers will be out and the roads clear of snow.
With limited time, my recommendation would be to concentrate on Sol Duc Falls, Hoh Rainforest, Second Beach, and Rialto Beach.
Have a great trip!
- Greg
Thanks for the detailed info Greg. Apologies for responding to this so late.