Olympic National Park vs North Cascades: A Comprehensive Comparison for State Park Touring Enthusiasts

Olympic National Park and North Cascades National Park are two of the most stunning natural wonders in the state of Washington. Both offer a unique and diverse range of landscapes, activities, and experiences for state park touring enthusiasts. In this comprehensive comparison, we’ll explore the key differences between these two remarkable national parks to help you make an informed decision on your next adventure.

Landscapes and Ecosystems

Olympic National Park is renowned for its diverse landscapes, including temperate rainforests, rugged mountain ranges, and miles of pristine coastline. Visitors can immerse themselves in the lush Hoh Rainforest, hike to the top of Hurricane Hill, and explore the dramatic sea stacks and beaches along the Pacific Ocean.

North Cascades National Park, on the other hand, is famous for its jagged peaks, alpine lakes, and extensive glaciation. With over 300 glaciers, it is the most heavily glaciated area in the contiguous United States, outside of Alaska. Visitors can marvel at the stunning mountain vistas, hike to turquoise-colored lakes, and witness the power of the region’s numerous waterfalls.

Activities and Experiences

Both Olympic National Park and North Cascades National Park offer a wide range of activities and experiences for visitors. In Olympic, you can hike to the top of Mount Storm King, relax in the Sol Duc Hot Springs, and explore the Hoh Rainforest. North Cascades, on the other hand, is a hiker’s paradise, with trails leading to breathtaking viewpoints, alpine lakes, and opportunities to spot wildlife like mountain goats.

Activity	Olympic National Park	North Cascades National Park
Hiking	Diverse ecosystems, including rainforests and coastline	Challenging mountain trails with stunning vistas
Scenic Drives	Drive to Cape Flattery and explore the Pacific coastline	North Cascades Scenic Highway Drive
Wildlife Viewing	Whales, elk, and other coastal and forest species	Mountain goats and a variety of alpine wildlife
Water Activities	Swim in the Sol Duc Hot Springs, explore beaches	Kayak or canoe on the park’s alpine lakes

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Olympic National Park is from June to September, when the weather is mild and the park is fully accessible. North Cascades National Park, on the other hand, is best visited in the fall when the crowds are smaller and the larches turn a vibrant gold. Summer is also a great time to explore North Cascades, with its blooming wildflowers and turquoise-colored lakes.

Accessibility and Getting There

Olympic National Park is relatively more accessible, with the closest major airport being Sea-Tac, which is a 2-hour drive from the park. North Cascades National Park, however, is more remote, with the closest airports being Sea-Tac to the south and Vancouver to the north, both of which are a 2.5-hour drive from the park.

Fees and Hours

Both Olympic National Park and North Cascades National Park have a $30 per vehicle entrance fee, valid for seven days. Both parks are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with occasional closures due to weather or other factors.

Contact Information

Olympic National Park
– Headquarters: 600 East Park Avenue, Port Angeles, WA 98362
– Phone: (360) 565-3130

North Cascades National Park
– Headquarters: 810 State Route 20, Sedro-Woolley, WA 98284
– Phone: (360) 854-7200

Unique Perspectives

While both parks offer stunning natural beauty, North Cascades National Park is generally considered more challenging to access and requires more planning and preparation than Olympic National Park. However, for those willing to put in the effort, North Cascades offers some of the most breathtaking mountain views and alpine lakes in the country.

Visitation Statistics

In 2021, Olympic National Park had over 3.4 million visitors, making it one of the most popular national parks in the country. North Cascades National Park, on the other hand, had just over 33,000 visitors in the same year, making it one of the least visited national parks in the country.