Mild winters, fair summers, beautiful year-round.

In general, Olympic National Park summers are pleasant and temperate, and winters are mild and rainy (with snow in mountainous areas). Due to the Olympic Peninsula's mountains, marine influence and geographic diversity, weather can vary quite a bit from place to place. Layered clothing and rain gear are always recommended, as well as appropriate gear for winter visits.

Sol Duc Hot Springs is in the mountains, so be prepared for cool temperatures and rain year-round. In the summer, highs can reach from the 70's to the 80's, but temperatures are often dramatically cooler at night. Though summer is the drier season, rain can happen any time of year. Snow is most likely to fall from December through March.

Winter temperatures vary depending on location. In the Park's lower elevations, temperatures average in the 30's and 40's. At higher elevations, weather is more extreme and snowfall is heavier. Near the coast, winter precipitation normally occurs in the form of rainfall. Some of the Park's roads and services may be subject to seasonal closures. For recorded information regarding weather and road conditions in Olympic National Park call 360.565.3131.

For a local forecast - click here.

What to Bring

Pack for cool nights, possible rain and fun by the pool!

Packing for a trip to Sol Duc is easy if you keep a few things in mind: You'll be in the mountains, so you may encounter all sorts of weather conditions any time of year. And rain is likely, though the summer months are normally driest. Here are a few suggested items to pack:

• Swimsuit, pool shoes and any other swim gear you use. (Pool towels are available at the Pool Booth; some guests prefer their own.)
• Shorts and warm weather tops in summer months.
• Long pants, long sleeved top and jacket. (Temperatures fall in the evenings, even in the summer.)
• Rain jacket and other rain gear.
• Comfortable hiking shoes or boots and socks.
• Sun protection (hat, sun block, sun glasses).
• If you plan on hiking: Bring your backpack/daypack, water bottle and whatever else you'd normally take on a hike.
• Camera to capture the indescribable views.
• Binoculars (good to have for watching birds/wildlife).
• Books, puzzles or other activities you would enjoy during 'quiet time' by the pool or in your cabin.

In general, pack casual, comfortable clothing you can layer. Nights are nearly always cool, even when days are warm!

Olympic National Park fun facts

• In some areas, annual rainfall averages over 12 feet.
• In the Park you'll find the largest surviving old-growth forest in the Pacific Northwest.
• Some of the trees in the Park's ancient forests are over 1,000 years old.
• Much of the Park's rugged landscape has been shaped by glaciers; roughly 60 remain at its highest elevations.
• The Park contains the largest section of wilderness coast in the lower 48 states (over 60 miles).
• 95% of the Park's nearly one million acres is designated as wilderness, which further protects its diverse ecosystems.
• Long isolated by glacial ice, and later by the Puget Sound and the Strait of Juan de Fuca, the Olympic Peninsula is home to several species of plants and animals (like the Olympic Marmot) that can be found nowhere else on Earth.

From hiking to camping, kayaking to cross country skiing, there are countless ways to experience this national treasure. To learn more, visit Olympic National Park or call 360.565.3130 for recorded information.