Olympic in July: Crowds, Weather & What to Pack

Peak crowds · VisitWhen score 72/100 · #4 of 12 months

July is peak season — the 2nd-busiest month of the year, at Olympic National Park: crowds run 80% of the August peak (501,508 average visits). Weather: highs average 73°F and lows 51°F, with 2.3″ of precipitation and 15.6 hours of daylight. Computed from NPS and NOAA data.

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Bring for Olympic in July

Packable rain jacketSee it on AmazonWhy: 2.3″ of precipitation is normal this month.
Sturdy, broken-in hiking bootsSee it on AmazonWhy: every park, every month.
Water bottles for the daySee it on AmazonWhy: hydration is one of the NPS Ten Essentials.

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Olympic in July: what the park service says

In July, the easy way up to Olympic's Hurricane Ridge may be the bus: Clallam Transit runs a special summer route between downtown Port Angeles and the ridge, which the park service says is a popular summer destination where planning ahead helps avoid crowds. If you camp, Heart O' the Hills, with 105 sites in old-growth forest, is the closest campground; Port Angeles, 17 miles north, has the lodging.

Source: NPS, checked 2026-11-05.

A herd of elk crossing a river. — Olympic National Park — photo: NPS Photo/Jon Preston (public-domain NPS media)

Crowds in July

Olympic averages 501,508 recreation visits in July — 80% of what August, the peak month, draws. Plan lodging and entries with that in mind — book early and start days at dawn.

Average visits (July)

501,508 (mean 2021–2025, NPS)

Share of the year

16.3% of annual visitation

vs. peak (August)

80%

Weather & daylight

Daytime temperatures are comfortable (highs average 73°F), and nights stay mild (lows average 51°F). Average precipitation is 2.3″ for the month. Mid-month daylight runs 15.6 hours.

NOAA 1991–2020 monthly normals, station QUINAULT 4 NE, WA US (13 mi from park coordinates, 286 ft elevation) — conditions vary inside the park, especially with elevation. Daylight computed for the 15th of July.

What to pack for Olympic in July

Computed from the month's weather normals above — not a generic list.

Packable rain jacket — 2.3″ of precipitation is normal this month
Sturdy broken-in footwear, navigation and a basic first-aid kit — every park, every month

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Looking for a better window? The computed best months for Olympic are April and May.

Common questions

Is Olympic crowded in July?

Yes — July runs 80% of Olympic's peak, averaging 501,508 recreation visits (NPS, 2021–2025). See every month at Olympic.

What is the weather like in Olympic in July?

Average highs of 73°F, lows of 51°F, 2.3″ of precipitation (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, QUINAULT 4 NE, WA US station). Compare it with other national parks in July.

What should I pack for Olympic in July?

Packable rain jacket; Sturdy broken-in footwear, navigation and a basic first-aid kit — the full weather-computed list is on this page. Going in August instead? Olympic in August has its own list.