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. Bear canisters are required for overnight stays anywhere in the Olympic Wilderness. Bear wires and self-constructed bear hangs are not considered appropriate food storage.
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 but must 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 devices are 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.
Camp Observer
