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#7 on this list
Olympic National Park
Washington
Lowland rainforest at its greenest; beaches clear of storms.
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#8 on this list
Redwood National and State Parks
California
Fog-free mornings and rhododendrons blooming among the giants.
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Specs side by side
| Spec | Olympic National Park | Redwood National and State Parks |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Olympic Peninsula, Washington | Humboldt and Del Norte Counties, California |
| Acreage | 922,650 acres | — |
| May Valley Highs | 55°F to 62°F | — |
| Snowline | Roughly 3,500 to 4,000 feet | — |
| Overnight Permits | Required via Recreation.gov | — |
| Primary Hazards | Tidal traps, hypothermia, cold rivers | — |
| Managing Agencies | — | National Park Service and California State Parks |
| May High Temp | — | 58°F to 64°F |
| Peak Bloom | — | Mid-May to early June |
| Permits | — | Required for Fern Canyon and Gold Bluffs Beach |
| Terrain | — | Coastal rainforest, sea bluffs, alluvial flats |
What our reviewers liked and didn't
Olympic National Park
- Rainforests display peak lushness and vibrant moss growth
- Winter coastal storms subside into manageable weather windows
- Low-elevation river valleys offer 10-plus miles of snow-free trails
- Significantly lower permit competition and trail traffic than midsummer
- High alpine zones and mountain passes are deeply snowbound
- Persistent dampness and rain require uncompromising wet-weather systems
- Coastal headlands present severe entrapment hazards on incoming tides
Redwood National and State Parks
- Peak Pacific rhododendron blooms set against primeval old-growth canopy
- Lighter visitor numbers before the mid-summer coastal surge
- Clearing weather yields occasional crisp ocean views without heavy fog
- Excellent roadside access to world-class ancient groves
- Spring storms can still drop cold rain and saturate footpaths
- Vehicle permits strictly required for high-draw sites like Fern Canyon
- Significant highway driving required to link scattered park units
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