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How to Book Olympic National Park

How to · Travel

How to Book Olympic National Park

Plan your early September trip to the Pacific Northwest and Olympic National Park without the summer rush.

VoAtlas editorial Updated · 3 min read
Typical cost $1,400 before anything else
Across the 0% window $77.78/mo 18 months, no interest

How we got that: $1,400 spread evenly across the 18-month introductory window on the Citi Simplicity® Credit Card. Checked · at the bank Carry a balance past the window and the standard APR applies to what is left.

Early September is the sweet spot for the Pacific Northwest. The summer crowds have cleared out, the coastal fog usually burns off by afternoon, and you can actually find a spot to park near the Hoh Rain Forest or Hurricane Ridge. Mornings will be crisp, so pack layers, but you get crisp air and golden light over the mountains instead of the July traffic jams.

A typical trip runs about $1400 once you factor in a rental car, gas for the loop, campsites or basic hotels, and gear. Spreading that cost out over time makes it easier to swallow, but you need a solid plan so you are not scrambling when the bills come due.

Remember that the 0% intro window is a hard deadline, not free money. If you still have a balance left when those 18 months are up, interest kicks in on the remaining amount.

The steps

  1. 01

    Pick your dates

    Aim for the second or third week of September. Kids are back in school and the ferries are less crowded. Keep your dates flexible by a day or two to grab cheaper flights into Seattle.

  2. 02

    Lock in your lodging

    Book your spots on the Olympic Peninsula now. You want a mix of a cabin near Lake Crescent and a couple of nights on the coast. Towns like Forks and Port Angeles fill up fast even in the shoulder season.

  3. 03

    Use the Citi Simplicity® Credit Card

    You can use the Citi Simplicity® Credit Card to get 0% for 18 months on purchases and balance transfers from date of account opening. That gives you breathing room to pay for flights and car rentals over time.

  4. 04

    Map the loop

    Don't try to see everything in four days. Give yourself at least six days to drive the full loop around the park without spending your entire vacation behind the wheel.

  5. 05

    Gear up locally

    Rain is always possible in September. Grab a good shell jacket before you go, but save money by buying camp meals and firewood at larger grocery stores in Seattle before you hit the peninsula.

  6. 06

    Check the card terms before you commit

    Every figure we publish for the Citi Simplicity® Credit Card carries the date a person verified it against Citi and a link to where they checked. Intro windows and APRs change without notice, so confirm the current terms before applying.

    See Citi Simplicity® Credit Card terms →

Common questions

How much does a trip to Olympic National Park cost?

A standard six-day trip usually costs around $1400 for one person when you split lodging, car rental, park passes, and food. Solo camping trips cost less, while staying in lodges bumps that number up.

What is the math on spreading out $1400?

If you divide $1400 across the 18-month window, you get $77.78 per month. Setting up an automatic payment for that amount ensures you clear the balance before the promo period ends.

Do I need a rental car for Olympic National Park?

Yes, public transit around the peninsula is extremely limited. You need a car, preferably with decent clearance, to reach trailheads and remote coastal viewpoints.

Is September really better than July?

Without a doubt. The weather is often more stable in September than June, and you will not have to wait hours just to get onto a ferry or into the park visitor centers.