8 Secret Lookout Points in Olympic National Park

Olympic National Park holds secret treasures for those willing to venture beyond the crowds. These hidden lookout spots offer breathtaking views of mountains, forests, and coastlines that many visitors never discover.

If you’re looking to experience the true magic of this diverse wilderness without fighting for elbow room, these eight lesser-known vantage points should be on your must-visit list.

1. Hurricane Hill Lesser-Known Viewpoints: Quiet Stops Beyond the Summit

Everyone rushes to Hurricane Hill’s main summit, but few explore the unmarked side paths that lead to equally impressive viewpoints with fraction of the visitors. About three-quarters of a mile before reaching the crowded summit, an inconspicuous trail branches north toward a secluded ridge overlooking the Elwha Valley.

This hidden vantage point provides uninterrupted views of Mount Baker and the San Juan Islands that many photographers consider superior to the main lookout. Wildlife sightings increase dramatically here; black bears forage on huckleberry bushes in late summer, and Roosevelt elk often graze in distant meadows below.

Continue along Hurricane Ridge Road past the visitor center for approximately 1.5 miles to reach the Hurricane Hill trailhead. The side path isn’t marked on official maps, appearing as a faint track roughly 0.8 miles from the trailhead. Bring a compass or GPS as afternoon fog can roll in quickly, obscuring landmarks.

2. Pyramid Peak Lookout: Views Across Lake Crescent

Locals have kept Pyramid Peak Lookout relatively quiet despite its stunning position above the crystalline waters of Lake Crescent. The abandoned fire lookout sits atop a 3,000-foot summit, offering visitors who complete the challenging 7-mile round-trip hike unparalleled views of the lake’s sapphire waters.

Unlike the busy Storm King Trail nearby, this path sees minimal foot traffic. The trail winds through old-growth forest before emerging onto rocky outcrops where eagles often soar at eye level. Summer hikers might stumble upon wild huckleberries; nature’s perfect trail snack.

Begin your journey at the North Shore Road trailhead, roughly 4 miles west of Lake Crescent Lodge. Carry plenty of water as the final mile gains significant elevation. Your reward? A historic lookout structure and views that stretch all the way to Canada on clear days.

3. Obstruction Point: High-Alpine Vistas Near Hurricane Ridge

While tourists flock to Hurricane Ridge, savvy explorers continue eight miles further along a narrow gravel road to reach Obstruction Point. Sitting at 6,150 feet, this alpine wonderland offers unobstructed panoramas that rival any in the park without the crowds that plague more accessible viewpoints.

Wildflower displays here peak in late July, carpeting the open meadows with lupine, paintbrush, and avalanche lilies. Marmots whistle warnings from rocky perches while black-tailed deer graze fearlessly nearby. The Grand Valley stretches below, its contours creating a patchwork of shadow and light.

The road typically opens in July after snow melts and closes with the first autumn snowfall. Consider timing your visit for sunset when alpenglow paints the distant Bailey Range peaks in spectacular pinks and oranges. Bring warm clothing regardless of season; temperatures drop quickly at this elevation.

4. Blue Mountain Overlook: Panoramas from Deer Park Road

Tucked away on the northeastern edge of Olympic National Park, Blue Mountain Overlook rewards adventurous travelers with 360-degree views that few park visitors ever witness. The winding drive up Deer Park Road climbs to nearly 6,000 feet, opening to spectacular vistas of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, Vancouver Island, and the jagged Olympic peaks.

Morning fog often blankets the valleys below, creating an ethereal landscape as mountain tops pierce through the clouds like islands in a white sea. Rangers sometimes refer to this spot as “the photographer’s secret” because of its ideal positioning for both sunrise and sunset shots.

Access requires navigating a narrow, unpaved road that’s typically open only from June through October. Pack layers; even summer days can turn chilly at this elevation; and bring binoculars to spot mountain goats on distant ridges.

5. Kloshe Nanitch Lookout: Overlooking Lake Crescent’s Eastern Shore

“Kloshe Nanitch”; meaning “to keep a good eye” in Chinook jargon; perfectly describes this historic fire lookout’s function. Perched on a ridge above the Sol Duc Valley, this wooden structure dating back to the 1930s offers vigilant hikers sweeping views across multiple ecosystems.

The moderately difficult 3.8-mile trail climbs steadily through second-growth forest before opening dramatically at the ridge. From the lookout platform, visitors can trace the meandering Sol Duc River as it winds toward the Pacific. Mount Olympus dominates the southern horizon, its glaciers gleaming even in late summer.

Find the trailhead along Sol Duc Hot Springs Road, approximately 14 miles from Highway 101. The path receives consistent maintenance but sees surprisingly few visitors. Fall brings spectacular color as vine maples turn crimson against the evergreen backdrop, making September and October particularly magical months to visit.

6. Mount Ellinor Trail Overlook: Sweeping Views of Hood Canal and the Olympics

Though technically just outside park boundaries in Olympic National Forest, Mount Ellinor’s summit viewpoint deserves inclusion for its unmatched perspectives of Olympic National Park’s eastern face. The strenuous 3.2-mile trail rewards hikers with vertigo-inducing views of Lake Cushman, Hood Canal, and Puget Sound.

What separates this lookout from others is its unique position; offering both mountain and water vistas from a single vantage point. Mountain goats frequently traverse the rocky slopes, sometimes passing within yards of hikers. The southeastern aspect provides rare glimpses of Mount Rainier looming on the horizon on clear days.

Access the upper trailhead via Forest Road 2419, typically snow-free from June through October. Start early to avoid afternoon crowds that occasionally appear during peak summer weekends. Winter mountaineers sometimes tackle this route with ice axes and crampons for spectacular snow-covered panoramas.

7. Hoh Rain Forest Canopy Overlooks: Hidden Perspectives Among Giants

The Hoh Rain Forest draws crowds to its Hall of Mosses, but few visitors discover the unofficial canopy viewpoints tucked along the Hoh River Trail. Approximately 2.7 miles from the visitor center, several enormous nurse logs have created natural platforms overlooking the valley floor, offering rare glimpses into the mid-canopy world.

These elevated perches provide unique perspectives of the temperate rainforest few experience; looking down upon layers of vegetation rather than up at towering trees. Sunlight filters through multiple canopy layers, creating ethereal beams that photographers chase after morning rain. Roosevelt elk frequently traverse the river below, unaware they’re being watched from above.

Follow the main Hoh River Trail past the popular loop trails. The first viewpoint appears where the trail curves sharply near a massive fallen Sitka spruce. Visit during weekdays in spring or fall for maximum solitude and atmospheric mist that enhances the primeval feeling of this 12,000-year-old ecosystem.

8. Ozette Triangle Coastal Overlooks: Secluded Views of Pacific Beaches

The Ozette Triangle trail system harbors secret coastal overlooks that few hikers pause to discover. Between Sand Point and Cape Alava, several unmarked paths branch westward from the boardwalk, leading to dramatic clifftop perches above the crashing Pacific.

Unlike the beach-level experience most visitors seek, these elevated positions offer bird’s-eye views of sea stacks, tidal pools, and occasionally migrating gray whales during spring and fall. Ancient Makah petroglyphs are visible on some offshore rocks during exceptionally low tides. The powerful interplay of ocean and forest creates a boundary zone unlike anywhere else in the park.

Begin at the Ozette Ranger Station and follow either the Cape Alava or Sand Point trail. The hidden viewpoints appear approximately halfway between the main beaches. Time your visit for negative low tides to witness the most dramatic rock formations and extensive tide pools. Remember that these unofficial paths require careful navigation and appropriate footwear.