Complete Guide to Mount Storm King Hike – Olympic National Park
If you’re heading to Olympic National Park, you won’t want to miss the Mount Storm King hike!
I’ve lived in Washington for 25+ years and have always seen photos of this hike, but I only recently made time for it. I love the coast and exploring my own state, and even though I’ve driven through this area countless times, I never stopped until recently. And I’m sure happy I did!
The views at the hike’s summit are unreal. The blue glimmering water of Lake Crescent is an epic backdrop with mountains surrounding the area. What more could you want?
This hike is unique for its mix of views, ropes, location, and nearby waterfalls. And yes, the ropes give this hike a little “spice”—we’ll get to that soon.
Why You Should Trust Me:
Just a quick note as I share this honest review of the Mount Storm King hike—I’m in pretty good shape and spend a lot of time backpacking, hiking, and training for the trails.
Personally, I’d rate this as a moderate hike. It’s definitely steep and the rope section adds a bit of a challenge, but overall it felt manageable.
I mention this because I always find it helpful to know a reviewer’s fitness level when planning my own hikes—hopefully it helps you too!
A Guide to Mount Storm King Hike (By a Local)
I’m incredibly thankful I went on a sunny day in June. The weather can be a bit temperamental that time of the year, but the clouds opened up, and it turned into a beautiful sunset hike.
Before I go on any hike, whether in Washington or other locations, I check out AllTrails. Many people leave reviews of trails and it is a nice way to catch a glimpse of what people are saying about the state of the trail recently.
Note: Take what people say what a grain of salt, everyone is different and has different viewpoints. Also, the distance on AllTrails isn’t always correct. I’ve learned that the hard way…multiple times.
This guide covers everything you need to know about the hike. We’ll cover the trail stats, how to get there, the ascent/descent, the summit, what to wear, and more.
Trail Description:
- Location: Port Angeles (near Olympic National Park)
- Distance: 4.5 miles
- Difficulty: Difficult
- Elevation: 2,106 feet (short but steep)
- Best Season: May through October
Parking at the Trailhead:
Parking is available near the Storm King Ranger Station on Lake Crescent. I didn’t have any problems finding parking, but I went on a weekday, which helped with the crowds.
For those who are visiting during the summer or on a weekend, I recommend getting there early or late in the evening. If you plan to do a sunrise or sunset hike, don’t forget a headlamp!
Please remember to follow the leave no trace guidelines.
The Ascent:
This was a hike that I had planned to do during the middle of summer when the weather was more promising, but I’m happy I went when I did.
When you start on the trail, you will follow the Marymere Falls trail for about a half-mile. There will be a split in the trail where you can either go right towards the falls or stay left to continue towards Mount Storm King.
Now, you might think that this trail is a lot easier because it starts fairly flat and on pavement. Don’t be fooled, it quickly turns into a dirt trail that will start the climb up the mountain.
The trail for the next 2.5 miles will gain around 2,000 ft, this is a great glute and calf burner. 😜 What helps make this part of the trail more bearable is multiple viewpoints where you catch glimpses of what you will be able to view from the summit. This is a little morale boost and makes the grind worth it.
The Famous Ropes Section:
The Mount Storm King trail is recommended for those who have some experience hiking, and this is the section why.
At the 2.5 mile mark up the trail, keep an eye out for a sign that states “end of maintained trail”. If you’re afraid of heights or nervous about the ropes section, this is a great stopping point with stellar views of the mountains and lake.
For those who want to continue the climb, the rope section can be a bit dangerous. However, this was my favorite part of the hike. I love a little thrill, which makes these types of trails unique and fun. I didn’t think they were as taunting as I read about.
There are six rope sections along the climb and this part of the trail has loose/dusty terrain. I wore these hiking boots with solid traction, which made a big difference for staying steady on the way up. You may want to wear gloves in this section to help grip the ropes.
Mount Storm King Trail Summit:
After the technical portion of the hike, you will be at the summit, and the views are 10/10.
When you reach the summit of the Mount Storm King hike, you will be able to see almost all of Lake Crescent. Not to mention, on clear days, you can see the San Juan Islands, the northern Olympic Mountains, and Vancouver Island. This has been one of my favorite views from a hike in Washington.
In my opinion, even on a cloudy day, this hike is worth it. On the day I hiked, the morning was a bit cloudy, but I still wanted to see if this hike was worth the hype. As the day went on, the clouds slowly started to open up more. By the time I was at the summit, the sun had begun to set and sparkle on the water.
The Descent:
This is a popular trail, and the rope sections can get backed up when it’s crowded. Be respectful—if someone’s already on a rope, wait until they’ve finished before starting your climb or descent.
If you’re up for a bit more adventure, head to Marymere Falls after reaching the summit of Mount Storm King. Remember that “Y” in the trail where I mentioned staying left? This time, go right, and you’ll reach the lower viewpoint of the falls.
How to Get to Mount Storm King:
There are a few different ways to get to the Mount Storm King hike. If you prefer to take one of Washington’s ferries, there are two different ferry terminals to depart from. Otherwise you can drive south and loop around. Let’s talk about these routes a bit more:
🚗 Option 1: Seattle to Bainbridge Ferry
- Route: Seattle → Bainbridge Ferry → WA-305 → WA-3 → WA-104 → US-101 North
- Time: ~3 hours (including ferry)
- Tip: Check the WSF ferry schedule for timing/costs.
🚗 Option 2: Edmonds to Kingston Ferry
- Route: Edmonds → Kingston Ferry → WA-104 → US-101 North
- Time: ~3 hours (including ferry)
- Best for: North Seattle or Everett area departures
🚗 Option 3: Drive Around (No Ferry)
- Route: Seattle → I-5 South → WA-16 → WA-3 → WA-104 → US-101 North
- Time: ~3 to 3.5 hours (traffic depending)
- Best for: Avoiding ferry wait times or schedules
My Favorite Travel Resources
– Best Hotel Rates: Booking.com
– Best Rental Cars: Rentalcars.com
– Best Tour Services: Viator
Nearby Places to Stay:
📍Treehouse on the Water (Port Angeles) – Eagle’s Nest
📍Crescent Beach & RV Park (pictured below)
Mount Storm King Tips & Safety:
✅ Best time of year to hike: May through October
✅ Best time of day to hike: Sunrise or Sunset
✅ Weather: I’d avoid hiking this trail in the rain, snow, or on a windy day
✅ Safety: Know your limits and be aware of the steep areas. I always pack a ultralight first aid kit with me, just in case.
What to Wear Hiking in Washington:
Clothing:
- Boots: KEEN Mid Height Hiking Boot
- Fleece: Squak Mountain Fleece
- Rain Jacket: REI Rain Jacket
- Insulated Jacket: MARMOT Insulated & Down Jacket
- Sunshirt: REI – UPF 50+ (I keep this sun shirt in my daypack for any summer hike)
- Tank top: lululemon
- Pants: Coalatree
- Shorts: Patagonia (I wear the 5 in. length to prevent chafing)
- Socks: Darn Tough
- Baseball Hat: Falari Baseball Cap
Gear:
- Daypack: Osprey
- Hydration Bladder: CamelBak
- Trekking Poles: Black Diamond
👉 Related Posts:
15 Early Season Backpacking Trips in Washington (By a Local)
Best Fall Hikes in Washington | 11 Recommendations
Conclusion: Mount Storm King Hike
After years of hiking all over Washington, Mount Storm King still caught me off guard, in the best way. There is a magical feeling standing on the summit of the mountain and looking out at the misty coastline, mountains, and the unreal stretch of Lake Crescent shimmering below.
This is a rewarding trail where the effort, the ropes, and the slippery scramble all fades, the second you take in that view. I’ts a little piece of magic tucked into the Olympics.
Happy Trails,
Mindful PNW Travels
