Olympic in April: Crowds, Weather & What to Pack
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April is one of the best months of the year to visit Olympic National Park: crowds run 21% of the August peak (134,215 average visits). Weather: highs average 56°F and lows 39°F, with 12.4″ of precipitation and 13.6 hours of daylight. Computed from NPS and NOAA data.
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Bring for Olympic in April
- Warm mid-layer (fleece or light puffy)See it on AmazonWhy: mornings average 39°F.
- Rain shell + pack coverSee it on AmazonWhy: 12.4″ of precipitation is normal this month.
- Waterproof boots — plus navigation and a basic first-aid kitSee it on AmazonWhy: 12.4″ of rain is normal this month.
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Crowds in April
Olympic averages 134,215 recreation visits in April — 21% of what August, the peak month, draws. Plan lodging and entries with that in mind — crowds are thin by this park's standards.
Weather & daylight
Expect cool days (highs average 56°F), and mornings are chilly (lows average 39°F). This is one of the wetter months (12.4″ of precipitation on average). Mid-month daylight runs 13.6 hours.
NOAA 1991–2020 monthly normals, station QUINAULT 4 NE, WA US (13 mi from park coordinates, 286 ft elevation) — conditions vary inside the park, especially with elevation. Daylight computed for the 15th of April.
What to pack for Olympic in April
Computed from the month's weather normals above — not a generic list.
- Warm mid-layer (fleece or light puffy) — mornings average 39°F
- Rain shell + pack cover — 12.4″ of precipitation is normal this month
- Waterproof boots — plus navigation and a basic first-aid kit — 12.4″ of rain is normal this month
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Also at their best in April
Other parks whose computed April verdict is a best window — same NPS × NOAA formula:
- Theodore Roosevelt in April — 7% of peak crowds, highs 56°F, score 92/100
- Badlands in April — 16% of peak crowds, highs 60°F, score 90/100
- Lake Clark in April — under 1% of peak crowds, highs 46°F, score 89/100
- Voyageurs in April — under 1% of peak crowds, highs 49°F, score 88/100
Common questions
Is Olympic crowded in April?
No — April is one of the quieter months: 21% of the August peak, averaging 134,215 visits (NPS, 2021–2025).
What is the weather like in Olympic in April?
Average highs of 56°F, lows of 39°F, 12.4″ of precipitation (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, QUINAULT 4 NE, WA US station).
What should I pack for Olympic in April?
Warm mid-layer (fleece or light puffy); Rain shell + pack cover; Waterproof boots — plus navigation and a basic first-aid kit — the full weather-computed list is on this page.
See also: the best national parks to visit in April · Last verified 2026-09-24