Experience the backcountry of Olympic National Park!

About our Backpacking Trips

Olympic Hiking Co. leads guided backpacking trips in both Olympic and North Cascades national parks. With our own gear inventory of backpacks, tents, sleeping bags, and beyond, we are able to provide a fully-outfitted backpacking trip with top-rated gear. Whether you are a first-time backpacker or a seasoned backcountry enthusiast, our team can create a personalized itinerary suited to your goals and experience level. You can join a small group backpacking trip by booking online (see below) or request your own private backpacking trip, which is ideal for groups of 4 or more due to our minimum price to operate a trip.

 

Cost Per Hiker Day Rate

Our cost per hiker day rate includes all backcountry gear, meals, permits, and commercially authorized guide.

  • 5 Days, 4 Nights: $400 per hiker each day

  • 4 Days, 3 Nights: $450 per hiker each day

  • 3 Days, 2 Nights: $500 per hiker each day

    • Plus 3% online booking fee

Group Size

We can accommodate any group size up to 10 hikers, however, we have a 4-hiker minimum price to operate.

2025 Group Backpacking Trips

Summary

Our small group backpacking trips are the perfect way to experience the top backcountry destinations in both Olympic and North Cascades national parks. With our advanced permit registration, we handpicked the exact dates, routes, and time of year to visit our favorite locations. In Olympic, the eco-diversity is truly remarkable. Our trips feature the 73-mile wilderness coast, temperate rain forest, glacier-fed river valleys, and subalpine meadows. In North Cascades, we’ve carefully organized routes to savor incredible mountain vistas, subalpine lakes, and a world-class trekking routes, including the Pacific Crest Trail.

3-Step Reservation Process

  1. Select your trip: From our 2025 trip calendar, select the backpacking trip that works best for your schedule, backpacking goals, and activity level (i.e. 1 - easy, 5 - very strenuous). Email our Operations Team if you have any questions!

  2. Pay deposit: Select the departure date of the trip you want to join and submit 1-day deposit to secure your reservation.

  3. 60-day confirmation: Once we are 60 days away from our trip departure date, our Operations Team will process payment for the remaining balance and full duration of the trip using the credit card on file.

  • Trip Details:

    • Price: $450 per hiker per day or $1,800 total per person

    • Trip Duration: 4 days, 3 nights in Olympic National Park

    • Mileage: 2-4 miles of day hiking, then 15.4 mile backpacking route.

    • Elevation gain/loss: +1,105 feet / -1,123 feet

    • Activity Rating (1-5): 2 - Moderate due to 16 miles on frequent uneven terrain.

    Trip Summary:

    Do you want to elevate your camping and backpacking meals? This culinary-focused backpacking trip with Chef Corso is the perfect way to experience some of the top destinations of Olympic National Park, while becoming more confident with your own backcountry kitchen! This is a super fun hybrid itinerary! Following a mid-day arrival to our tour office in Port Angeles and packing session, our group will explore Olympic’s top three waterfalls then set up camp along the Sol Duc River on a private group site. The following morning, we’ll take off for our 3 day, 2 night backpacking route from Shi Shi to Ozette along the Olympic Wilderness Coast.

  • Trip Details:

    • Price: $450 per hiker per day or $1,800 total per person

    • Trip Duration: 4 days, 3 nights in Olympic National Park

    • Mileage: 25.8 miles (total out/back)

    • Elevation gain/loss: +3,911 feet / -3,911 feet

    • Activity Rating (1-5): 2 - Moderate due to 25+ miles of backpacking and decent elevation gain or loss.

    Trip Summary:

    The Quinault Rain Forest is one of the true hidden backcountry gems of Olympic National Park. Our group will enjoy trekking on the East Fork Quinault River Trail hiking through beautiful rain forest terrain alongside the glacier-fed Quinault River. A true bucket list of this out/back route will be the one night of wilderness camping within the Enchanted Valley. A sunset and sunrise in that valley will certainly give our group insight into the inspiration for its name. For those looking for some extra mileage, we will offer a sunrise day-hike toward Anderson Pass to enjoy more elevated vistas of the valley itself.

  • Trip Details:

    • Price: $450 per hiker per day or $1,800 total per person

    • Trip Duration: 4 days, 3 nights in North Cascades National Park

    • Mileage: 28.05 miles (plus optional day hiking of 6 miles)

    • Elevation gain/loss: +4,566’ / -5,453’

    • Activity Rating (1-5): 3 - Challenging due to 28+ miles of backpacking and a good amount of elevation gain and loss.

    Trip Summary:

    Start your trek with a gradual descent along the world renowned Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), which will lead us into the interior of the park and dense forests. Enjoy vistas of mountains, lakes, rivers, and streams on Day 1 and Day 2. On Day 3, we will make the rewarding, but challenging ascent up to Cascade Pass with an optional day-hike to the Sahale Glacier after setting up camp. Our exit day will showcase the best views of Cascade Pass, which are some of the best sweeping views in the Pacific Northwest.

  • Trip Details:

    • Price: $450 per hiker per day or $1,800 total per person

    • Trip Duration: 4 days, 3 nights in North Cascades National Park

    • Mileage: 29.5 miles

    • Elevation gain/loss: +6,849 feet / -6,849 feet

    • Activity Rating (1-5): 4 - Strenuous due to 29+ miles of backpacking and consistent of elevation gain and loss.

    Trip Summary:

    This loop samples a little bit of everything the flora and fauna offer in the North Cascades. Starting from Bridge Creek Trail (Hwy 20), you will hike through large trees until you climb to the shores of McAlester Lake. Continue through the subalpine meadow and forest of mountain hemlock and larches before descending down McAlester Pass to the Rainbow Creek Trail. After traversing the forest floor you will climb back up to Rainbow Lake for another vista between Bowan and McGregor Mountains. Finally, you will go back to Bridge Creek Trail and intersect with the historic Pacific Crest Trail, retracing your steps back to your vehicle. This is one of the hardier backpacking trips we offer, so get ready to sweat!

  • Trip Details:

    • Price: $400 per hiker per day or $2,000 total per person

    • Trip Duration: 5 days, 4 nights in Olympic National Park

    • Mileage: 35.4 miles (total out/back)

    • Elevation gain/loss: +5,390 feet / -5,390 feet

    • Activity Rating (1-5): 4 - Strenuous due to 35+ miles of backpacking, 5 days of trekking, and steep elevation gain or loss at the end of the one-way trail.

    Trip Summary:

    The backpacking trek to Blue Glacier is on the bucket list for many locals of the Olympic Peninsula and avid backpackers. And for good reason! The out/back trip along the Hoh River Trail showcases the stunning old-growth temperate rain forest of the Hoh River Valley for the first 10 miles, while the remaining 7 miles climb up into the subalpine, eventually reaching the base camp of Mount Olympus. Sitting at 7,980 feet, Mount Olympus is Olympic National Park’s tallest mountain and Blue Glacier as its largest glacier. While this trip doesn’t include trekking onto the glacier, it does provide one of the best viewpoints in the park from the glacier moraine overlook. After a steep decline back down into the river valley, a gentle grade for the final 10 miles helps smooth those aching joints to complete a 5 day, 4 night adventure.

  • Trip Details:

    • Price: $450 per hiker per day or $1,800 total per person

    • Trip Duration: 4 days, 3 nights in Olympic National Park

    • Mileage: 26.2 miles (total out/back)

    • Elevation gain/loss: +5,223 feet / -6,540 feet

    • Activity Rating (1-5): 3 - Challenging due to 26+ miles of backpacking and sharp elevation gain and loss.

    Trip Summary:

    The 26-mile through-hike from the Sol Duc into the Hoh Rain Forest, features some of the most sought-after interior views and solitude within Olympic National Park. Starting from the Sol Duc Trailhead, our group will begin the backpacking journey with a quick hike to Sol Duc Falls, then begin logging some mileage along the Sol Duc River. The second day is one of the trip highlights, as the group will ascend up into the Seven Lakes Basin and along the High Divide, before descending back down toward the Hoh River Valley. The day three descent into the Hoh River Valley will be hard on those knees, but the ice-cold, glacier-fed Hoh River will be the perfect ice bath for the final night of camping. A well-paced, flat, exit day hike will showcase the old-growth temperate rain forest of the Hoh River Trail.

  • Trip Details:

    • Price: $400 per hiker per day or $2,000 total per person

    • Trip Duration: 5 days, 4 nights in Olympic National Park

    • Mileage: 36.9 miles

    • Elevation gain/loss: +6,841 feet /-5,902 feet

    • Activity Rating (1-5): 4 - Strenuous due to 37+ miles of backpacking, 5 days of trekking, and consistent elevation gain and loss.

    Trip Summary:

    Trek across the heart of the North Cascades on this historic through-hike adventure. The trail begins at the end of Cascade River Road surrounded by high peaks and waterfalls. The elevation gain begins immediately via the steady grade of the well used switchback trail. But the rough start is well worth the stunning vistas atop the culturally historic Cascade Pass. After cresting the Pass you will have your first side-quest option to Sahale Glacier. Beyond the pass you will descend the eastern side into the valley following the origin of the Stehekin River. Continuing downhill to the bottom of the valley, you will walk along the river surrounded by peaks and huckleberries in the Stephen Mather Wilderness. After our second night of camp, enjoy a reprieve from heavy backpacks and enjoy a day-hiking adventure into the remote village of Stehekin at the north end of Lake Chelan. The backpacking trek will continue along the Pacific Crest Trail, hiking along Bridge Creek. Savor the forest and the wilderness before reentering civilization at Highway 20.

Group Size

We can accommodate any group size up to 10 hikers, however, we have a 4-hiker minimum price to operate.

Age Requirements

Due to the more rugged nature of backpacking trips (mileage, pack weight, and terrain), we require participants to be Age 18 or older. For families with children under Age 18, we recommend our private backpacking trips to customize an experience suited to your family’s goals, and experience level.

Cancellation Policy

Refunds are issued based on the amount of notice provided by the client prior to the trip departure date.

  • 60 days or more: 90% refund

  • 30 days or more: 50% refund

  • Less than 30 days: 0% refund

Private Backpacking Trips

Summary

If our 2025 group trips don’t align with your schedule or you are seeking a more private and personalized experience, our team would be thrilled to customize a private guided backpacking trip for your group. We have organized custom backpacking itineraries for groups of families, friends, universities, and non-profit organizations over the years. This is an ideal option for groups of 4 or more!

Group Size

We can accommodate any group size up to 10 hikers, however, we have a 4-hiker minimum price to operate.

Follow our 4-Step Reservation Process

  1. Submit Request: Select departure date, group size, trip duration, and if you have a trail or destination in mind.

  2. Trip Planning: Our Operations Team will contact you to review your itinerary request.

  3. Pay Deposit: To finalize the reservation, hikers will submit a one-day deposit to lock-in dates.

  4. Book permits: After we receive the deposit, our team will book the required permits to finalize the route.

Click here to start a backpacking trip request!

Blue Glacier

5 Days, 4 Nights | 40 miles (out/back)

The backpacking trip to Blue Glacier is one of the iconic routes of Olympic National Park and the most direct route to Mount Olympus. Utilizing the Hoh River Trail, this route transitions from lush temperate rain forest terrain (800 ft) to subalpine vistas of the Olympic Mountains from the glacier morraine.

The High Divide

4 Days, 3 Nights | 26 miles (through-hike)

The through-hike route from the Sol Duc into the Hoh Rain Forest features some of the most sought-after interior views and solitude within Olympic National Park. Starting from the Sol Duc Trailhead, our group will trek along the Sol Duc River, ascend up to the High Divide with views of the Seven Lakes Basin, and descend back down into the Hoh River valley.

Olympic Wilderness Coast

3 Days, 2 Nights | 20 miles (through-hike)

The 73-mile Olympic Wilderness Coast provides some of the most unique backpacking routes within Olympic National Park. With our shuttle service, you can choose from any of the three sections: 1) Oil City to Third Beach, 2) Rialto to Ozette, or 3) Ozette to Shi Shi. Each of the routes are 15-20 miles and can be hiked in any direction (north or south).

Customize your route!

As a commercially authorized tour company since 2016, our team is very experienced with nearly every trail network within Olympic National Park’s backcountry. From short hidden-gem hikes to the most remote park-wide traverses, our backpacking team has the expertise, medical training, and skillset to lead a “bucket list” route. With over 611 miles of trails in ONP and endless interconnections of regions and ecosystems, there are incredible opportunities to dive deep into very special wilderness areas.

A to Z outfitting with professional guides

With our own gear inventory of backpacks, tents, sleeping bags, and more, we are able to provide a fully-outfitted backpacking trip with high quality gear. Most importantly, our team of backcountry guides make the on-trail experience more enjoyable, educational, and efficient, as we execute our trips with a professional standard for group safety.

Trip Pricing Includes:

  • Backcountry Hiking Guide: Led by a Wilderness First Responder Certified Hiking Guide.

  • Gear & Equipment: 65 liter backpack, backpacking tent, sleeping bag & pad, cooking equipment & fuel, water filter, etc.

  • Backcountry Meals: Breakfasts, lunches, dehydrated dinners, and snacks while hiking in the backcountry.

  • Gear packing session: Our guide will lead a step-by-step gear packing session to ensure all provided gear and meals are appropriately packed.

  • Transportation: Private one-way shuttles into Olympic or North Cascades available upon request.

  • Discounted Lodging Rates: We have partner hotels in Port Angeles for Olympic, plus Mount Vernon, and Bellingham for North Cascades.

  • Commercial Use Authorization: Founded in 2016, Olympic Hiking Co. is a commercially authorized tour company with the national park service and national forest service.

Guest Requirements

  • Must be 18 years of age or older, unless accompanied by a parent/guardian on a private trip

  • Must be able to hike 6-8 miles per day

  • Must be able to carry a 65 liter backpack that typically weighs 30-40 pounds

  • Must be able to provide own hiking attire and hiking boots

Goals for our Trips

  • Backpacking 101. Our goal is to help experienced day hikers confidently step into a new territory of multi-day backpacking trips by allowing clients hands-on experience to practice correctly packing a 65 liter backpack, set up camp, obtain/filter water, prepare dehydrated meals, use the bathroom in the wilderness areas, and to Leave No Trace.

  • Turnkey experience. By providing the gear, equipment, meals, permits, and experienced backcountry guide, you the client simply need the clothes on your back (smart packable layers) and pair of quality hiking boots to join this trip. This allows you to test the backcountry experience without purchasing all of the gear or expedite your learning curve to safely hike multiple days in remote wilderness areas and have FUN doing it.

  • Bucket list route. With our local shuttle service, our Guided Backpacking Trips have a built-in efficiency to open up any point-to-point backpacking routes within Olympic or North Cascades. Our efficient one-way shuttles allow us to spend more time on the trails and less time in vehicles, efficiently hiking from A-to-B in a way that many hikers don’t get to experience. When you combine our shuttle service with over nine years of experience of guiding hikes, our team has deep local knowledge of the park that unlocks some of the most unique routes.