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The Mount Storm King hike in Olympic National Park is one of the best hikes in Washington state! It’s relatively short but don’t let that deceive you – the constant incline makes this one heck of a workout.
This challenging and unique hike rewards you with a breathtaking view of Lake Crescent that can’t be beat. Here’s everything you need to know before you head out on this trek!
Where is Mount Storm King?
Mount Storm King is a mountain in Olympic National Park, which is on the Olympic Peninsula of Washington State. The trailhead is about 3 hours west of Seattle and a half hour from Port Angeles.
Overview of the Mount Storm King Hike
| Distance | 4 miles |
| Elevation gain | 2065 ft |
| Time | 2.5-3 hours |
| Difficulty | Intermediate/hard |
| Trailhead | 48.0582, -123.7892 |
| Entrance fee | None |
| National Park | Olympic National Park |
| Best time to visit | May to October |
| Bathroom/facilities | At trailhead |
| Dogs allowed | No |
| Good for kids | No |
Local review of the Mount Storm King hike
The first three words that come to mind when I think back on this hike are: incline, breathtaking, and HOT. The relentless incline had our thighs burning and the ropes section made the trail super unique (and kind of sketchy haha). I was honestly pretty nervous about the ropes, but we took it slow and steady and it actually ended up being a pretty fun challenge! It was also insanely muggy and this is probably TMI but we sweat more here than we have on any other hike lately. The trail has a lot of cover but it was still hot hot hot when we went in July.
However, the breathtaking view of Lake Crescent from the top made the heat and the killer incline totally worth it! We loved this hike even more than we expected to. It’s definitely our favorite hike so far in the Olympics and quickly made it’s way onto our list of can’t miss hikes in Washington. That said, I wouldn’t recommend it for kids or anyone with a big fear of heights.
Mount Storm King Trailhead
The Mount Storm King trailhead is at the Storm King Ranger Station. From here you can follow the Marymere Falls Nature Trail signs until the trail forks after about 10 minutes.
Mount Storm King Trail
The trail starts at the Storm King Ranger station. Although there isn’t a trail sign for Mount Storm King here, follow the signs to Marymere Falls Nature Trail.
The first part of the hike goes through this cool tunnel and continues to be flat for about 10 minutes. Enjoy it while it lasts, folks!
After about 10 minutes, the trail forks and you will see a small sign pointing to the Storm King Trail.
This is when the incline begins and it doesn’t let up until the top, so giddy up cowboy! The trail is pretty shaded and consists of switchback after switchback. There are gorgeous Madrona Trees along the way that are smooth with no bark – they don’t even look real!
The trail is pretty narrow, so make sure you are being courteous and cautious.
A little over an hour into the hike there will be a “End of maintained trail” sign. Many people turn around here if they don’t want to do the ropes, and that’s totally okay! Just a little way back down the trail there is a beautiful viewpoint to see Lake Crescent without having to go to the summit. Please know your limits and be safe.
If you do choose to keep going, there will be a bit of trail that’s very narrow and along a ledge, so be very careful. Shortly after you’ll find the first of six ropes to climb. (More tips on the ropes below)
After the ropes there is a short rock scramble to the top. Some people said this was worse than the ropes but I didn’t think it was bad!
After the rock scramble you are officially at the summit and are treated to unbeatable views of Lake Crescent and the surrounding mountains. There isn’t a whole lot of room at the top so be mindful of other people. Stay for a bit and enjoy, then carefully head back down.
Mt. Storm King Ropes
So before this hike we’d never done a hike with ropes like this. I was honestly a bit nervous but we went slow and steady and all was fine! We were lucky that no one was there which meant we had the ropes to ourselves and didn’t have to rush. According to the trip reports it can become quite the zoo at this part if there are crowds coming both directions.
Tips for the ropes:
- Stay calm and go slow
- Keep the rope tight
- Be courteous of other hikers
- Pack gloves
- Don’t attempt it if you’re uncomfortable
Things to do near Mount Storm King hike
Marymere Falls
Marymere Falls and Mount Storm King share a trailhead, so it’s super easy to add these falls onto your hike. When you come back down from Storm King turn left at the Storm King trail sign to continue to Marymere Falls. It only adds 20 minutes round trip and it’s worth it!
Lake Crescent
At the trailhead near the ranger station there is direct access to Lake Crescent. After a hot and sweaty hike you can walk out to the dock and jump in before you leave. It’s the perfect reward for a challenging hike! Here you can also float, kayak, etc. if you want to spend some more time in the area chilling out.
How long does it take to hike Mount Storm King?
It took us about 2.5 hours round trip – 1.5 hours up and 1 hour down. If there are crowds at the ropes that can slow you down a bit, but luckily we didn’t have to share the ropes with anyone. As you plan make sure to also factor in time to enjoy the summit views at the top.
Is the Mount Storm King hike open?
Yes, the Mount Storm King hike is currently open (July 2020). The Storm King Ranger station is closed but information is posted outside and the facilities are open. A couple things that weren’t open when we went were the Camp Grounds and Spruce Railroad Trail. We learned about these closures from the board posted at the ranger station (see photo above). Be sure to check local laws before you go, as things are changing often.
COVID requirements and precautions
As of June 26th, masks are required in Washington in all indoor public spaces and all outdoor spaces where you can’t keep 6 feet of distance. This trail is super narrow, so it’s important to have a mask accessible to put on for passing. And please please please ACTUALLY WEAR YOUR MASK. So many people are not on the trails and it’s so disappointing.
I’d also recommend facing away from people when passing, not swapping phones/cameras to take photos for strangers and packing hand sanitizer to be extra careful during these times. Don’t forget to hand sanitize after the ropes and before your summit snack!
Mount Storm King hike cost and required pass
According to wta.org, there is no fee or pass required for the Mount Storm King hike. However, at the ranger station they had a “Fees” page insinuating that you need the National Park Pass for the area. We didn’t have a pass and were fine, but you may want to check recreation.gov or call the park in advance to confirm.
How to get to Mount Storm King
The trailhead for Mount Storm King is right off Highway 101. Follow directions on Google to Storm King Ranger Station and it will bring you to the parking lot. (Make sure you download offline maps, too, since service on the peninsula is spotty!)
How to get to Mount Storm King from Seattle
From Seattle there are three ways to get to Mount Storm King and they both typically take around 3 hours (depending on traffic). One route takes you on a ferry from Seattle to Bainbridge, the 2nd takes you on a ferry from Edmonds to Kingston and the on the 3rd route you just drive the southern route around the water.
If you’ve never taken a ferry here, it’s GORGEOUS. So consider one of the ferry routes if you want views along the way and to drive less. However, the ferry queue can be long and you have to pay for ferry tickets for both you & your vehicle. The 3rd route just driving south is a very simple drive if traffic in Tacoma and Olympia isn’t too bad. We typically go for the driving route since we’ve enjoyed the ferry many times in the past.
Mt. Storm King Parking
There is a parking lot here at the Storm King Ranger Station, right by the trailhead. We had no problem parking on a Wednesday evening but apparently on the weekends it fills up pretty quickly.
Best time to hike Mount Storm King
The best time to hike Mount Storm King is during the months of May through October. However, depending on the snow situation it can be hiked other times of year, too. Just make sure to check trail reports before you go on wta.org.
Also, it’s best to visit on a clear day so you can actually see and enjoy the view of Lake Crescent. If the clouds are too low you won’t be able to see anything. Weekdays are much less crowded if you can swing it and if you go on a weekend make sure to get there early.
Mt. Storm King sunset
Mount Storm King is, of course, STUNNING at sunset. It’s the time when we hiked it and it was magical. HOWEVER, if you are not comfortable hiking in the dark or aren’t adequately prepared it can be very dangerous to hike at this time. A woman asked my advice on this just last week and decided to go during the daylight instead. After she finished she messaged me saying “oh my gosh I’m SO glad I didn’t do that in the dark, especially my first time.”
If you do plan to go at sunrise or sunset, be extra careful. Don’t stay at the top too long and make sure you have ample time to finish the ropes before it’s too dark. Bring a headlamp (a flashlight won’t suffice since you need your hands for the rope), don’t hike alone and really pay attention to the trail on the way up so you have a better sense when you go down.
Is Mount Storm King safe to hike?
Yes, Mount Storm King felt safe to hike. However, you definitely need to be vigilant and come prepared. Wear the right footwear, take your time on the ropes, watch your footing on the narrow ledges, and know your limits. As long as you have a good level of fitness, come prepared (see what to bring below), and stay on the trail you should be fine.
Camping near Mount Storm King
Fairholme camp ground is the most popular camp site near Mount Storm King. However, as of July 2020 it’s currently closed for COVID. We ended up just finding a free camping spot on a forest service road about half an hour away. We use the iOverlander and Campendium apps to find camping sites. Make sure you follow the camping laws of the National Park and National Forest, and always follow the leave no trace principles.
Planning to car camp? Check out our essential car-camping packing list before you go!
What to bring with you on the Mount Storm King hike
- Backpack – you need both hands free to do the ropes, so make sure you have a backpack to hold your items.
- Hiking boots – you definitely need hiking boots with good traction to safely do this hike.
- Water – don’t forget to pack ample water
- Gloves – if you plan to do the ropes section, gloves will be very handy.
- Sunscreen & bug spray
- Headlamp – 100% necessary if you plan to hike at sunrise/sunset
- Camera – check out the camera gear we bring here
- Snacks – the picnic at the top is the best part of any hike, am I right??
- Mask – masks are currently required in Washington state
- Hand sanitizer – this is always nice to have, but it’s especially necessary during the pandemic. Make sure to use it after the ropes!
Psst.. Did you know? All of the photos in this article are edited with our Lightroom Presets that we use to edit our photos! Check them out!
Tips before you hike Mount Storm King
- Download Google Maps for the area before you go since service is limited.
- Download WTA (Washington Trails Association) app and add the hike to your “backpack.” This stores all the hike info locally so you can access it offline.
- Make sure you know the 7 Principles of Leave No Trace and take care of our beautiful outdoors!
More PNW Inspo
- Our FAVORITE hikes in Washington
- Kelly Butte Fire Lookout – the best Mt. Rainier hike
- Cannon Beach, Oregon Getaway
- 17 Must-Do’s in Leavenworth – Washington’s Bavarian town
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Enjoy your hike!
Kylie & Scott
(If you liked this article or have any questions, please comment below! And make sure to follow along on Instagram @LoveHardTravelOften)
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