Best Olympic Peninsula Washington Travel Books of 2025

Wilson Cook Avatar
Wilson Cook
Last Updated: May 11, 2023

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The Olympic Peninsula in Washington is a breathtaking destination that offers a unique blend of nature, culture, and history. To fully appreciate the beauty and richness of this region, travelers should consider getting their hands on travel books specifically tailored for the Olympic Peninsula. These books offer comprehensive guides to the area's attractions, including hiking trails, beaches, museums, and local cuisine. They also provide insights into the history and culture of the region, including its Native American heritage. With the help of these travel books, visitors can make the most of their time in the Olympic Peninsula and create unforgettable memories.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

100 Hikes of a Lifetime: The World's Ultimate Scenic Trails Cover #TOP 1
100 Hikes of a Lifetime: The World's Ultimate Scenic Trails
ftb score rating icon 9.9
National Geographic Atlas of the National Parks Cover #TOP 2
National Geographic Atlas of the National Parks
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Your Guide to the National Parks: The Complete Guide to All 63 National Parks Cover #TOP 3
Your Guide to the National Parks: The Complete Guide to All 63 National Parks
ftb score rating icon 9.6

Top 10 Olympic Peninsula Washington Travel Books

100 Hikes of a Lifetime: The World's Ultimate Scenic Trails

Siber, Kate
National Geographic
Feb 4, 2020
100 Hikes of a Lifetime: The World's Ultimate Scenic Trails Cover
100 Hikes of a Lifetime: The World's Ultimate Scenic Trails

National Geographic's "100 Hikes of a Lifetime: The World's Ultimate Scenic Trails" is the ultimate guide for hikers and sightseers alike. With breathtaking photography, expert advice from hikers like Andrew Skurka, and practical travel information, this book offers 100 energizing hikes for all levels. From short day hikes to multi-week treks, this book covers all continents and climates, making it a modern-day wish book for nature lovers. The book features easy to difficult hikes, making it accessible for all hikers. Overall, "100 Hikes of a Lifetime" is an inspirational guide that will lead you to experience the best hikes of your life.

Waterman, Jon
National Geographic
Nov 19, 2019
National Geographic Atlas of the National Parks Cover
National Geographic Atlas of the National Parks

The National Geographic Atlas of the National Parks is a stunning book that showcases America's sixty-one national parks. The book is richly illustrated with maps, graphics, and photographs, providing an up-close look at what makes these lands so special and uniquely American. Former ranger and author Jonathan Waterman introduces readers to the country's scenic reserves and highlights the extraordinary features that distinguish each park. The book offers plenty of well-researched and effectively written textual material, as well as numerous crisply detailed photos, maps, and illustrations per spread. Overall, this book is an excellent reference for visitors, students, and anyone interested in learning about America's natural treasures.

Your Guide to the National Parks: The Complete Guide to All 63 National Parks

Oswald, Michael Joseph
Pankratz, Derek
May 3, 2022
Your Guide to the National Parks: The Complete Guide to All 63 National Parks Cover
Your Guide to the National Parks: The Complete Guide to All 63 National Parks

Your Guide to the National Parks: The Complete Guide to All 63 National Parks is an exceptional travel guidebook for those planning a trip to any of America's national parks. The book provides detailed maps, lodging, camping, and hiking tables to help simplify travel planning. It also explores hiking in depth and provides details on all the most popular activities. The tips and recommendations from the author are helpful to decide when to visit and how to avoid crowds. The updated third edition features more than 150 large maps and 100 easy-to-read tables. The book is comprehensive, instructive, illustrated, exceptionally well organized, and impressively presented. It is an ideal resource for getting the most out of a visit to any or all of America's national parks.

Road Trip USA (25th Anniversary Edition): Cross-Country Adventures on America's Two-Lane Highways

Jensen, Jamie
Moon Travel
Jun 8, 2021
Road Trip USA (25th Anniversary Edition): Cross-Country Adventures on America's Two-Lane Highways Cover
Road Trip USA (25th Anniversary Edition): Cross-Country Adventures on America's Two-Lane Highways

The 25th anniversary edition of Road Trip USA is the ultimate guide to exploring America's two-lane highways. With 11 routes and over 35,000 miles of two-lane blacktop, the book offers endless possibilities for cross-country adventures. It features mile-by-mile highlights of the best roadside curiosities, parks, diners, and local history. The book also includes expert advice from road warrior Jamie Jensen, who has driven nearly 400,000 miles of highway. This guidebook is a must-have for anyone looking to explore the soul of the country. Moon Travel Guides prioritizes local businesses, outdoor recreation, and sustainable travel.

Birds of the Pacific Northwest (A Timber Press Field Guide)

Shewey, John
Blount, Tim
Timber Press
Mar 1, 2017
Birds of the Pacific Northwest (A Timber Press Field Guide) Cover
Birds of the Pacific Northwest (A Timber Press Field Guide)

Birds of the Pacific Northwest is a comprehensive and easy-to-use field guide for bird enthusiasts of all levels. With detailed accounts and over 870 stunning photographs, the guide covers nearly 400 bird species commonly found in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and British Columbia. It also includes precise descriptions of voices, behaviors, habitats, and top birding sites in the region. The individual range maps provide valuable information for identification, showing seasonal and migratory patterns. Overall, this Timber Press guide is a must-have for birders looking to explore the Pacific Northwest and its diverse avian population.

Moon Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip: California, Oregon & Washington (Travel Guide)

Anderson, Ian
Dec 20, 2022
Moon Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip: California, Oregon & Washington (Travel Guide) Cover
Moon Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip: California, Oregon & Washington (Travel Guide)

Moon Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip is a comprehensive travel guidebook for those who want to explore the scenic beauty of the Pacific coast. With flexible itineraries, driving tools, and local expertise, this guidebook provides everything needed to plan a perfect road trip. The book includes 48 easy-to-use maps, site-to-site mileage, driving times, and detailed directions for the entire route. The author, Ian Anderson, shares his love of the open road and provides practical tips for travelers. Overall, this book is a perfect guide for anyone planning to embark on a road trip along the Pacific coast.

National Park Maps: An Atlas of the U.S. National Parks

Oswald, Michael Joseph
Apr 4, 2023
National Park Maps: An Atlas of the U.S. National Parks Cover
National Park Maps: An Atlas of the U.S. National Parks

National Park Maps: An Atlas of the U.S. National Parks is a comprehensive guide for those who want to explore America's most scenic treasures. With full-color maps of all 63 U.S. National Parks, hundreds of photos, and driving distance charts, this atlas is an invaluable tool for planning your next national park adventure. The book also provides need-to-know information about permits, crowds, and closures. Michael Joseph Oswald's goal is to help readers make the most of their National Park experience, and he does an excellent job. Overall, this book is exceptionally informative, well-organized, and user-friendly. It's a must-have for any American travel guide and map collection.

Fodor's The Complete Guide to the National Parks of the West: with the Best Scenic Road Trips (Full-color Travel Guide)

Fodor's Travel Guides
Fodor's Travel
May 25, 2021
Fodor's The Complete Guide to the National Parks of the West: with the Best Scenic Road Trips (Full-color Travel Guide) Cover
Fodor's The Complete Guide to the National Parks of the West: with the Best Scenic Road Trips (Full-color Travel Guide)

Fodor's The Complete Guide to the National Parks of the West is the ultimate travel guide for exploring the breathtaking landscapes of the American West. This guidebook is packed with detailed maps, itineraries, and recommendations from locals to help plan your trip and make the most of your time. With special features on the Colorado River, Yellowstone's geothermal wonders, and more, this guidebook offers historical and cultural insights to enhance your experience. The book is also filled with stunning color photos to inspire your wanderlust. Overall, Fodor's The Complete Guide to the National Parks of the West is an essential companion for any traveler looking to explore the natural wonders of the American West.

Fodor's Seattle (Full-color Travel Guide)

Fodor’s Travel Guides
Apr 25, 2023
Fodor's Seattle (Full-color Travel Guide) Cover
Fodor's Seattle (Full-color Travel Guide)

Fodor's Seattle is an excellent travel guidebook for anyone planning a trip to the Emerald City. The book is filled with detailed maps, curated recommendations, and beautiful color photos to help travelers simplify their trip-planning process and make the most of their time. The guidebook includes multiple itineraries, "best of" features, and trip-planning tools and practical tips. Additionally, the book provides historical and cultural insights on local art, architecture, cuisine, music, and geography. Overall, Fodor's Seattle is a must-have for anyone planning on visiting the city and the surrounding region.

#TOP 10

Wildflowers of the Pacific Northwest (A Timber Press Field Guide)

Turner, Mark
Gustafson, Phyllis
Timber Press
Feb 20, 2006
Wildflowers of the Pacific Northwest (A Timber Press Field Guide) Cover
Wildflowers of the Pacific Northwest (A Timber Press Field Guide)

Wildflowers of the Pacific Northwest is a comprehensive guide that covers 1220 commonly encountered species of perennials, annuals, and shrubs, both native and non-native. The book is organized by flower color and shape and includes a range map for each flower described. The guide is perfect for hikers, naturalists, and native plant enthusiasts. The stunning photography sets this book apart from others in the genre, and it is durable and small enough to fit easily into a daypack or the car. This is a must-have book for anyone wishing to learn about the diverse wildflowers of the Pacific Northwest.

Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How long does it take to drive the Olympic Peninsula Loop?

If you want to start your Olympic loop road trip on the south side of the Peninsula, you'll get off at I-5 in Olympia and take US-101 N from there. If you're wondering how long it takes to drive around the Olympic Peninsula, the answer is about 12 hours.

2. What is the best month to visit Olympic National Park?

The best time to visit Olympic National Park is July through August, when temperatures are usually warm, most roads and facilities are open, and a full range of programs are available. You can find an updated list of seasonal activities in the Olympic Bugler, the park's digital newsletter.

3. Is the Olympic Peninsula safe?

- Olympic National Park is one of the most dangerous national parks in the country, according to a study. The study, which outforia.com conducted, shows how many search and rescue incidents took place at each park from 2018-2020. Olympic National Park came in at No. 9, with 204 total over the two-year period.

4. How many days do you need to explore Olympic National Park?

At a minimum, you need three full days in Olympic National Park, if you want to visit Hurricane Ridge, the Pacific Coastline, and the temperate rainforests. However, more time is better, as it allows you to hike more trails and it gives you some contingency time should it rain or snow, which is entirely possible.

Editor's Notes

During our olympic peninsula washington travel book research, we found 134 olympic peninsula washington travel book products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 11,404 customer reviews through our big data system to write the olympic peninsula washington travel books list. We found that most customers choose olympic peninsula washington travel books with an average price of $17.74.

Written by
Wilson Cook Avatar

Wilson Cook is a talented writer who has an MFA in creative writing from Williams College and has published more than 50 books acquired by hundreds of thousands of people from various countries by now. He is an inveterate reading lover as he has read a vast amount of books since childhood.