A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Durango vs. Olympic National Park for Hiking, Backpackers, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Durango or Olympic National Park?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Durango and Olympic National Park. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Durango

Durango is a historic, charming, and quaint small town. It also offers plenty of small town charm and also has plenty of sights and activities. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. This is an attractive and quaint destination worth visiting as well. And you can't forget about the hiking and museums.

Olympic National Park

Olympic National Park is a vast, pristine, and stunning park. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include food, hiking, and museums.

Durango and Olympic National Park: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Durango or Olympic National Park?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Durango. Although Durango and Olympic National Park are popular destinations, Durango has more sights and attractions for tourists. Durango is very popular for its skiing, historical sights, small town charm, and quaint atmosphere, while Olympic National Park attracts visitors for its food, resorts, hiking, and impressive beauty. Olympic National Park is more touristy than Durango and is popular for its diverse landscapes and its frequent rainfall. Durango is famous for its historic narrow gauge railroad, its charming small town atmosphere, and its many family-friendly activities. It is also well known for The Silverton & Durango Narrow Gauge Railroad.

How is Durango different from Olympic National Park?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Olympic National Park and Durango. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Is Durango or Olympic National Park Better for Skiing?

Durango is a moderate small town for snow skiing. However, Olympic National Park is not a skiing destination.

Durango is a fun local destination for snow skiers. Purgatory Ski Resort is about 20 minutes from town and it's a family-friendly mountain with beginner and intermediate runs. It's small, and geared specifically to the beginner and younger crowd.

Olympic National Park is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Durango or Olympic National Park?

Spend time exploring the nice sights and museums in either Durango or Olympic National Park.

Durango is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Most visitors come to town specifically to ride the Silverton & Durango Narrow Gauge Railroad. There's also the D&SNGRR Railroad Museum, and the Fish Hatchery and Wildlife Museum.

Olympic National Park offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are several museums near the park that highlight the region's history, culture, and geology. These include the Makah Cultural & Research Center Museum, Forks Timber Museum, Sequim Museum, and Squaxin Island Museum, Library and Research Center.

Is the Food Better in Durango or Olympic National Park? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Olympic National Park is a good destination for its restaurants. However, Durango is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Olympic National Park. Most of the lodges have restaurants within the park, but they can be overpriced. There are also restaurants just outside of the park's border.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Durango. Most of the restaurants are casual and family-friendly, serving up burgers or sandwiches for a reasonable price. You'll also find some coffeeshops and even a few food trucks and international restaurants.

Is Durango or Olympic National Park Better for Nightlife?

Neither Durango or Olympic National Park offer decent nightlife.

Durango doesn't offer many options. It's a small town that attracts tourists mainly for its train, so you won't find much in the way of a nightlife scene.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Olympic National Park. You can enjoy a peaceful natural setting after the sun sets.

Is Durango or Olympic National Park Better for Resorts?

Olympic National Park is a very popular place for its luxury resorts. However, Durango is not a resort destination.

There are plenty of resorts in Olympic National Park to choose from. There are several lodges within the park as well as cabins and inns. Some have a historic atmosphere while others are more rustic. It's best to book well in advance, particularly if you're visiting during the peak summer months.

Durango is not a resort destination.

Is Durango or Olympic National Park Better for its Old Town?

Durango is a popular place for its old town. However, Olympic National Park does not have a historic old town.

Many people head to Durango to see the old town. Filled with character, the downtown feels like you've stepped into a Western. The town has a long history as a mining and railroad community, which you can see throughout the historic area. It really feels like you're in the "Wild West."

Olympic National Park does not have a historic old town.

Is Durango or Olympic National Park Better for Hiking?

Olympic National Park is a world-class destination for its hiking trails. Also, Durango is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its hiking experiences.

Olympic National Park is well-known for its hiking and trekking. Hiking trails will take you through the diverse range of landscapes. There are mountain climbs, coastal trails, and routes that wander through old growth forests. You'll also find a mix of day hikes and backcountry wilderness hikes. Mount Storm King, Marymere Falls, and the High Divide are favorite hikes in the park, but there are countless others.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Durango. It's surrounded by plenty of natural beautiful and there is an endless supply of hikes in the region. Popular nearby hikes include Animas Mountain Trail, Falls Creek Trail, and Purgatory Trail.

Is the Shopping Better in Durango or Olympic National Park?

Shoppers can find a variety of reasonable stores in both Durango and Olympic National Park.

Durango is a good destination for shopping. The charming town has some boutiques that sell beautifully made Native American jewelry and other interesting items. There are also souvenir shops and other venues that target tourists specifically.

If you're looking to go shopping, Olympic National Park has some nice offerings. There's a park store where you can pick up books, informational resources, and souvenirs.

Is Durango or Olympic National Park Better for Christmas?

Durango is a popular place for its Christmas activities. However, Olympic National Park does not offer Christmas activities.

Durango offers some nice Christmas activities. It is a great Christmas town where you can meet Santa, go skiing, and even take the Polar Express.

Olympic National Park does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Durango or Olympic National Park Better for Families?

Both Durango and Olympic National Park are superb family-friendly destinations.

Durango is a very family-friendly destination. In the area you'll find ziplining, alpine slides, and plenty of outdoor areas to explore - and of course there's the railroad.

Olympic National Park is a very kid-friendly small town. Kids will enjoy exploring the tidal pools and running around the beach. It's also fun to lose yourself in the old growth rainforests and spend some time kayaking or canoeing at Lake Crescent.

Is Durango or Olympic National Park Better for Couples?

Olympic National Park is a very popular place for romance. However, Durango is lacking in good options for its romantic activities.

Olympic National Park makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples who enjoy hiking, camping, and natural beauty will love exploring this park together. There are a diversity of ecosystems and landscapes where you can enjoy a couples retreat together.

Most people don't think of Durango as a couple's destination. The town may not be the first romantic destination that comes to mind, but the railroad combined with wandering the downtown can make for a great couple's getaway.

Is Durango or Olympic National Park Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Olympic National Park is a world-class destination for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Durango is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Many backpackers frequent Olympic National Park. There are many beautiful backcountry destinations that let you experience this park in depth. Make sure you purchase a permit in advance.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Durango. With plenty of parks and outdoor areas nearby, backpackers will have plenty of places to explore.

Is Durango or Olympic National Park Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Olympic National Park is a decent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Durango is lacking in good options for its public transit.

Public transit is mostly limited in Olympic National Park. There are buses and ferries to the park, but the park is large and requires a private vehicle to fully access it.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Durango. It's a small town with no real public transit options so a car is a must.

Is Durango or Olympic National Park a more walkable city?

Durango is a moderate small town for its high level of walkability. However, Olympic National Park is not a good park for its ease of walking around.

Durango is generally not very walkable. While the Main Street through town is walkable, it's not as pedestrian-friendly as some small towns.

Olympic National Park is not a very walkable small town. The park is large and you'll need a car to reach most of the trailheads.

For even more information, also check out Is Durango Worth Visiting? and Is Olympic National Park Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Olympic National Park or Durango?

How long in Durango or Olympic National Park?

In either Durango or Olympic National Park, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Olympic National Park than Durango because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Durango, and 2-5 days is enough time in Olympic National Park.

Families should spend more time in Durango than Olympic National Park. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Durango, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Olympic National Park than Durango. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Olympic National Park that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Olympic National Park than Durango if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Olympic National Park.

One day in Durango or Olympic National Park?

Even though Durango is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

In Olympic National Park, you'll find food and museums. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. This park offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Durango or Olympic National Park?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Durango. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this small town. It offers something for everyone.

In Olympic National Park, you'll find museums and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Olympic National Park has to offer.

Five days in Durango or Olympic National Park?

Durango is a fun place to experience. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Olympic National Park is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Olympic National Park has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Durango or Olympic National Park?

Durango is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Olympic National Park. Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Olympic National Park. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. It's also a relaxing resort destination. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City, The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City, The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage, and The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Durango and Olympic National Park, we can see that Durango is more expensive. And not only is Olympic National Park much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Olympic National Park would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Olympic National Park and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Durango would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Durango than you might in Olympic National Park.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Durango Expensive? and Is Olympic National Park Expensive?.