Things to do / Travel Guide
Address:600 East Park Avenue
Port Angeles, Washington
Tel:
(360) 565-3130
How many parks let you backpack along the beach, take in stunning views of glacier-capped mountains, and hike through a lush rainforest all in the same place? Tucked into the northwestern corner of Washington State you'll find Olympic National Park, which is actually more like three completely unique parks all wrapped up into one.
At about 1 million acres, the park boasts over 60 miles of unspoiled wild Pacific coast, grassy meadows, one of the country's most unique temperate rainforests, bubbling hot springs, and dozens of shimmering lakes and rivers. Rainforests can be seen along the magnificent Hoh, Queets, and Quinault rivers. Some of the towering trees in the Hoh Rain Forest can reach up to a whopping 300 feet high.
Mount Olympus, in the center of the park, is topped with ancient, glaciated peaks that receive major snowfall throughout the year. Hurricane Ridge, a popular viewpoint and the highest point accessible by car, offers both Nordic and alpine skiing, weather conditions permitting. The coastal strip varies dramatically, with some beaches boasting soft, island-like sand, and others full of sharp, treacherous rocks. Ozette Loop is the most popular beach area thanks to its boardwalks, petroglyphs, bald eagle viewing, and serene beach-walk.
As you can probably imagine, outdoor activities at Olympic are nearly unlimited, so you'll want at least a day to really experience each section of the park. Horseback riding is permitted along many of the trails, with some restrictions. Fishing, hiking, camping, and wildlife viewing are top-rate in this extraordinary wilderness preserve.
From Olympic National Park - Port Angeles, Washington State:
Glacier capped mountains, wild Pacific coast and magnificent stands of old-growth forests, including temperate rain forests -- at Olympic National Park, you can find all three. About 95% of the park is designated wilderness, which further protects these diverse and spectacular ecosystems.
Olympic is also known for its biological diversity. Isolated for eons by glacial ice, and later the waters of Puget Sound and the Strait of Juan de Fuca, the Olympic Peninsula has developed its own distinct array of plants and animals. Eight kinds of plants and 15 kinds of animals are found on the peninsula and nowhere else on Earth.