Olympic National Park is one of three National Parks in Washington State. It’s located in the Northwest corner of the state and features an array of habitats — most notably beautiful coastlines and areas of temperate rainforest such as the Hoh Rainforest. Because we live a short drive away, it’s one of the parks we’ve spent more time in — but not enough.
- Olympic National Park consists of mountainous, alpine areas, coastline, and rainforest to the West and to the east, and drier forests and meadows to the East.
- It covers 1442 square miles of land.
- Because of the difference in zones, the weather may be different at various places within the park. Please check the NPS website for road conditions before you go.
- Camping is available at many sites in the park. Most are on a reservation system from Recreation.gov, and Summer spots fill up early! I’ve camped within the park later in the fall, and normally, full hookup spots in late October were mostly wide open. But note that you’re subject to very wet weather at that time of year!
- Pets are only welcome on certain trails in the park. You can find out which ones here.
- Olympic National Park is one of three National Parks in Washington State (along with Mount Rainier National Park and North Cascades National Park.
- You can find our map page for the page here.
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Olympic National Park is a large and diverse national park located on the Olympic Peninsula of Washington state in the United States. It's known for its incredible range of ecosystems, from rugged coastline and sandy beaches to old-growth temperate rainforests and glacier-capped mountains. This diversity is due to the park's location, size, and the rain shadow effect created by the Olympic Mountains.
Key features of Olympic National Park include:
- Coastal areas: Dramatic rocky coastlines, tide pools teeming with life, and sandy beaches like Rialto Beach with its iconic sea stacks.
- Temperate rainforests: Lush, ancient forests with massive trees like Sitka spruce, western hemlock, and Douglas fir, supporting a rich understory of ferns, mosses, and other plants. Hoh Rainforest and Quinault Rainforest are prime examples.
- Mountains: The Olympic Mountains dominate the park's interior, with Mount Olympus being the highest peak. These mountains are home to glaciers, alpine meadows, and subalpine forests.
- Rivers and lakes: Numerous rivers and lakes flow through the park, offering opportunities for fishing, kayaking, and other water activities. Lake Quinault and Lake Crescent are notable examples.
- Wildlife: The park supports a diverse array of wildlife, including Roosevelt elk, black bears, mountain lions, black-tailed deer, river otters, and numerous bird species.
The park protects nearly a million acres of wilderness and offers a wide variety of recreational activities, including hiking, camping, backpacking, fishing, wildlife viewing, and exploring the diverse ecosystems. It's a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a Biosphere Reserve, highlighting its global significance.