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 nearly one-million-acre park located on the Olympic Peninsula of Washington state in the United States. It's known for its incredible diversity of ecosystems, ranging from dramatic glacier-capped mountains to old-growth temperate rainforests and wild Pacific coastline. This diversity is due in part to the rain shadow effect of the Olympic Mountains, creating vastly different climates within the park.
Key features of Olympic National Park include:
- Glacier-capped mountains: The Olympic Mountains, the park's namesake, dominate the landscape with peaks reaching nearly 8,000 feet. These mountains are home to numerous glaciers and provide opportunities for hiking, climbing, and backcountry exploration.
- Temperate rainforests: The Hoh Rainforest and the Quinault Rainforest are examples of the park's lush, old-growth forests, receiving over 12 feet of rain annually. These forests are characterized by massive trees, dense moss, and ferns.
- Pacific coastline: Olympic National Park boasts over 73 miles of rugged coastline, featuring rocky tide pools, sandy beaches, and dramatic sea stacks. This area offers opportunities for beachcombing, kayaking, and wildlife viewing.
- Diversity of flora and fauna: The park supports a wide variety of plant and animal life, including endemic species found nowhere else on Earth. Visitors might encounter Roosevelt elk, black bears, mountain lions, sea otters, and various bird species.
Olympic National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a Biosphere Reserve, recognized for its exceptional natural beauty and ecological significance.
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