Olympic National Park Information

Olympic National Park is located in the extreme northwest corner of Washington State.  The park was established in 1938 to preserve some of Washington’s primeval old growth rain forest.  Approximately 95% of the park is designated wilderness.

The Olympic peninsula is a land of extremes.   Large glaciers are cascading off rugged summits, and they are flanked on their lower western reaches by a lush temperate rainforest. 

The eastern side of the Olympic Mountains are drained by the legendary Dosewallips, Hamma Hamma and Duckabush River Valleys.  It was here that Walt Disney filmed the Elk of Wonderland Valley in the early 1960’s that profiled the parks Roosevelt Elk species. 

If river are the veins of Olympic National Park than Salmon runs are the blood of the park.  There is probably no other national park in lower forty eight that contains healthier salmon runs and diversity of salmon species than Olympic National Park.  The high summits of Olympic National Park are a spectacular sight and they can be easily seen from across Puget Sound in downtown Seattle on a clear day.   

Olympic National Park Hotels and Lodging

The Log Cabin Resort has a variety of lodging options, along with a camping area for RVs and backpacking tents.  A fine dining room, soda fountain, boat rentals, a grocery and gift shop and is located on the north shore of Lake Crescent, about 20 miles west of Port Angeles and is accessible by vehicle.

Lake Crescent Lodge is located on Lake Crescent's south shore and it is about 25 miles west of Port Angeles.  This lodge has cabins, motel rooms and rooms in the historic lodge building, along with a fine dining room, lounge and coffee bar, gift shop and recreational boat rentals.  Both Lake Crescent Lodge and the Log Cabin Resort will provide a romantic or rustic family experience.

Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort

Perhaps the most unique lodging experience in Olympic National Park is Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort.  The Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort offers hot spring enthusiast a bit of relaxing paradise.  The legend of the Sol Duc Hot Springs is as follows:  The Quileute Indians called it 'Sol Duc' which is the Land of Sparkling Water. According to local Indian lore, long ago a dragon lived in the Soleduck Valley and one day he met another dragon from nearby Elwha Valley and the two proceeded to fight over their land which is now Olympic National Park.

During their fight they cleared the timber with fire above the visible tree line and left bare areas that can still be seen today as forest openings and meadows.  The dragons also lost some of their skin, which is hanging in the trees and clinging to the rocks of mossy lichens. The two dragons fought for years and were an equal match and when neither dragon could win the fight they crawled back to their caves and cried.  The two dragons' hot tears are the source of the Sol Duc's Hot Springs that can be enjoyed by visitors at this resort.


Olympic National Park Rainforest

The park was established in 1938 to preserve some of Washington’s primeval old growth rain forest.  The western side of the Olympic Mountains bears the brunt of all of the pacific storms and conditions are perfect for a temperate rain forest.    The lush forests in the Quinault, Queets and Hoh River valleys are some of the most spectacular examples of primeval temperate rain forest in the lower 48 states. These lush rain forests once stretched from southern Oregon to southeast Alaska, but little remains outside of protected areas. Other temperate rain forests grow in a few isolated spots around the world including Patagonian Chile, New Zealand and southern Australia.

Wildlife of Olympic National Park

Olympic National Park contains wildlife habitats that are essentially located in an old growth refuge.   The park is a rare refuge for species dependent on temperate old growth rain forests, including some species protected under the Endangered Species Act. Olympic provides one of the last remaining very large areas of intact primeval rain forest in the lower 48 states. These moist forests provide essential habitat for northern spotted owls, marbled murrelets and a variety of amphibians.  In addition to birds you can spot Roosevelt’s Elk, blacktail deer, mountain goats and maybe even a cougar if you are lucky.

Olympic National Park Area Vineyards and Wineries

For those who are looking to combine an enjoyable national park visit with fine wine tasting at local wineries the Olympic Peninsula is a great choice.  With superb local wines from Washington vineyards, fresh regional cuisine, and spectacular scenery, a visit to the Olympic Peninsula Wineries is the quintessential Northwest experience.

The artisan wineries of the Olympic Peninsula invite you year round to enjoy this beautiful part of Washington State. Explore the hidden back roads and the spectacular countryside as you visit these locally famous wineries.  The Harbinger Winery, Camaraderie Cellars, Black Diamond Winery, Olympic Cellars, Sorensen Cellars and the fair Winds Winery area are all conveniently located just north of Olympic National Park near the communities of Port Angeles and Port Townsend.

Hiking Olympic National Park

On a clear and sunny day, Hurricane Ridge, which is a mile above sea-level, offers the best and most convenient place to view the Olympic Mountains and most of the glaciated summits. It is here that you can sit on the visitor center viewing area or walk the nearby hiking trails.

If your vehicle has a higher clearance and you have decent tires you can drive the narrow unpaved Obstruction Point road to enjoy the alpine habitats.  Most of the Olympic National Park peaks do not have trails to their summits, but day hikes or backpacking trips on the park's trail network can take you to alpine basins, alpine lakes and high passes surrounded by snow covered glaciated peaks. Be sure to get a trail map at the ranger station before you go.