With distinct zones – mountains, forests, coast – Olympic is like three parks in one, and all are accessible in winter (with a little extra prep, of course). Traveling from Olympia, WA, Highway 101 circles the park, providing access to all areas and entry points. You’ll find Hurricane Ridge 17 miles south of Port Angeles in the north, complete with a warm and cozy visitor center and rental shop for winter gear. Coastal destinations are on the west side and forests on the south to southwest.
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National Park Foundation15 places
An iconic landscape of the Pacific Northwest, Olympic National Park covers nearly a million acres. About 90 miles outside of Seattle, this park offers the perfect escape from the bustle of the city. Go fishing, take a hike, explore tidepools, or even camp out for the night. During certain seasons you may see whales off the coast or spot a Roosevelt Elk in the park’s lower valleys and rainforests. And if you’re spending the night at Olympic, make sure to check out a ranger-led night sky program.
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National Park Foundation8 places
"With glacier-packed peaks, ancient forests, and a rugged coastline, Olympic is arguably one of the most diverse national parks in the country,” writes Brad Lane on PlanetWare.com. With so many options available spread over almost a million acres of land, figuring out where to start is often the biggest challenge! In this guidebook, you’ll discover a broad selection of Olympic National Park’s very best hikes.
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FATMAP10 places
You can see beaches, rainforests, and mountains at this beautiful park in the Pacific Northwest. Olympic National Park holds a little something for everyone. On the coast, kids four and up can be “Ocean Stewards” and earn a badge for completing activities. You can also explore tide pools, try any number of family hiking trails or spend some time on Rialto Beach.
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Tinybeans26 places
The North Coast Route weaves along some of the most remote shoreline in the Lower 48. Famous Washington spectacles of coastal rainforest, sea stacks, arches, headlands, river mouths, giant driftwood, rocky shores, and sandy beaches are spread along a 30-mile stretch of nearly undeveloped coast in Olympic National Park. The North Coast Route is a partially maintained backcountry trail with designated campsites.
MoreThe Best Backpacking Trips in Washington
FATMAP5 places
Covering nearly one million acres, Olympic National Park provides three distinct ecosystems – glaciated mountains, rugged Pacific coastline, and lush temperate forests – and their distinct flora and fauna for nature-lovers to explore. Over 95% of the park is designated wilderness, and visitors can enjoy a range of activities, including camping, kayaking, fishing, climbing, boating, and more.
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National Park Foundation63 places
Located in the Pacific Northwest state of Washington, Olympic National Park is a spectacular area of almost one million acres (405,000ha). Featuring several distinct ecosystems, from glacier-capped mountains to old-growth forests and rugged coastline, the scenery is truly diverse and breathtaking. Established in 1938, the land is home to an impressive array of animal life, while the sea is home to whales, dolphins and sea otters.
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Culture Trip11 places
Encompassing nearly a million acres, Olympic protects a vast wilderness, thousands of years of human history, and several distinctly different ecosystems, including glacier-capped mountains, old-growth temperate rain forests, and over 70 miles of wild coastline. You'd need more than a week to see everything, but don't miss attractions like Hurricane Ridge (for views of Mount Olympus), Lake Crescent (rent kayaks!), the Hoh Rainforest, and the sight of salmon cascading along Sol Duc River in fall.
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Time Out10 places