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Plan a Road Trip > Explore America > National Parks > Olympic National Park |
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600 E Park Ave, Port Angeles, WA 98362-6798
Phone: 360-565-3130
Fax: 360-565-3147
Open All Year
Overview. Three separate ecosystems make up this 1,427-square-mile park, located on the Olympic Peninsula. The rugged Pacific shore stands in contrast to pristine subalpine forests and meadows, and prime Pacific Northwest rain forest possessing a mild climate and lush vegetation. Many rivers meander through a glacier-carved mountain range that is described by local residents as a "gift from the sea."
Glaciers isolated the peninsula from the continent during the Ice Age. As a result, over 20 kinds of animals and wildflowers are unique to the area and don't appear anywhere else on earth. The indigenous flora and fauna includes Olympic marmot, painted cup, and Beardslee trout. The Ice Age also kept certain animals, common to other regions in the state, off the peninsula. You won't see grizzly bears or porcupines, although mountain goats were introduced during the early part of the 20th century.
What to see and do. You might want to start by visiting the Hoh Rain Forest, which is a two-hour drive from Port Angeles. US 101 is the park's main approach and connects to several spur roads. Hoh Road leads you to the visitor center, which offers two spectacular nature trails.
The Hall of Mosses Trail is almost a mile in length. Along the way, you'll see conifer and maple trees covered in licorice ferns and club moss, as well as towering spruce, hemlock, and western red cedar.
You can also stroll along the Hoh River on the Spruce Nature Trail, which is just over a mile long. Red alder, willow, and Douglas fir reach above the rain forest while hemlock and spruce grow luxuriantly in their shadow.
Hurricane Ridge, named for its sometimes severe winter weather, is a popular spot in the park's subalpine forest and meadowlands. Here, you'll get an incredible view of distant peaks and glaciers; on a clear day you might even see Vancouver Island to the north. Be sure to check the weather forecast before starting out on your 17-mile drive from the visitor center in Port Angeles to the ridge. The Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center offers an exhibit about major glaciers and peaks.
Along the Pacific Coast, over 60 miles of wilderness have been set aside as a preserve. You can drive along US 101 and stop at scenic overlooks or take any one of a number of short trails down to the beach. The terrain varies from north to south; beaches to the south tend to be sandy while the northern beaches are rocky. Along the way, you may get a glimpse of harbor seals and gray whales. Local vegetation varies from spruce to cedar.
The park offers 16 campgrounds, some of which are open year-round and have a two-week limit. All sites, except Kalaloch are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Kalaloch sites can be reserved June through September at 800-365-2267 or online at http://reservations.nps.gov Maps of the park are available online. Other sites are accessible from backpacking in.
The park itself is open all year, although winter weather may close some roads.
The park's beaches are rated among the best in the state. Take the Ozette Loop Hike, beginning at the Ozette Ranger Station. It is about a three-mile walk to the beach; by car, it is a 10-mile drive to the beach. Also, Hwy 105 follows the Olympic coast line.
| Activities and Services |
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Archeological Sites |
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Beach |
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Bicycle Trails |
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Bird Watching |
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Boat Launching |
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Climbing |
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Cross-country Skiing |
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Downhill Skiing |
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Fishing |
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Food Service |
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Geological Sites |
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Gift Shop |
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Guided Tours |
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Hiking/Nature Trails |
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Historic Sites |
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Horse Trails |
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Motor Boating |
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Museum/Exhibits |
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Non-motor Boating |
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Picnic Sites |
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Programs/Talks |
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Self-guided Tours |
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Snowboarding |
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Swimming |
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Visitor Center |
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Water Skiing |
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Whitewater Sports |
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Wildflower Viewing |
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Wildlife Viewing |
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