Olympic National Park
Olympic National Park
Olympic National Park adds sparkling lakes and temperate rain forest to the natural landscape of Washington state, making it one of the great outdoor destinations in America all year-round.
At A Glance
In The Park
Superintendent: William LaitnerPhone Number: 360-565-3000
Entrance Fees: Individual Pass (valid for 7 days): $5; Vehicle Pass (valid for 7 days): $15; Olympic National Park Annual Pass: $30
Sights: Hurricane Ridge; Elwha; Lake Crescent; Sol Duc; Ozette; Rialto Beach; Hoh Rain Forest; Kalaloch Beach; Queet Valley; Quinault Valley; Staircase
Endangered Species: Northern Spottted Owl; Marbled Murrelet; Grizzly Bear
Important Dates
Established as Park: June 29, 1938By The Numbers
Acres: 922,651.00Highest Point: Mount Olympus (7969 feet)
Annual Visitation: 2,749,197 (2006)
Location
Latitude / Longitude :47.888150 / -123.500840 (map it)
State: WA
Nearby Big City: Port Angeles, WA
Gateway Communities: Port Angeles, WA; Carlsborg, WA; Sequim, WA; Joyce, WA; Forks, WA; Beaver, WA; Chimacum, WA
Nearby Airports: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA); William R. Fairchild International Airport (CLM)
Green Features
Has Recycling? : YesHas Shuttle System? : No
Has Volunteer Program? : Yes
Park Photos
Banana Slug
Steffen Foerster Photogr...
Hoh Rain Forest
Mike Norton
Mountainscape
Natalia Bratslavsky
View More Olympic Photos
In Detail
Activities & Programs From nature walks to snowshoeing, there is much to do in Olympic year-round. SPRING, SUMMER AND FALL Park Programs The NPS offers free programs in the summer, including coastal forest walks and bea ... read more.
Campgrounds Altaire 30 yes $ 12 Deer Park 14 no $ 10 Elwha 40 yes $ 12 Fairholme 88 yes $ 12 Graves Creek 30 no $ 12 Heart O' the Hills 105 yes $ 12 Hoh 88 yes $ 12 Kalaloch 170 yes $ 14, $18** Mora 95 yes $ ... read more.
Camping Whether it's deep in the rain forest, on a lakeshore or on a cliff above the ocean, camping in Olympic National Park is truly outstanding. Campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. ... read more.
Did You Know? Olympic was established in 1938 and receives more than three million visitors per year! ... read more.
Hiking Trails Ozette Lake-Cape Alava-Sand Point Trail — moderate Beginning on the shores of Ozette Lake, this 9.3-mile loop trail follows a wooden walkway 3.3 miles through lush, coastal forest to Cape Alava ... read more.
History The Olympic Peninsula was an Eden for its early inhabitants. Today, American Indians are still a strong presence on the Olympic Peninsula. In fact, Olympic National Park is close to the reservations ... read more.
Lodging & Dining Kalaloch Lodge The lodge is located on the scenic coast off U.S. 101, 36 miles south of Forks. There are 44 cabins with kitchenettes; 20 sit right on a coastal bluff. Built in 1953, the present lodge ... read more.
Only A Day If you only have a day, you may want to choose one of two routes. Each will introduce you to two of the three "faces" of Olympic National Park: mountains, forest and coast. For a good introduction, b ... read more.
Sights To See The three areas of Olympic National Park—the mountains, forest and coast—may be accessed by U.S. 101 with spur roads leading to some areas. For an orientation to the park, begin your visi ... read more.
Walking & Hiking Whatever your choice, hiking in Olympic can be a wondrous experience. The following self-guiding trails range from 0.5-mile to 3.2 miles round trip and some are accessible with assistance. For more ... read more.
Who's Who National Park Service (NPS) Since its founding in 1916, the NPS has endeavored to preserve America's parklands for future generations. Contact the NPS at Olympic National Park, 600 East Park Avenue, ... read more.
Recent News
- Group Gives National Park System ‘Fair’ Grade June 30, 2008, 11:00 am
- FDR Returns for Park’s 70th June 26, 2008, 10:51 am
- WTA Crew Reroutes Hoh River Trail April 23, 2008, 2:50 pm
- New superintendent for Olympic National Park noted for work amid controversy in Florida April 23, 2008, 12:03 pm
Olympic In Depth
News from the Parks
Alexander Backs New Source of Funding for National Parks
July 3, 2008 - 9:38am
U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today announced he will cosponsor bipartisan legislation to create a new source of funding for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and other national parks across the country as part of the “Centennial Challenge” celebrating the 100th anniversary of the National Park System in 2016. “The Centennial Challenge could bring up to $4 million to the Smokies – the country’s most visited national park – and will go a long way toward improving park facilities, aiding conservation efforts, and helping build upon the excellent visitor services already offered. This 4th of July, I can’t think of a better way to celebrate our country’s birthday than backing legislation that will aid efforts to preserve and celebrate our national parks, one of America’s greatest treasures.”
July 3, 2008 - 9:38am
U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today announced he will cosponsor bipartisan legislation to create a new source of funding for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and other national parks across the country as part of the “Centennial Challenge” celebrating the 100th anniversary of the National Park System in 2016. “The Centennial Challenge could bring up to $4 million to the Smokies – the country’s most visited national park – and will go a long way toward improving park facilities, aiding conservation efforts, and helping build upon the excellent visitor services already offered. This 4th of July, I can’t think of a better way to celebrate our country’s birthday than backing legislation that will aid efforts to preserve and celebrate our national parks, one of America’s greatest treasures.”
EPA's Pollution Plan Slammed
July 3, 2008 - 9:35am
City officials and business leaders here Wednesday warned that a federal proposal to relax air quality standards for the nation's national parks will ultimately be bad for business. Simply put, they said during a news conference at the entrance to Zion National Park, lower air standards being proposed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will hurt this gateway city economically if fewer tourists visit the park. "Air pollution could damage the stars, vistas and clean air we enjoy," Springdale Mayor Pat Cluff said. "Some places deserve to be preserved and it is my responsibility to preserve [the park] for those who come here."
July 3, 2008 - 9:35am
City officials and business leaders here Wednesday warned that a federal proposal to relax air quality standards for the nation's national parks will ultimately be bad for business. Simply put, they said during a news conference at the entrance to Zion National Park, lower air standards being proposed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will hurt this gateway city economically if fewer tourists visit the park. "Air pollution could damage the stars, vistas and clean air we enjoy," Springdale Mayor Pat Cluff said. "Some places deserve to be preserved and it is my responsibility to preserve [the park] for those who come here."
Dinosaur Fossils In Utah Inspire 'Jr. Paleontologists'
July 2, 2008 - 9:57am
Millions of years ago, northeastern Utah was a hot spot for dinosaurs. Today, people travel to the Dinosaur National Monument located on the borders of Colorado and Utah to see the leftover dinosaur bones. Visitors can see as many as 1,500 Jurassic-era fossils exposed on the cliff face of the Douglass Quarry.
July 2, 2008 - 9:57am
Millions of years ago, northeastern Utah was a hot spot for dinosaurs. Today, people travel to the Dinosaur National Monument located on the borders of Colorado and Utah to see the leftover dinosaur bones. Visitors can see as many as 1,500 Jurassic-era fossils exposed on the cliff face of the Douglass Quarry.
A Paiute Take On Bryce Canyon's Hoodoos
July 2, 2008 - 9:56am
The red spindly rock formations that make up the views at Bryce Canyon National Park are called hoodoos. Geologists say they were formed by erosion, but Kevin Poe, chief of interpretation at Bryce, shares his take on the Paiute legend about hoodoos.
July 2, 2008 - 9:56am
The red spindly rock formations that make up the views at Bryce Canyon National Park are called hoodoos. Geologists say they were formed by erosion, but Kevin Poe, chief of interpretation at Bryce, shares his take on the Paiute legend about hoodoos.
Can The Everglades Be Saved?
July 2, 2008 - 9:55am
Environmentalists have been issuing dire warnings about the deterioration of the Florida Everglades for years, saying these wetlands have to be restored in order to revive fragile ecosystems and increase scarce fresh water supplies. Over half of the Everglades are gone, irreversibly converted to urban or agricultural development. But this week, in an attempt to save what's left, the state of Florida announced a plan to buy nearly 200,000 acres of former wetlands from a sugar cane producer. Advocates say the plan is the largest restoration project in American history.
July 2, 2008 - 9:55am
Environmentalists have been issuing dire warnings about the deterioration of the Florida Everglades for years, saying these wetlands have to be restored in order to revive fragile ecosystems and increase scarce fresh water supplies. Over half of the Everglades are gone, irreversibly converted to urban or agricultural development. But this week, in an attempt to save what's left, the state of Florida announced a plan to buy nearly 200,000 acres of former wetlands from a sugar cane producer. Advocates say the plan is the largest restoration project in American history.
