Olympic National Park

Covering nearly 1 million acres of land across the Olympic Peninsula in the northeastern corner of Washington state, Olympic National Park boasts diverse ecosystems and abundant opportunities for outdoor recreation. A wilderness wonderland, 95% of this largely roadless marvel is untouched and undeveloped, making it ideal for camping, backpacking and unfiltered backcountry exploration. Designated as a World Heritage Site and an International Biosphere Reserve by the United Nations, the park draws millions of visitors every year for recreation, relaxation and exploration.

A rich mosaic of both natural and cultural history, Olympic National Park is also home to dozens of species of mammals and marine life and it’s not uncommon to spot everything from bald eagles and pygmy owls to elk and marmots to whales breaching the sea’s surface and salmon swimming upstream. Explore the coastline, rich with aquatic and geological life. You’ll pass tide pools and tide-worn cliffs. Watch untamed rivers flow from glacier-capped peaks, while climbing your way to the top. Enter the lush, temperate climate of the rainforest, and hike through the vast interior of this stunning wilderness. Come winter, traverse mountain trails with your cross-country skis.

The park is situated in relatively close proximity to urban areas, so you can easily make a visit as an overnight or weekend trip. But with so much to see, chances are you’ll want to make a visit here a full expedition.