Olympic National Park Vacations, Olympic National Park Vacation Reviews, Tourism Guide

Olympic National Park Vacation Guide

Olympic National Park is situated in the northwestern part of Washington State and is a 1406-sq-mile park that shelters a unique rain forest, copious glaciated mountain peaks and a 57-mile strip of Pacific coastal wilderness. The park was declared a national monument in 1909 an from 1938 it was declared a national park. The Pacific coast was added in 1953. The main information center, Olympic National Park Visitor Center is about a mile south of Port Angeles. Park admission fees are $15 per vehicle an $5 per pedestrian/cyclist. The admission fees are valid for seven days for entry and re-entry.

The most developed entrances are at the north side and west side of the park. On the north you'll find the most popular entrance to the park, at Port Angeles, the park's urban hub. Hurricane Ridge, the Elwha Valley and the park's largest lake, Lake Crescent, just south of Port Angeles, all have good access points.
On the west side of the park you'll find the most remote part of the park, and also the wettest. Annually 12ft of rain can be expected here. The west side is home to unique and temperate rain forests like the Hoh Rain Forest. The US 101 is the only accessible road into this heavily wooded area.

The park's highest peak is Mount Olympus with 7965 ft. Because of extensive glaciers ascents are taxing. Mt. Olympus has caused injuries and has claimed several lives each year, mainly because of falls into glacial crevasses. But, because of the fickle weather, exposure during storms can be equally lethal for the unprepared climber.