• Olympic: Three Parks in One

    Olympic

    National Park Washington

  • Olympic Hot Springs Road Closed

    The Elwha Valley's Olympic Hot Springs Road is closed to public entry beyond the Altair Campground during removal of the Glines Canyon Dam. Olympic Hot Springs is not accessible from the Elwha.

Nature & Science

three images of Olympic -- mountain, forest with creek, and coast
Olympic's diverse ecosystems are home to a stunning variety of plants and animals.
 

From tiny unique flowers on icy peaks to sea stars patrolling foaming tide pools, myriad species find refuge in the sanctuary of Olympic National Park. Geology, climate, isolation, history and sheer size mean this nearly one million-acre park protects relatively intact ecosystems, making it a priceless living laboratory and a home for plants and animals large and small.


To see a list of Olympic National Park endemic plants and animals click here.

  • Glaciers and Climate Change Glaciers and Climate Change

    Click here to learn about glacier research, use an interactive map with comparison photos, and watch an animation about how climate change and glaciers interact. Read More

  • Science Learning Network Science Learning Network

    Go in-depth and behind the scenes to discover how scientists are protecting our northwest national parks. Read More

  • Science Minute Videos Science Minute Videos

    See science in action! Read More

Did You Know?

star-shaped purple flowers growing in a crack of a rock

That the Piper's bellflower is unique to the Olympic Mountains? Named after an early Olympic peninsula botanist, the Piper's bellflower grows in cracks and crevices of high elevation rock outcrops.