OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK

WASHINGTON

Diversity is the hallmark of Olympic National Park. The park contains 922,651 acres of three distinctly different ecosystems - rugged glacier-capped mountains, more than 60 miles of wild Pacific coast and magnificent stands of old-growth and temperate rain forest. Diversity reigns on a smaller scale as well, with over 1,100 species of native plants, 300 species of birds and 70 species of mammals.

Interwoven throughout this diversity is an array of cultural and historic sites that tell the human story of the park. The heritage and tradition of local communities and eight affiliated Tribes are closely and directly linked to the park and provide important meaning to the landscape.

DID YOU KNOW

• Ninety five percent of the park is designated wilderness, offering visitors a chance to experience the park's amazing diversity in its natural and pristine state.
• The isolation and diverse habitats of the Olympic Peninsula have led to the development of a variety of endemic species -- at least 15 kinds of animals and 8 kinds of plants are found at Olympic and no where else on earth.
• Olympic protects 3,500 miles of streams, rivers and creeks, which provide home to 29 species of native freshwater fish. These waterways are also host to 54 unique populations of Pacific salmon and steelhead, which use both fresh and saltwater during their life cycle.
• Olympic National Park is recognized as an area of global significance, and is designated as both a World Heritage Site and an International Biosphere Reserve. Only nine U.S. parks have been honored in this way.

DON'T MISS ATTRACTIONS

• On clear days, Hurricane Ridge boasts stunning views of both the Olympic Mountains and the Strait of Juan de Fuca. On foggy days, the close-up views of subalpine firs, wildflowers or snow (depending on the month!) are just as beautiful.
• Entering the temperate rain forest at the Hoh, Quinault or Queets valleys is like entering a world of green. Over 12 feet of rain fall in these valleys each year, creating a forest where trees reach over 200 feet in height and are covered with carpets of ferns, mosses and other epiphytes.
• When the tide recedes, tidepools offer glimpses of a world apart. Giant green anemones wave their tentacles alongside orange and purple sea stars, while limpets graze on tiny algae. Be sure to check tide charts before you venture out - tidepools are covered by sea water half of the time!
• With more than 600 miles of trail, there's endless opportunity for discovery at Olympic. A number of universally accessible trails are available, providing close-up views of beach, forest and meadow for visitors of all ages, whether on foot, in wheelchairs or riding in strollers.

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE PRIORITIES

The National Park Service is leading the effort to restore the Elwha River ecosystem and its native anadromous fisheries. The Elwha River is the largest watershed within Olympic National Park and home to all five species of Pacific salmon, as well as other fish species. Prior to the construction of two hydroelectric dams in the early 1900s, the Elwha was one of the most productive salmon streams in the Pacific Northwest. Along with the City of Port Angeles, the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the Bureau of Reclamation, Olympic National Park is working to finalize design for a new water treatment plant, slated to be built next year. Dam removal is scheduled to begin in 2008, after the treatment plant has been completed.

A General Management Plan (GMP) is currently under development for Olympic National Park. When complete, the plan will provide a vision for the park's future and will guide resource protection and management for the next 15 to 20 years. Hundreds of individuals, along with area tribes, organized groups and state and local agencies, have already participated in the plan's development by attending meetings or submitting written comments. Additional public participation will be invited next year, when the draft GMP is slated for release to the public.

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LINKS:

Olympic National Park»

Partnering & Managing for Excellence Report»

Previously Featured Parks»