Olympic Peninsula Major Attractions
Explore the Olympic Peninsula
Explore mountains, forests, and the beautiful coast all in one region, the Olympic Peninsula! This peninsula is so full of nature and fun activities you will never run out of ideas of what to do on a nice day.
Hiking
There is tons of hikes in this region, on beaches in the forest and up in the olympic mountains. Try out our Hurricane Ridge scenic drive or hike or hike up to beautiful Sol Duc Falls. Or maybe take a relaxed hike on the beach. Second beach trail is a short stroll but a great way to see the Washington’s coast. This is not as a relaxing hike but more as great exercise this is a 9 mile hike round trip triangle with 2 ways to get to the beach in 3 miles, this is called the Ozette loop hike. Another one is Murhut Falls. This is a great little hike with an amazing end of the trail there is a beautiful waterfall and tons of wildflowers at the end of April.
Beaches and Bodies of Water
On this peninsula there are plenty of fun, beautiful beaches to explore and relax on. One of them is called Ruby beach. It is about a 3 hour drive from the city but totally worth the time to look and explore the amazing views you will find. Rialto beach is also another great beach. This beach is full of driftwood and a sand and has excellent sunsets. Also there is Shi Shi beach. This day hike is a easy 2 mile hike to the beach, where there is also great weather there too. Another good one to go visit is Crescent Lake, here is a great spot to bring a picnic and walk along the beach or canoe/kayak or follow trails and enjoy nature. Or try Hoh River, a quiet spot to enjoy incredible views of the river.
Forest walks and scenic drives
Here in the coastal range region we have the National Olympic Forests so go and take a scenic drive or walk through the national forests and explore the plants, trees, and animals. There is also the Hoh Rain Forest. Take a look at the enchanting rainforest ecosystem up close! Or maybe pack a picnic basket and walk up to the visitors center and relax and enjoy the rainforests view. Another must see is the Quinault Rain Forests, where you will find one of the oldest spruce trees. It’s an easy hike through lush, green landscapes and plenty of dog friendly trails as well. One more thing is the Olympic Peninsula Loop Drive. This is a scenic drive goes all around the peninsula. You can also stop to go up some hiking trails as well such as the Quinault Rain forest.
Mountains
Try taking a short easy hike up Mount Walker or drive up there for great views. You can see
Rainier on most days. Or explore majestic Mount Olympus, this is a longer hike but totally worth the views you will find. Another one is Mount Ellinor. Here is a very fun hike with great views it is especially fun in the snow and sometimes you can spot wild goats!
Explore the Olympic Peninsula
Explore mountains, forests, and the beautiful coast all in one region, the Olympic Peninsula! This peninsula is so full of nature and fun activities you will never run out of ideas of what to do on a nice day.
Hiking
There is tons of hikes in this region, on beaches in the forest and up in the olympic mountains. Try out our Hurricane Ridge scenic drive or hike or hike up to beautiful Sol Duc Falls. Or maybe take a relaxed hike on the beach. Second beach trail is a short stroll but a great way to see the Washington’s coast. This is not as a relaxing hike but more as great exercise this is a 9 mile hike round trip triangle with 2 ways to get to the beach in 3 miles, this is called the Ozette loop hike. Another one is Murhut Falls. This is a great little hike with an amazing end of the trail there is a beautiful waterfall and tons of wildflowers at the end of April.
Beaches and Bodies of Water
On this peninsula there are plenty of fun, beautiful beaches to explore and relax on. One of them is called Ruby beach. It is about a 3 hour drive from the city but totally worth the time to look and explore the amazing views you will find. Rialto beach is also another great beach. This beach is full of driftwood and a sand and has excellent sunsets. Also there is Shi Shi beach. This day hike is a easy 2 mile hike to the beach, where there is also great weather there too. Another good one to go visit is Crescent Lake, here is a great spot to bring a picnic and walk along the beach or canoe/kayak or follow trails and enjoy nature. Or try Hoh River, a quiet spot to enjoy incredible views of the river.
Forest walks and scenic drives
Here in the coastal range region we have the National Olympic Forests so go and take a scenic drive or walk through the national forests and explore the plants, trees, and animals. There is also the Hoh Rain Forest. Take a look at the enchanting rainforest ecosystem up close! Or maybe pack a picnic basket and walk up to the visitors center and relax and enjoy the rainforests view. Another must see is the Quinault Rain Forests, where you will find one of the oldest spruce trees. It’s an easy hike through lush, green landscapes and plenty of dog friendly trails as well. One more thing is the Olympic Peninsula Loop Drive. This is a scenic drive goes all around the peninsula. You can also stop to go up some hiking trails as well such as the Quinault Rain forest.
Mountains
Try taking a short easy hike up Mount Walker or drive up there for great views. You can see
Rainier on most days. Or explore majestic Mount Olympus, this is a longer hike but totally worth the views you will find. Another one is Mount Ellinor. Here is a very fun hike with great views it is especially fun in the snow and sometimes you can spot wild goats!
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The Olympic Peninsula
Hurricane Ridge
Hurricane Ridge is the area that defines the Olympic Peninsula. With it’s 17-mile long stretch of a winding road through lush forests and icy peaks, offering amazing and unforgettable views.
Hurricane Ridge is the location of an old lookout tower from World War II. It got its name on an extremely windy day in 1897 when a prospector decided to go stand on top of the mountain. The 100mph winds slammed against him, making him struggle to stand. He muttered something like
“This must be a dag-gum hurricane.” and that was when the name “Hurricane Hill” and “Hurricane Ridge” began to be used to describe the area.
- Hurricane Ridge sits at an elevation of 5,242 feet and it's the perfect place to hike, ski, snowboard, fish, camp, walk along a beach and much more.
- Out of 1,410 people, 84% ( 1131 people ) reviewed that it was Excellent and only 1% ( 4 people ) of 1,410 people said it was terrible.
- On a clear day you can get a 360° view with the Straits of Juan de Fuca and Canada to the north and Mount Olympus to the south.
- Look for wildflowers such as lupine, Indian Paintbrush, and avalanche lilies. Keep a lookout for beautiful animals on the way like the spotted Towhee, Black tailed Deer, roosevelt elk, olympic marmot and the mountain goats
All great places and views for you and your family that you will remember for life.
Why Our Region is the BEST!
Our region is the best because there is less air pollution, more wildlife, and plants. So if you want a restless life, come on down to the Olympic Peninsula! Our home in the Olympic Peninsula is a pleasant, warm community. Our eco-community isn't too shabby either! We are the only region in Washington that has two thriving rain forests. We also have tons of great jobs! Fishing and logging industries used to be huge but they have gone down lately so if you want a job in the fishing industry, logging industry, or just want to go hunting, then the Olympic Peninsula is the place for you! Out here we boast a stress-free environment that will be sure to give you the R&R you need. So if you need a job or some relaxation come straight down to the Olympic Peninsula!
There is a whole bunch of wild life too, from coyotes to lynxes and from wolves to cougars there are so many different types of animals big, small, fat, and skinny. And we have lots of beautiful plants here as well. Did you know that we have some of the oldest living spruce trees? We also have lots of different types of flowers here like lilies, lupine, daisies, daffodils, and more.
Also there is so many fun stuff to do here you will never run out of ideas on what to do! Like hiking, fishing, beaches to go too, camping,and much more! There are so many different type of fish like salmon, trout and, some types of bass!
The hunting is sweat. I bet right when you get out there you can get a deer, elk or anything else you're looking for! The elk are huge in some parts of the Olympic peninsula and there is also mountain goats, black bears sea otters, harbor seals, and migratory gray whales.
1. Hiking: There are a lot of trails and mountains for you to climb, like Sol Duc trails, Mount Ellinor Trail, Hurricane Hill trail, Marymere, and the Hoh River trail.
2. Beaches: Shi Shi Beach, Point of the Arches, and the Cape Alva Loop. (Ruby Beach #2 on top 10 things to do, and also Rialto Beach)
3. Here is the only place in Washington where there is an actual living rain forests that are just absolutely beautiful there is so much wildlife and so much to explore!
4. Camping spots: There are so many different camping spots. Like Lake Ozette, Graves Creek and much more!
Our region is the best because there is less air pollution, more wildlife, and plants. So if you want a restless life, come on down to the Olympic Peninsula! Our home in the Olympic Peninsula is a pleasant, warm community. Our eco-community isn't too shabby either! We are the only region in Washington that has two thriving rain forests. We also have tons of great jobs! Fishing and logging industries used to be huge but they have gone down lately so if you want a job in the fishing industry, logging industry, or just want to go hunting, then the Olympic Peninsula is the place for you! Out here we boast a stress-free environment that will be sure to give you the R&R you need. So if you need a job or some relaxation come straight down to the Olympic Peninsula!
There is a whole bunch of wild life too, from coyotes to lynxes and from wolves to cougars there are so many different types of animals big, small, fat, and skinny. And we have lots of beautiful plants here as well. Did you know that we have some of the oldest living spruce trees? We also have lots of different types of flowers here like lilies, lupine, daisies, daffodils, and more.
Also there is so many fun stuff to do here you will never run out of ideas on what to do! Like hiking, fishing, beaches to go too, camping,and much more! There are so many different type of fish like salmon, trout and, some types of bass!
The hunting is sweat. I bet right when you get out there you can get a deer, elk or anything else you're looking for! The elk are huge in some parts of the Olympic peninsula and there is also mountain goats, black bears sea otters, harbor seals, and migratory gray whales.
1. Hiking: There are a lot of trails and mountains for you to climb, like Sol Duc trails, Mount Ellinor Trail, Hurricane Hill trail, Marymere, and the Hoh River trail.
2. Beaches: Shi Shi Beach, Point of the Arches, and the Cape Alva Loop. (Ruby Beach #2 on top 10 things to do, and also Rialto Beach)
3. Here is the only place in Washington where there is an actual living rain forests that are just absolutely beautiful there is so much wildlife and so much to explore!
4. Camping spots: There are so many different camping spots. Like Lake Ozette, Graves Creek and much more!
Climate and Geography of the Olympic Peninsula
The weather in the Olympic Peninsula is greatly affected by the location that area is in. The Olympic Peninsula is right by the ocean, therefore it has an oceanic climate. Because of this, the temperatures in this region stay somewhat the same all throughout the year.
As said in the previous paragraph, the Olympic Peninsula is right by the ocean. Because of this, the Olympic Peninsula used to have a big fishing industry. Now it has declined to a hobby or pastime.
The Olympic Peninsula is the home of the Olympic National Park. Because of this, the logging industry in this area was really big. Now, the industry is declining because of the new federal timber supply changes. But if you’re a hiker or a nature buff, there’s still so much to do and see in the Olympic Peninsula!
The Olympic Peninsula is also home to Washington's Navy base, Kitsap, which is located in the town of Westport, just south of Ocean Shores. Willapa National Wildlife Refuge is also located in this region. The Wildlife Refuge is popular for things like hiking and camping.
The Olympic Peninsula also contains the Olympic Mountains and the Olympic National Forest. The Olympic National Forest is a pleasant, calming area that you will love going to over and over! The Olympic National Forest takes up 628,115 acres. It almost completely surrounds the Olympic Mountain Range and the Olympic National Park.
The Olympic Peninsula is surrounded by the by the Pacific Ocean (to the west), the Strait of Juan De Fuca (to the North), the Puget Sound Lowlands (to the east), and the Columbia River (to the south). We, at the Olympic Peninsula, are the westernmost part of Washington, and provide a great view of the Pacific Ocean.
Geography-wise, rainforest vegetation takes up much of the western part of this region, even though we have a mountain range in the center. Our National Park encompasses 1,441 square miles of the peninsula and “The 73 miles of park coastline feature soaring cliffs and sea stacks, sandy beaches rocky shores and teeming tide pools” says National Geographic.
In short, the Olympic Peninsula is an amazing place to be, see you there soon!
The weather in the Olympic Peninsula is greatly affected by the location that area is in. The Olympic Peninsula is right by the ocean, therefore it has an oceanic climate. Because of this, the temperatures in this region stay somewhat the same all throughout the year.
As said in the previous paragraph, the Olympic Peninsula is right by the ocean. Because of this, the Olympic Peninsula used to have a big fishing industry. Now it has declined to a hobby or pastime.
The Olympic Peninsula is the home of the Olympic National Park. Because of this, the logging industry in this area was really big. Now, the industry is declining because of the new federal timber supply changes. But if you’re a hiker or a nature buff, there’s still so much to do and see in the Olympic Peninsula!
The Olympic Peninsula is also home to Washington's Navy base, Kitsap, which is located in the town of Westport, just south of Ocean Shores. Willapa National Wildlife Refuge is also located in this region. The Wildlife Refuge is popular for things like hiking and camping.
The Olympic Peninsula also contains the Olympic Mountains and the Olympic National Forest. The Olympic National Forest is a pleasant, calming area that you will love going to over and over! The Olympic National Forest takes up 628,115 acres. It almost completely surrounds the Olympic Mountain Range and the Olympic National Park.
The Olympic Peninsula is surrounded by the by the Pacific Ocean (to the west), the Strait of Juan De Fuca (to the North), the Puget Sound Lowlands (to the east), and the Columbia River (to the south). We, at the Olympic Peninsula, are the westernmost part of Washington, and provide a great view of the Pacific Ocean.
Geography-wise, rainforest vegetation takes up much of the western part of this region, even though we have a mountain range in the center. Our National Park encompasses 1,441 square miles of the peninsula and “The 73 miles of park coastline feature soaring cliffs and sea stacks, sandy beaches rocky shores and teeming tide pools” says National Geographic.
In short, the Olympic Peninsula is an amazing place to be, see you there soon!
