Wilderness Landscape & Natural Heritage
Mount Olympus National Park, established in 1938 and located on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State, covers a vast area of alpine and coastal ecosystems surrounding the iconic Mount Olympus, which rises to 7,980 feet, making it the highest peak in the Olympic Mountains. The park is distinguished by its temperate rainforests, expansive glaciers, alpine meadows, and wild rivers that support a wide variety of flora and fauna. The Hoh Rain Forest, one of the park’s key features, is one of the finest remaining examples of a temperate rainforest in the United States, characterized by giant Sitka spruce and western hemlock trees draped with mosses and ferns. The park also provides critical habitat for numerous species including Roosevelt elk, black bears, mountain goats, and the rare Olympic marmot, which is endemic to the area. Recreationally, the park is known for its challenging mountaineering routes on Mount Olympus, over 600 miles of hiking trails, and backcountry camping opportunities. The Hoh River Trail leading to Glacier Meadows and the summit approach is among the park's most popular routes. Other key landmarks within the park include Hurricane Ridge, offering panoramic views and accessible trails, and Lake Crescent, a glacially carved lake outside the main park boundary but within the Olympic National Forest. Visitors are drawn to the park for its striking wilderness experience, opportunities to explore multiple ecosystems in one location, and the chance to experience rugged mountain terrain combined with temperate rainforest environments.
