Enchanting Ecosystems

Discover the 4 diverse ecosystems that make up Olympic National Park, then pick your favorite and create a diorama of it to display!

The Living Forest!

Explore the different flora and fauna that make the Olympic Rainforests unique! Then get outside and make a nature mandala!

Scat & Tracks

Pick up this fun book to help you identify scat & tracks at Olympic National Park! Animals are everywhere, even if we don’t always see them!

Double Feature

Watch this cool video that follows killer whales off the coast of Olympic National Park, then go whale watching yourselves on the coastlines!

A Salmon Revival

Find out about the largest Dam removal in the history of the United States, and what it means for the salmon at Olympic. Finish off with a salmon dinner using this recipe!

Tide Pool Mania

Olympic National Park is full of rugged coastline creating many unique tide pools. Check out this short article to see what you might find at different tides!

Best Time to Visit

• Summer (June to September): This is the most popular time, with mild temperatures, blooming wildflowers, and clear skies.
• Fall (October to November): Fall foliage adds a burst of color to the park, and crowds become very thin. The weather remains relatively mild, making it a fantastic time for hiking.
• Winter (December to February): Snow blankets the higher elevations. Winter sports enthusiasts can enjoy snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Some parts of the park will be closed to visitors during the winter months.
• Spring (March to May): Spring is a quieter time to visit, with fewer crowds but lush greenery and blooming wildflowers.

Points of Interest

1. Hurricane Ridge: Offers breathtaking panoramic views of the Olympic Mountains + Hiking trails that cater to all skill levels.
2. Hoh Rainforest: A lush, enchanting rainforest with moss-covered trees and unique plant life. The Hall of Mosses Trail is a must.
3. Ruby Beach: Known for its sea stacks and tide pools, Ruby Beach is a picturesque spot along the Pacific coastline.

• Map
• Hiking Guide Book – great for backpacking, and day hikes.
• The Best of Olympic National Park – guide book with a wide range of information from picnic spots to wildlife viewing & family travel.
• Falcon Guides Easy Day Hikes – guide detailing the best easy day hikes in the park.

Overview

Olympic National Park will always be one of our family’s favorite places precisely because it is so diverse! It has oceans and coastline, mountains and glaciers, rainforests and abundant wildlife. Learning about this unique destination will have you wanting to visit as soon as possible. Here is a brief overview of its history.

NATIVE INHABITANTS

Long before Olympic National Park became a protected area, the region was home to indigenous peoples, including the Quileute, Hoh, Quinault, and Makah tribes.

These Native American communities lived in harmony with the diverse ecosystems of the Olympic Peninsula for thousands of years.

These tribes shared a close relationship with the natural world, incorporating the surrounding environment into their spiritual beliefs and daily lives. Cedar, salmon, and other natural resources held cultural significance, and intricate art and storytelling traditions conveyed their histories and beliefs.

European Contact: The arrival of European explorers and settlers in the late 18th century brought significant changes to the lives of the native inhabitants. Contact with European diseases, forced relocations, and changes in land use disrupted traditional ways of life, leading to significant challenges for these communities.

Reservation Period: As European-American settlement continued, the U.S. government established reservations for many Native American tribes, altering their traditional territories. Despite the challenges, the tribes persisted in maintaining their cultural heritage and traditions.

Present Day: Today, despite all the hardship, the tribes work to preserve their heritage and long-standing traditions — playing vital roles in the cultural and economic life of the Olympic Peninsula. They actively participate in the stewardship of natural resources and are important partners in the management of Olympic National Park, contributing to the preservation of the region’s cultural and ecological heritage.

EXPLORATION AND SETTLEMENT OF OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK

European exploration in the late 18th century brought Spanish and British navigators to the area. The Spanish explored the coast, while the British, led by George Vancouver, mapped the intricate waterways.

The 19th century saw increased European-American settlement, with the establishment of trading posts and logging operations.

PRESERVATION EFFORTS & CREATION OF OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK

Concerns about the rapid deforestation and exploitation of natural resources in the late 19th and early 20th centuries prompted conservationists to advocate for the protection of the Olympic Peninsula.

One of the key figures in this movement was President Theodore Roosevelt, who designated Mount Olympus National Monument in 1909.

In 1938, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed a bill that elevated Mount Olympus National Monument to the status of Olympic National Park.

This designation expanded the protected area to include not only the majestic mountain but also the surrounding rainforests, alpine meadows, and Pacific coastline. The park was officially dedicated on June 29, 1938.

BIOSPHERE RESERVE

In 1976, the park was designated as an International Biosphere Reserve, highlighting its importance in preserving global biodiversity.

Today, Olympic National Park stands as a testament to the ongoing efforts to preserve natural treasures for future generations.

Visitors can explore its diverse landscapes, from the towering peaks of the Olympic Mountains to the ancient rainforests and rugged coastal shores, experiencing the wild beauty that has been safeguarded for decades.

Quick Links:

Timeline – detailed timeline of human history in the park – 5 min.

Ancient Peoples – great article with more details on the area tribes.

Area Tribes – Same article as above but in PDF form for easy printing.

Early Exploration – Quick article detailing more information on early exploration of the park.

Settlement – quick article overview of the settlement of euro-american people in the area. On the right hand side you’ll find additional articles for specific areas in the park.

History – quick article on the history of the park with additional information on the history of the resorts in the area.

The Warring Dragons – legend of Sol Duc Hot Springs – quick read and a fun one to memorize and retell when visiting the springs.

Lady of the Lake – quick read – a true murder mystery that took place at Crescent Lake – for older kids.

Cultural Sites – detailed list of all historical, arts and cultural sites you can visit in the area.

Women in the Park – a unique exhibition on womens contribution to the pacific north west (coming end of 2023).

Our family did a 4 part video series of our time at Olympic National Park. We love creating these family journals and hope you enjoy them as well!

Beautiful high quality footage from all over the Park. Great to put on in the background while working on a project or something as a family.

Quick video from National Geographic of the marmots that call olympic national park home!

If you love legends this documentary follows on the trail of Bigfoot and his appearances in Olympic National Park.

Quick video by National Geographic of the Sea Otters that live off the coast of Olympic National Park.

Documentary following the Orcas of Olympic National Park! Great to watch if you’re interested in Whales!

Video with information on Photographing the park, great for aspiring photographers!

The largest dam removal in history!

The Elwha River Restoration Project stands as a landmark conservation effort within Olympic National Park, aiming to restore the natural flow and vitality of the Elwha River ecosystem. Initiated in 2011, this ambitious project marked one of the most significant dam removals in U.S. history.

For nearly a century, the Elwha River faced ecological disruption due to the presence of two large dams – the Elwha Dam and the Glines Canyon Dam. These structures impeded the natural migration of salmon, altered sediment flow, and affected the overall health of the river ecosystem.

Elwha Restoration – current ongoing research regarding the river restoration project.

Research Publications – a collection of publications centered around the Elwha River restoration.

How to Tear Down a Dam – a PDF showing the stages of dam removal – great way to visually see the steps.

Interactive Earth – rendering of Glines Canyon Dam removal process.

Webisodes – a series of short videos about the restoration project.

Additional Science Fun

Olympic NP Puzzle – 100 Pieces

Olympic NP Vintage Puzzle – 1000 Pieces

National Parks Pursuit – trivia board game

Trekking the National Parks – award winning strategy board game.

Get Wild – national parks quick rolling dice game, fun for families!

National Parks Quater Collection – book/map for collecting national parks quaters!

Olympic National Park Puzzle – 1000 pieces

Would You Rather – Road Trip Game – easy to play in the long car rides.

PARKS – National Parks board game – strategy game for ages 10+

TRAILS – Fairly easy strategy game, great for families.

Monopoly – national parks version!

National Parks OPOLY Jr. – monopoly for kids – we love monopoly because it teaches basic economics too!

What’s Included: