
A herd of Roosevelt Elk cross a river in Olympic.
Photo: NPS Photo/Jon Preston
With its incredible range of precipitation and elevation, diversity is the hallmark of Olympic National Park. Encompassing nearly a million acres, the park protects a vast wilderness, thousands of years of human history, and several distinctly different ecosystems, including glacier-capped mountains, old-growth temperate rain forests, and over 70 miles of wild coastline. Come explore!
You can reach Olympic National Park via the I-5 corridor or by any one of the quieter state roadways. Once you arrive on the Olympic Peninsula connect to Hwy 101 to reach any destinations in and around Olympic National Park. From Olympia: take I-5 to Hwy 101 From Tacoma: take State Route 16 to Bremerton; take State Route 3 north from Bremerton to State Route 104. From Washington/Oregon Coast connect to Hwy 101 in Aberdeen.
Get directions →Summers tend to be fair and warm, with high temperatures between 65 and 75 degrees F. July, August and September are the driest months, with heavier precipitation during the rest of the year. While winters are mild at lower elevation, snowfall can be heavy in the mountains. It is common for different weather conditions to exist within the park at the same time. At any time of year, visitors should come prepared for a variety of conditions.
Crews Extinguish Two Small Lightning Fires, Continue to Work Mt. Barnes and Mount Tom Creek Fires
Firefighters extinguished two small lightning fires in Olympic National Park on Tuesday. The Maiden 2 fire had burned 0.7 acres near a ridgeline approximately 1 mile north of Maiden Peak. A single tree fire near Deer Park Campground was also extinguished. Both fires were ignited during last weekend’s lightning storm.
Bat Tests Positive for Rabies at Olympic National Park
A rabid bat was found at Olympic National Park near Staircase Bridge on August 9th. Anyone who may have had contact with a bat in the area (even if not bitten) should contact a healthcare provider and their local health department promptly to determine whether treatment is needed.
Sourdough Mountain Fire Extinguished, Buckets Dropped on Mount Tom Creek Fire
Fire crews extinguished the Sourdough Mountain Fire on August 10. The fire had burned less than one acre on the southern slope of Sourdough Mountain, approximately 0.5 miles below the Aurora Ridge Trail. Over the weekend, air resources responded to increased activity on the Mount Tom Creek Fire. Water buckets were dropped on the fire on Monday.