Embracing the diverse environments of green verdant and ice-capped mountains, resplendent valleys, hot springs, and Pacific continental coastline is the Olympic National Park in Washington state.Located on the Olympian Peninsula, the national park enfolds the Pacific coastlines and alpines, lush temperate rainforest to its west, and deciduous patches to its east. Enclasping a sundry of ecosystems like the rich and vivid sub-alpines, wildflower meadows, temperate forests, and rugged pastel coastlines, the park is tainted with diversity and exhibits an exemplary range of beauty, engrossing the visitors in its charm and grace.Who doesn’t love exploring such national parks that are blessed with much vividness and a serene and splendor of temperate rainforests? Read more about the Olympic national park here and it will definitely impel you to backpack for this beguiling beauty! After reading the facts about Olympic National Park, also check Yosemite National Park Facts and Zion National Park facts.What is the Olympic national park known for?The Olympic national park welcomes around 2.5 million visitors a year. Apart from its picturesque landscapes, what attracts the people to fly here on holidays?Apart from its scenic environs, one can get lost in a world of fantasy here. The park treasures outdoor adventures, comfy accommodations, and reviving road trips to freshen your spirits up. If you are searching for a perfect spot for camping and backcountry exploration, then Olympic park has it all! With its snow-based activities, wooded expanses at the other end an extensive shoreline, the park displays its vivid and rich flora and fauna. With antlers, whales, and salmons among many, the national park is a sought-after destination for wildlife lovers.Untamed rivers traverse through the stunning wilderness meandering from the ice-capped mountains through the Olympic National Forest and finally hitting the welcoming shorelines. Bestowing hiking trails and they offer endless recreational possibilities for sightseeing, adventuring, and a heart encapsulating zone a few kilometers from town. You would love to hike and camp in the temperate forest, climb the rugged peaks, spend winters, and ski along with the cycling -white-washed mountains.Did you know that it was almost named Elk National Park at one point in time!You can catch glimpses of high tides washing the cliffs in the narrowest part of beaches, as in Seven Lakes Basin. In the winter, the viewpoint of Hurricane Ridge of the park is buzzed with tourists for winter sports. The Hurricane Ridge Winter Sports Club organizes skiing and snowboards in the alpine ski zones. The Hurricane Ridge Viewpoint gifts a panoramic view of the entire park and plunges you and grips all your senses. You can ply across the Elwah and Hoh rivers and enjoy rafting along with their jumps and flows. Lake Crescent and Lake Quinault are also worth exploring.The Elwha Restoration Project, the second largest in the history of the National Park Service has added to the conservation of the park’s rich flora and fauna. You might even be fortunate enough to spot chipmunks, red foxes, skunks, snowshoe hares, and Canadian lynxes in the green patches of the park. The park is also home to Winter wrens, Canada jays, Wilson’s warblers, Blue grouses, Red crossbills, Golden-crowned kinglets, Swainson’s thrushes, Hermit thrushes, western tanagers, and band-tailed pigeons.How big is the Olympic national park?The Olympic National Park has an area of 1,055 sq mi (2,734 sq km) and is a hide-out of the rich wilderness, a distinct human history, a multitude of ecosystems, and houses various endangered and endemic species of flora and fauna in its vast expanse of land.The national park alone marks over 70 mi (112 km) of coastline. The park is the largest protected area in the temperate region of the world and beholds ecosystems with varying climatic conditions and therefore varying recreational activities. Since the late 19th century, the park has grown in its area and status.How old is Olympic national park?The park was designated as Mount Olympus National Monument on the second of March, 1909 by then-President Theodor Roosevelt.The Olympic National Park was established on the 29th of June, 1938. Later in 1976, it was re-designated as a national park by the Congress-led by then-President Franklin D Roosevelt. The same year, UNESCO plumped the park as an International Biosphere Reserve and as World Heritage Site in 1981.Is Olympic national park safe?Filled with wilderness, the park not only bewilders us with its scenery and natural wonders but also camouflages potential hazards. The National Park Service clearly species that the safety of tourists is not guaranteed.However, there are certain guidelines enforced, that the travelers are obliged to follow for the protection of fellow tourists and park resources. Being a land with rich wildlife, the inherent risks can’t be denied. You are to read the regulations clearly specified on their website for a safe journey. Do not startle, harass or feed the animals and keep a distance of about fifty yards, failing to which fine will be imposed.Make sure that you take appropriate precautions while traversing through ice sheets, while boating, hiking, and rafting. Get yourself a tide chart while hiking along the shorelines. Enjoy the adventure not compromising on the safety measures.Best Time Of The Year To Visit Olympic National ParkWith extreme highs and lows in climate and ecosystems, it’s always good to know the apt time to visit this national park. Reading this, tie your laces to have some relaxed and fun time here.Throughout July and August, the temperature is usually mild and warm and there will be dozens of activities and programs awaiting you. However, don’t be disappointed for there are seasonal activities throughout the year. The park is open 24 hours a day and from October through May, some roads, visitor facilities, and campgrounds may be inaccessible for the tourists.In May-June, the weather is usually warmer and the seasonal campgrounds await the tourists in the Olympic Forest Reserve. Swing from harsh temperatures to rain with thunderstorms, July-August is the best time to hover around the ridges and meadows and pristine beaches. There will be a dip in temperature in September-October but few of the campgrounds remain closed. If you want to catch hold of bewitching snow-capped mountains, November to April will be the best.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for 17 Fun And Interesting Facts About Olympic National Park! then why not take a look at Acadia National Park facts, or glacier national park facts.
Embracing the diverse environments of green verdant and ice-capped mountains, resplendent valleys, hot springs, and Pacific continental coastline is the Olympic National Park in Washington state.
