| Although referred to as three parks in one | | | | this visiting the park for a brief time will |
| sometimes the Olympic National Park is really | | | | not do it justice. So, plan a couple days or |
| just one park that encompasses several | | | | at the very least one full day to dedicate to |
| ecosystems. The three ecosystems that divide | | | | exploring the beauty of Olympic National |
| the park are the rainforest, Olympic | | | | Park. |
| mountains, and the Pacific coastline. Olympic | | | | |
| National Park is located in the upper | | | | Some of the best things to do in the park, |
| northwestern corner of the state in an area | | | | for those who don't know, include the |
| known as the Olympic Peninsula. | | | | following. Doing these activities will ensure |
| | | | you get the best of the park. You should |
| The park is very interesting to visit because | | | | definitely climb all 7,965 feet of Mt. |
| of its location and its three different | | | | Olympus. Also, backpack the 57 miles of coast |
| ecosystems, but also because there are | | | | and raft the rivers. Hike the Grand Ridge |
| species there that are not anywhere else on | | | | Trail that is above the tree line and |
| earth. The reason why is the mountain range | | | | provides unbelievable views from a very |
| closes the peninsula off from the rest of the | | | | precarious trail. Sea kayak the coast of the |
| land and certain species evolved here that | | | | park, soak in the hot springs, and watch the |
| did not elsewhere. The park is a biological | | | | salmon migrate. If you can fit all of these |
| reserve and it is studied on a regular basis | | | | activities into your vacation to the park |
| to better understand what makes the park so | | | | then you will certainly get the best |
| special and how animals evolved here. | | | | experience possible. |
| | | | |
| Tourists love the Olympic National Park | | | | There is a website that has great information |
| because of the beauty, nature, and outdoor | | | | on USA Vacations and Unique Travel Spots |
| sports like hiking and backpacking. It is | | | | Listed State By State and Season, the website |
| especially cool to backpack along the beach | | | | is called: Seasonal Vacation Spots, and can |
| for several days. This is no problem because | | | | be found at this url: |
| the coastline is very long and provides the | | | | |
| perfect place for backpackers to trek through | | | | By Robert W. Benjamin |
| the natural beauty. Hurricane Ridge is a | | | | |
| great place within the park to visit during | | | | Copyright © 2007 |
| the winter months for the Nordic and alpine | | | | |
| skiing. | | | | You may publish this article in your ezine, |
| | | | newsletter, or on your web site as long as it |
| There are several roads on the peninsula, but | | | | is reprinted in its entirety and without |
| none of them make it into the depths of the | | | | modification except for formatting needs or |
| peninsula rendering much of it wilderness | | | | grammar corrections. |
| that may only be explored on foot. Because of | | | | |