Located in the Pacific Northwest, Washington’s Olympic Peninsula is home to many great wonders, including the beautiful Olympic National Park. Olympic National Park is a fantastic RV getaway destination and is popular with travelers thanks to the wide range of recreational and camping facilities available within the park.
The history of the park dates back to when Native Americans used areas of the park (in particular the subalpine meadows) for fishing and hunting before European settlers arrived in North America. Once Europeans found the area it was a very popular logging location, however, resistance by locals to the industry led to the first efforts to protect this wonderful area. The park was originally designated as Mount Olympus National Monument in 1909 before becoming a national park in 1938 and finally a world heritage site in 1988.
One of the great things about Olympic National Park is that you are able to experience the best of what the Pacific Northwest region has to offer. There are four different regions in the park so you will be able to explore diverse areas, including moss-covered temperate rain forests, rocky coastline, sandy beaches, serene lakes and, of course, the stunning mountains. The western half of the park is covered with the breathtaking Olympic Mountains. Mount Olympus is the tallest of the range, towering at almost 8,000 feet high. No matter who is traveling with you, everyone will agree that this destination ticks a lot of boxes.
The park is not far from Seattle, so you may not be surprised to hear that weather in the park is typically mild, and the area receives high amounts of rainfall throughout the year. In fact, the Hoh Rainforest located within the park has been known to receive up to 12 feet of rain per year. If you are hoping to avoid some of the rains, the dry season usually falls between July and September, but you should still expect to see some precipitation, so pack accordingly. These months are also the most popular for visitors to the park. You can enjoy much of the park during the winter, spring, and fall as well if you prefer to park your rig among thinner crowds.
While much of the park is a vast wilderness, there are several areas of the park with some development, including 12 year-round campgrounds and multiple visitors’ centers. You should also be aware that the park is huge, covering almost one million acres and is 1,441 square miles in size. The park is also divided into two primary sections: the Olympic Mountains and the coastline. Please note that there are no roads that cross over the park, so you should always consider driving times when planning activities for your trip.
Speaking of activities you will have plenty to choose from, including boating, fishing, hiking, hiking, wildlife viewing, and winter recreation. If you are considering staying the night there are plenty of RV friendly campgrounds available either by reservations or on a first-come, first-served basis.