The Olympic Peninsula is a diverse region in northwest Washington known for its rugged coastline, temperate rainforests, and Olympic National Park. It offers many outdoor adventures like hiking, fishing, kayaking, and more. Major attractions include the Hoh and Quinault rainforests, Hurricane Ridge, and the coastal towns of La Push and Port Townsend with their Native American and Victorian history.

1. Media Kit
2011

2. Located in Washington’s northwest corner, the Olympic Peninsula is a land like no
other. It is both environmentally and culturally rich from the jigsaw coastlines,
temperate rainforests, and glacial-capped peaks of Olympic National Park to the
organic farms and wineries of the Dungeness Valley to the cultural centers of
native tribes in La Push and Neah Bay and the the Victorian history of Port
Townsend. There’s an adventure for every age and spirit here.
Hurricane Ridge
Photo courtesy Val Herschel

3. Pick your Adventure
Olympic Peninsula, often referred to as one of the “Secret
Places” of Washington State, is a natural world that has
escaped the effects of mankind – Where else can you
snowshoe in the morning and kayak in the afternoon.
Travelers to the peninsula can chose from kayaking,
rafting, canoeing, scuba diving, or stand-up paddle
boarding in the lakes, rivers and ocean. The Olympic
Peninsula is also home to some of the Pacific Northwest's
Photo courtesy Gary Luhn
most fertile fishing grounds. Fly fishing in the Sol Duc
River's perfect, pristine environment grants a special year
around pleasure for fishermen of all levels. On land,
explore the fresh and saltwater shorelines, try a guided
hike through the Hoh and Quinault rainforests, bike the
Adventure Trail, snowshoe atop Hurricane Ridge, hunt for
waterfalls, watch for whales, or relax in Sol Duc Hot
Springs.
Photo courtesy Jodi Riverstone

4. Olympic National Park- a Modern-day Eden
The Olympic Peninsula is home to the 1,400 square mile
Olympic National Park. The park is often referred to as “three
parks in one” because of its three distinctly different
ecosystems: the Pacific coastline, the Olympic Mountains and
the primeval forests. These diverse ecosystems are still
largely pristine due to its wilderness designation.
Lake Crescent
The wild and rugged coastline along the Pacific Ocean Photo courtesy Lonnie Archibald
stretches over 70 miles and is the longest undeveloped coast
in the contiguous United States. The extensive alpine forests
are home to some of the world's largest conifers, towering
300 feet tall and measuring 25 feet around. Among the
ancient forests of old-growth trees exists one of only two
temperate rainforests in the Northern Hemisphere. The
rugged Olympic mountains, home to the snow-capped Mount
Olympus and over 60 glaciers, are thought to be beautiful
enough for the gods to dwell.
Hoh Rainforest
Photo courtesy Jodi Riverstone

5. Olympic Peninsula Waterfall Trail – A Magical Misty Tour
The Waterfall Trail is a wonderful way to enjoy some of the best of
the Olympic Peninsula's natural wonders. It is a self-guided tour
featuring two dozen waterfalls, with more being added in
2011. Some of the falls are wheelchair accessible while others
require backcountry hiking. A few are best viewed from the water
via a boat or raft. Some are in the temperate rain forests of the
peninsula, some are in the back country and some are along the
eastern slopes of the Olympic Mountains in the Hood Canal area.
There is a special waterfall for every visitor to claim as their favorite.
This year-round tour will inspire excitement for viewing waterfalls as
well as a great sense of adventure in finding them.
Share your experiences and photos on the website and join the
waterfall community on Facebook: Olympic Peninsula Waterfall Trail.
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6. Olympic Discovery Trail – One of America’s Premier
Trail Systems!
The Olympic Discovery Trail (ODT), located along the northern
coast of the Olympic Peninsula traverses over 120 miles of
lowlands between the Olympic Mountains and the Strait of
Juan de Fuca. The Olympic Discovery Trail runs through many
different types of terrain, several towns, two counties, Olympic
National Park, and Native American tribal jurisdictions on its
route across the northern Olympic Peninsula. The trail is
shared by bicycles, through-riders, equestrians, walkers,
runners and various types of pet-walkers.
Another feature of the trail is the Adventure Route. The
Adventure Route is being built by Clallam County volunteers as
an adjunct to the Olympic Discovery Trail for active mountain
bikers and horsemen.

7. Be a Culinary Explorer on the Olympic Culinary Loop
The Olympic Culinary Loop is a group of people who grow, harvest,
catch and ultimately serve the Peninsula’s bounty that we call
Olympic Coast Cuisine. Experiencing all that’s local is an adventure,
and for many a fist time experience. There is something magical
about smelling the earth on a farm tour, petting the soft velvety nose
of a Jersey cow, or literally eating your way through a farmer’s
market with music filling the bright autumn day.
Chefs around the Culinary Loop are creating dining experiences that
are quintessentially “Northwest” and have defined it as Olympic
Coast Cuisine. From the raw ingredients to the methods of
preparation, some following traditional native culture preparation,
eating your way around the Peninsula will be memorable. Wines,
ciders and craft beers have also become a staple in Olympic Coast
Cuisine.

8. Wildlife and the Whale Trail
The Olympic Peninsula offers outstanding opportunities to
learn about and see native wildlife. Due to the geological
separation of the Olympic Peninsula from other regions by
water and lowlands, Olympic National Park provides habitat
to more than eight plant and 18 animal species that cannot
be found anywhere else in the world!
Along Highway 112, one of the newest Scenic Byways,
you’ll find locations designated as viewpoints for the Whale
Trail. In 2010 the Whale Trail was officially opened with 20
marked sites. The Trail aims to educate travelers about the
local Orca and marine mammal populations and their
environments. On the peninsula this new trail traverses
from Puget Sound to La Push. A sign designates each
official site and displays information about the whales and
other marine mammals that are known to frequent the area.
In 2011 the trail hopes to double in size.
Rialto Beach
Photo courtesy Jodi Riverstone

9. Elwha Dam Removal
The largest dam removal in U.S. history begins on September
17! To celebrate this milestone, Olympic National Park, the
Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe and numerous local organizations
are planning a multi-day kick-off event during the weekend of
September 17-18.
Removal of the Glines Canyon and Elwha dams on the Elwha
River will continue over the next 2 ½ to three years. The 210-
foot Glines Canyon Dam will be the tallest dam ever removed
in U.S. history. Dam removal, revegetation efforts and other
restoration work is intended to restore the Elwha’s legendary
salmon runs and the ecosystem of an entire river valley.
Removing both the 105-foot Elwha Dam and the 210-foot
Glines Canyon dam will once again allow five species of
Pacific salmon, as well as steelhead, coastal cutthroat trout
and bull trout to return to more than 70 miles of pristine
spawning habitat in the river and its tributaries.
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10. Native Cultures
Learn about Local Cultures
The Olympic Peninsula was an Eden for its early inhabitants
and today, Native Americans are still a strong presence. In •Check out Makah artisan wares at
fact, Olympic National Park is close to the reservations of the Makah Cultural and Research
several tribes. The Skokomish, Chehalis, Hoh, Quinault, Center
Quileute, Makah and three S'Klallam tribes live on the •Watch a demonstration at the
Olympic Peninsula, a land of abundant natural resources, S’Klallam carving house
and from it, they have built a rich culture here. •Visit the Quileutes at the Quileute
The world-famous Makah Cultural and Research Center in Oceanside Resort in LaPush
Neah Bay has been open since 1975 and it is the nation’s
finest tribal museum with 500 year old artifacts such as
tools, canoes, basketry and a full size log house!
The tribes of the Olympic Peninsula are stewards of the
Peninsula’s resources and partners in preservation. They
retain strong cultural traditions and are committed to having
their youth carry forward traditional knowledge and Native
language.
Photo courtesy Jodi Riverstone

11. Welcome to the Land of Twilight
Step into the land of Twilight across the Olympic
Peninsula to retrace the lives of our beloved
Twilight characters. Yes, we really live here and
you can experience first-hand the feeling of being
enveloped in the rain forest. Participate in the
Twilight phenomenon in Port Angeles, Forks and
LaPush. Take an organized Twilight tour or pick up
the map and trivia questions at the Forks Chamber
of Commerce to create your own, self-guided tour. Click map to enlarge
Must-dos for true Twilight fans include having a
meal at Bella Italia, a self-guided tour of La Push
and Forks, and taking a photo with Bella’s truck
located at the Forks Visitors Center.

12. Media Contacts
Amy Shadell
Amy@adventuremedianews.com
970.568.7423
Mary Brelsford
Mary@olympicpeninsula.org Beaver Falls
Photo courtesy Lani Doely
360.452.8552
www.olympicpeninsula.org
@VisitOlympics
Shi Shi Beach
Photo courtesy Jodi Riverstone