For general information, use the parkunit information link to the left, to go to the parks main internet page to access park information not related to park planning for example, park brochures, lodging and campground reservations, and general park information. Whale watching cruises are one way to spot large marine mammals, but there are also many locations near the park where you can watch right from the shore. The national park service is modifying its operations on a. The humpback whale is making a slow comeback since the practice of whaling hunting whales decimated the population in the early 1900s. Originally established as a national monument in 1909 and redesignated a national park in 1938, it preserves the olympic mountains and their magnificent forests and wildlife. With a bit of patience and luck you may catch sight of a gray whale spouting. Seattle ap olympic national park officials say a juvenile gray whale is stranded on a beach in the park.
The amazing views olympic national park has to offer are not found only on land. Review the information below for tips to increase your chances of seeing wildlife during your visit. The park is also home to endemic species like the olympic marmot and the olympic torrent salamander that can be found nowhere else in the world. A premier whale watching destination located just outside the famed olympic national park. The foundation has been working to connect children to the park to inspire a new generation to protect crucial wildlife habitat at olympic national park. Listed in the table below are olympic national parks current plans or projects. From domaine madeleine, this entrance to olympic national park is just 15 minutes away. Hello experts, thank you in advance for your advice. Response teams are caring for a live gray whale stranded in the kalaloch area of the olympic national park. Volunteers save young gray whale stranded in olympic. En route to summer feeding grounds in the bering sea and other northern waters, gray whales often navigate the coastal waters of the olympic peninsula. Olympic national park is an american national park located in the state of washington, on the olympic peninsula. Whale watch tours from the olympic peninsula island adventures. Olympic national park a week in olympic national park.
Port townsend is a 45minute drive from olympic national park, and is perhaps the best single departure point for whale watching in the continental united states. These large sea mammals usually measure between 50 and 60 feet from head to fin, and weigh over 30 tons. Prior to protection measures in the last 60 years, gray whale population numbers were critically low due to overharvesting. Olympic national park is said to be three parks in one, offering visitors a chance to see rainforests, glaciated mountains and the longest stretch of undisturbed coastal wilderness in the lower 48. I am researching ideas for how to spend those three full days and i am completely torn between vancouver island and olympic np. Common and scientific names from washington state field guidesmammals of washington. Olympic national park, ecologically diverse area occupying much of the olympic peninsula in northwestern washington, u.
Book an exciting boat ride on the waters surrounding the peninsula and uncover the amazing world of gray and humpback whales. Whale watching at olympic national park my olympic park. They can be seen feeding off the coast in late spring and summer. Visit the olympic national park in washington state. Hiking one of the olympic national park beaches, is a good alternative to snow play. Olympic national park is a place of tremendous natural diversity and breathtaking beauty with over 922,651 acres of preserved wilderness.
If you choose to visit a national park, please ensure that you follow cdc and state and local. Port angeles is a premier whale watching destination located just outside the popular olympic national park. There are at least 9 large terrestrial mammal, 50 small mammal and 14 marine mammal species known to occur in olympic national park species are listed by common name, scientific name, and occurrence. Theyre all official stops along the whale trail, a series of west coast sites from british columbia to northern california where the public can get a gander at whales, sea lions, seals and other marine mammals. Port angeles whale watching, olympic peninsula tours. What time of year is best to see whales on a day tour. The olympic peninsula might pack the most wonder per square inch of anywhere in the usa. Olympic national park is about 100 miles west of seattle as the crow flies and the ferry rides. The smithsonian magazine names port angeles, washington as one of the countrys top whalewatching destinations. Favorite whale watching spots near olympic national park port townsend marine science center. Olympic national park national park, washington, united. Ruby beach is located in the olympic peninsula on the southwest side of the olympic national park. You move carefully to avoid stepping on the newts, salamanders, and lizards that skitter around the forest floor. There are miles and miles of trails and navigable rivers in and around olympic national park, so many, in fact, that the area can be intimidating for the visitor looking to hike, mountain bike, raft, kayak, or fish.
I am thinking of going to visit either the san juan islands orcas island or olympic national park onp. Whale watching tours with puget sound express my olympic. Olympic national park, washington vacation travel guide. Watch in 360 the inside of a nuclear reactor from the size of an atom with virtual reality duration. Bryan talks with park ranger greg marsh at olympic national park about.
Look for these animals as you explore olympic national park including elk, whales, eagle plus. Continue reading dead gray whale found on olympic coast is 24th on pacific northwest beaches this year. Olympic national park is the crown jewel of washington. Just offshore, whales, dolphins, sea lions, seals, and sea otters feed in the pacific ocean. Little has changed since its first traces as a home of native american tribes and, later, its first settlements by europeans in the late 1500s. Responders free juvenile gray whale stranded on olympic national. Several hiking trails of varying levels of difficulty begin in this area, and wildlife sightings of some sort are almost guaranteed. According to noaa, the 2yearold female became stranded earlier this week just south of. Whales on the olympic coast in washington my olympic park. It was a dirty job, but so exhilarating for us to handle these enormous bones, says park whale biologist christine gabriele, who had made it her mission to create an exhibit that told snows story. Youd have to take the ferry over to victoria for whale watching trips, or if youre going to be in the san juan islands, go when youre there in august, the chances of seeing gray whales migrating along the pacific coast is low. The 24foot whale was released after responders from the national ocean.
Despite their abundance, viewing wildlife is often a matter of luck and diligence. Home to snowcapped mountains, lush rainforests, and stunning beaches, there is. Follow this guide for five memorable days of magical, awefilled forays into the olympic national park. Full of wonder and amazement around every corner, olympic national parks natural beauty stuns all who explore this unesco world heritage site. The park protects 922,650 acres on the olympic peninsula in the northwest corner of the state. Park history olympic national parks olympic peninsula wa. If youre in tacoma, skip the traffic of downtown seattle an drive up the peninsula for one of the best whale watching locations in washington state. For the next ten years, volunteers and park service staff spent more. A whales last song national parks conservation association. You could not possibly find an itinerary anywhere in the world that covers more different wonderful ways to experience water and wildlife than this oneits that unique. Can anyone recommend a whale watching excursion from port angeles. Ruby beach gets its name from rosecolored gemstone fragments found in the grey sand. Ruby beach, rialto beach and second beach are favorites any time of the year.
In recent years, the waters surrounding port angeles have become one of the leading destinations for viewing humpback whales in north america. Thats because whale watching in olympic national park offers the unique opportunity to see majestic gray whales as they migrate from their breeding grounds in baja california up the coast to the bering strait, and back again. Dead gray whale found on olympic coast is 24th on pacific. My husband and i will be in bellingham for work july 2224. If youre staying near the olympic national park or are west of seattle, port angeles is the departure location for you. Olympic national park, located along the olympic peninsula in washington state, is a very diverse region, with four distinct biospheres. Everything to know about washingtons olympic national park. A rescue effort during high tide late friday night freed a young gray whale that had been stranded on a remote beach in olympic national park. During the spring, the wildflowers in olympic national park are some of the best in the state. Port angeles isnt really a center for whale watching.
From port angeles, the comfortable island explorer 4 can head. Seven heavenly beach escapes in olympic national park. Whale watching at olympic national park whale watching cruises are one way to spot large marine mammals, but there are also many locations near the park where you can watch right from the shore. The olympic peninsula has 15 viewing spots along the pacific ocean, northern olympic peninsula coast including ferry routes between port angeles and victoria, b. Here are the top 10 reasons to visit olympic national park.
Here is a suggested itinerary for those seeking priceless moments in some of the most beautiful untouched nature on the earth. Officials with the park and noaa fisheries said thursday the whale is believed to. Let us help you begin your fantastic adventure by downloading our free. Olympic national park loop tour washington state tours. I enjoy photography and the more scenic of the two would be my. Many wild animals dwell within olympic national park. Whale watching kalaloch lodge at olympic national park. Kalaloch is among the best places in the world to watch one of natures biggest attractions. Top 10 places to view wildlife around olympic national park. Gray whale stranded on olympic national park beach the. Gray whale stranded in olympic national park youtube. When is the best time for port angeles whale watching. Just off the coast of the olympic peninsula is yet another wild habitat just begging to be explored and appreciated. Fascinating and educational olympic peninsula whale watching excursions are a mustdo for visitors of all ages.
See a photo of a hiker in an olympic national park forest from national geographic. From there enjoy a leisurely 30 minute winding ride with panoramic views up to the visitor center. That makes the 24th dead whale stranding in oregon and washington this year during the northbound migration. Download your own mammal, amphibian and reptile list. Its like three distinct parks in onemountains, coast, and rainforesttherefore i am creating three separate posts. Our work ends at 4pm on sunday july 24 and we have time for adventure until thursday, july 28 when our flight leaves seattle at 1pm. Ducking under bright green licorice ferns and lowhanging moss, you make your way through a thick forest.
Connect with a local guide or outfitter to get your trip started right. In a short period of time, we can go to wherever the whales are, whether points north, south, east, or west. This time though, the closure will be a good thing, as the reason for the lack of access is a repair to a the road leading into one of olympics most popular coastal destinations. I am visiting seattle this week and will have 34 days free midweek. You may see resident or transient orcas, gray whales and sometimes humpbacks. The park covers about 922,000 acres and was named mount olympus national monument by president theodore. At olympic national park in washington, you dont have to choosebecause it has everything. Rescue effort frees whale stranded in olympic national park. The companies advertise but just wonder when you might really see them. Leave from port angeles or port townsend for short transit times and long whale watching times. The best time of year for port angeles whale watching is from march until. As part of the olympic national park, the shoreline of ruby beach offers scenic views of mountains, glaciers, rainforests, and lots of wilderness. Your visitor guide to vacation in olympic national park.
A juvenile gray whale is stranded on a section of beach in the olympic national park, in the kalaloch. To read the entire content of this whale watching tours page, please go to. Olympic national park said a decomposing gray whale washed ashore friday morning north of kalaloch campground. Volunteers and scientists freed a young gray whale this weekend that had washed up on the shores of olympic national park.