What was once a forest along the Copalis River less than a mile upstream from the town of Copalis is now a cluster of preserved tree trunks stripped of their branches. They stand as scientific proof of the great Japanese …
Continue readingThe Big Cedar Tree—One of Olympic National Park’s hidden gems
Discover one of the impressive trees in the Pacific Northwest, a nearly 1000-year-old western red cedar. Located between Ruby Beach and Fourth Beach on US Hwy. 101 in Olympic National Park, you’ll find a sign for the Big Cedar Tree …
Continue readingSkyline Drive-In—A blast from the past
The Olympic Peninsula is home to a huge slice of nostalgia and Americana that’s tough to find anywhere else. The iconic Skyline Drive-In in Shelton is one of only five remaining drive-in movie theaters in Washington state. Fewer than 300 remain …
Continue readingRailroad Bridge Park—A distinct destination and stellar stop along the trail
Delightful and a little unexpected, Railroad Bridge Park in Sequim follows an historic rail line that is now an iconic part of the Olympic Discovery Trail. The park’s centerpiece is a rare wooden-truss bridge that spans more than 730 feet across …
Continue readingChetzemoka Park—Port Townsend’s crown jewel
Perched on a bluff overlooking stunning Admiralty Inlet, Chetzemoka Park is the pride of Port Townsend and rich with history. When settlers arrived in Port Townsend in the early 1850s, they were warmly welcomed by Chief Chetzemoka and his S’Klallam tribe. …
Continue readingEdiz Hook—Views that stretch from peaks to city to sea
A bike, hike or walk along Ediz Hook in Port Angeles will lead you to one of the best views in the region. Under clear or cloudy skies, you’ll see the Olympic Mountains jut sky-high above the city and pop against …
Continue readingMount Walker—Short, steep and views galore
Take a short side trip off U.S. Highway 101 in North Hood Canal to Mount Walker, the only peak facing Puget Sound that has a road to its summit. Once you park the car, the steep, two-mile hike through dense, century-old …
Continue readingJuly Creek Picnic Area—Panoramic lake views that will astound
Take a scenic respite at July Creek Picnic Area. You’ll find one the best vantage points in the Quinault Valley, a natural wonderland and gateway to alpine meadows, turquoise waters and ice-carved peaks. Home to majestic Roosevelt elk, record-breaking trees, …
Continue readingThe Tree of Life—A towering spruce suspended in space and rooted in mystery
A stroll along the sandy Kalaloch beaches offers stunning views, an abundance of wildlife and a true mystery of nature. The Tree of Life, also known as The Root Cave, “grows” along a coastal bluff near Kalaloch Campground. We use the …
Continue readingMouth of the Elwha River—Discover and explore a river transformed
Experience the transformation of an historic waterway near the small town of Joyce. The story of the Elwha River is as wide and wandering as its path from its headwaters in the Olympic Mountains to the Strait of Juan de …
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