Named after the Olympic Mountains it encompasses, the park was established on June 29, 1938, by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt to preserve the area’s unique wildlife and landscapes Jun 28, 2018
What is special about Olympic National Park?
Olympic National Park was established in 1938 in part to preserve some of Washington’s quickly disappearing primeval forests Now the park protects one of the largest remaining blocks of old growth forest and temperate rain forest in the lower 48 states
What formed Olympic National Park?
About 34 million years ago, just off of what was the former coastline, two massive tectonic plates, the North American Plate and the Juan de Fuca Plate, were sent into a collision that would literally shape the Olympic mountains
When was the Olympic National Park established?
June 29, 1938
Why is Olympic National Park so famous?
In 1981, the Historic Olympic National Park was named a World Heritage site in recognition of its exceptional natural beauty and outstanding diversity of plants and animals Located in the northwest of Washington State, Olympic National Park is renowned for the diversity of its ecosystems
Why should someone visit Olympic National Park?
Just a few hours from Seattle, Olympic National Park gives visitors a chance to explore glacier capped mountains, rain forests, and beaches, all within the park boundaries Called three parks in one by nearly all who visit, a trip to Olympic National Park is a nature experience you’ll never forget
Why was Olympic National Park designated a Unesco biosphere reserve by the United Nations in 1976?
The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) named the park an International Biosphere Reserve in 1976 for the extraordinary scenic and scientific values of its rain forest The collections at Olympic National Park reflect the variety of resources found within this special landscape
What are the Olympic Mountains known for?
Mountains are so large that they can also effect the ecosystems around them Olympic is well-known for its rainforests, including the Hoh Rainforest which receives an average of almost 12 feet (36 meters) of precipitation in the form of rain each year
What’s the difference between Olympic National Park and Olympic National Forest?
Olympic National Forest is a US National Forest located in Washington, USA With an area of 628,115 acres (2,54189 km2), it nearly surrounds Olympic National Park and the Olympic Mountain range Olympic National Forest contains parts of Clallam, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, and Mason counties
What was the first national park?
Thanks to their reports, the United States Congress established Yellowstone National Park just six months after the Hayden Expedition On March 1, 1872, President Ulysses S Grant signed the Yellowstone National Park Protection Act into law The world’s first national park was born
Who manages the Olympic National Park?
National Park Service
Does anyone live in Olympic National Park?
“It’s hard to keep your nose above water, that’s for sure,” laughed Gene Owens, 61, unofficial mayor of the Hoh, who owns and operates an A-frame general store on the edge of Olympic National Park There are seven families, 35 people in all, living in the tiny community in the Hoh Rain Forest
Why is Lake Crescent so blue?
Lake Crescent is known for its brilliant blue waters and exceptional clarity, caused by a lack of nitrogen in the water which inhibits the growth of algae
Is La Push WA Open?
712 21: The Quileute Reservation including First Beach at La Push and the trailhead to Second Beach is now open to visitors Visit QuileuteNationorg for more information on the Quileute Tribe’s safety protocols This includes beaches, trails, museums, events, lodging facilities, restaurants, shops, etc
Where is Olympic National Park State?
Olympic National Park is in the Northwest Corner of the United States in Washington State It encompasses most of Washington State’s Olympic Peninsula, a 922,651-acre parcel of Pacific coastline, towering rainforests, and jagged mountain peaks
What National Park houses the only tropical rainforest in the national park system?
The only true, tropical rain forest in the US National Park system, El Yunque National Forest occupies 29,000 picturesque acres on Puerto Rico’s eastern coast
Who named the Olympic Mountains?
But the English captain John Meares, seeing them in 1788, thought he would honor the Greek explorer Juan de Fuca who claimed to have found the fabled Northwest passage nearby by naming the mountain after the mythical home of Greek Gods which is “Mount Olympus” in Greece
How did Ruby Beach get its name?
Ruby Beach is the northernmost of the southern beaches in the coastal section of Olympic National Park in the US state of Washington The beach is so called because of the ruby-like crystals in the beach sand Destruction Island is located about 4 miles southwest off the beach
Why is it called Hurricane Ridge?
Hurricane Ridge is named for its intense gales and winds The weather in the Olympic Mountains is unpredictable, and visitors should be prepared for snow at any time of year The area receives 400 inches (10,000 mm) of snowfall annually
Can you swim in Lake Quinault?
In the warmer months, Swim quite waters of Lake Quinault (The lake is open seasonally during the summer and closed during the winter) Other activities include sightseeing, hiking, backpacking, photography, fishing, bicycling and kite flying
What is the closest airport to Olympic National Park?
The closest major airport is Seattle-Tacoma International
Why the national parks are important?
In the US, national parks protect areas of natural beauty including the plants and wildlife that live there, and provide access, recreational opportunities and educational programs for people to learn about these natural habitats
Why was it important to establish and maintain a national park system?
The NPS plays a dual role: It must protect the ecological and historical integrity of these places It must keep these places accessible for public use for this and future generations
Who created national parks?
National Park Service/Founders
Who is the superintendent of Olympic National Park?
Sarah Creachbaum was named the Superintendent of Olympic National Park in September of 2012 She and her husband Bob, along with their border collie Jimmy, relocated to the Olympic Peninsula in November 2012 Creachbaum previously served as superintendent of Haleakala National Park
How many ecosystems are in Olympic National Park?
Park Information Covering nearly one million acres, Olympic National Park provides three distinct ecosystems—glaciated mountains, rugged Pacific coastline, and lush temperate forests—and their distinct flora and fauna for nature-lovers to explore