Visiting Olympic National Park requires a significant amount of time, mainly because it involves driving around the entire Olympic Peninsula. If you don’t have time for long day hikes, there are numerous short and easy trails to explore in this incredibly diverse national park.
One of America’s most diverse regions, the Pacific Northwest (PNW) is home to massive volcanoes, pristine temperate rain forests, high desert plains, sea stack-lined coasts and spectacular mountain ranges. In this post, I talk about the many must-visit Pacific Northwest national parks and offer a couple of suggested road trip itineraries.
Are you ready to swap out your dress shoes for hiking boots and add a backpack to your wedding day wardrobe? Elopements and small weddings in national parks have become increasingly popular recently. Check out the best national parks to elope to or get married at!
One of the most iconic marine animals in the world, orcas (or killer whales) live in every ocean on the planet. In the United States, they’re a common sight along the West Coast, especially in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska. Check out these top national parks to see orcas in the wild.
Heading deep into a park’s backcountry, setting up camp, exploring an unspoiled landscape, encountering wildlife,… Spending any number of nights backpacking in one of the national parks is something you’ll never forget.
One of the best things about American national parks is their variety. From different landscapes to iconic wildlife to usually a historical aspect as well, there’s plenty to discover in these epitomes of nature conservation, especially if you have a car at your disposal.
All of these romantic lodges are open in winter and located in or near a beautiful national park, making them the perfect base for a Valentine’s Day getaway. Whether you’re looking for winter sports or a warm winter destination—maybe even a tropical getaway—you’ll find it at these amazing national park lodges.
Washington, the Evergreen State, is a destination that offers endless adventures. Encompassing the rugged Pacific coast, unspoiled temperate rain forests, numerous glaciers, and the waterfalls and volcanoes of the Cascade Range, the three national parks in Washington State are world-class outdoor playgrounds.
Featuring various lake activities, such as boating and fishing, as well as fantastic wildlife viewing, great hiking, breathtaking Quinault Rain Forest scenery, and some beautiful waterfalls, the many things to do in the Quinault Valley will keep you busy for a day or two. This is easily one of my favorite places in Olympic National Park.
The westernmost national park in the lower 48 states, Olympic National Park is a pristine wilderness unlike any other on earth. Often called “three parks in one”, its ecological variety is of such magnitude and importance that the park is both an International Biosphere Reserve and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
It may be the season when trees go dormant, bears hibernate and people cozy up near fireplaces, but winter also provides some amazing outdoor fun. If you’re up for a snowy adventure, America’s national parks offer everything from winter wonderlands and wildlife viewing to snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.
Although often underrated and overlooked, birds are actually the most visible animals around. In national parks, too, they’re the easiest animals to spot. This is why I recommend making bird watching in national parks a priority. It’s not only about bears, moose and whales. Birds are fascinating to watch as well.
Although there are some truly incredible waterfalls in many places in America, it’s once again the national parks that steal the show. From the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Sierra Nevada, from the Pacific Northwest to the Grand Canyon, you’ll find epic waterfalls in national parks all over the country.
Often called “three parks in one”, Olympic National Park encompasses the towering Olympic Mountains, one of the world’s largest temperate rain forests and a long stretch of coastal wilderness. Boasting a huge biodiversity, it’s also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an International Biosphere Reserve.