Olympic Peninsula Tourism Commission

What We’re Famous For – Have you heard of Ruby Beach, Kalaloch, the Victorian Seaport of Port Townsend or the Sequim Lavender Festival? Or Hurricane Ridge, the Hood Canal or Cape Flattery? These places and many more await you on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula. The dominant feature of the Peninsula is Olympic National Park with nearly one million acres of playground in rain forest valleys, alpine meadows and 60 miles of unmatched wilderness coastline.

Outside the Park is Olympic National Forest with another half-million acres of recreation lands. Add to that our world-class state and county parks and our small friendly communities, and you begin to understand why we are so proud of where we are! In all the globe, places with as many breathtaking vistas, varied experiences and wonderful art and cuisine only come together like this in this place we call home. Welcome, enjoy and we hope you have a wonderful experience here.

From the Pacific Ocean to the Hood Canal Bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean, on the east by the Hood Canal and on the north by the Strait of Juan de Fuca , the Olympic Peninsula is anchored by the majestic Olympic Mountains. No other place in America can match its diversity in terrain and weather in such a compact geographic area. It is reached from Seattle via Washington State ferries and a 60-minute drive, or two-hour drive northwest from SeaTac International Airport. From rugged ocean beaches to the peaks of the Olympic Mountain range and spectacular Hood Canal, you’ll find easy access for exploration of our lakes, waterfalls, rivers and rain forests. Olympic National Park, designated a World Heritage Site and Biosphere, rests in the heart of the Peninsula, combining the rocky Pacific Ocean coast and snowy Olympic Mountain peaks with the unique rain forests of the Park’s western coastal valleys. On the western slopes, large herds of Roosevelt elk roam the temperate rain forests and the green river valleys.

This is the home of some of the world’s largest trees, many draped with thick cloaks of moss, and an astounding array of mushrooms and lichens. The northern slopes are sheltered by a rain shadow that protects the lush valleys and provides the perfect climate for growing colorful, long-lasting flowers, especially lavender. Lodging ranges from quiet bed and breakfast inns, to fishing resorts, country motels and famous historic lodges. To learn more, explore our travel planner and then take a hike to the websites of the North Olympic Peninsula, and find out why you’ll need more than one trip to see it all.