Click button for more
![]()
Pacific Northwest
Cities and Towns of the Olympic Peninsula
Amanda Park
Brinnon
Discovery Bay
Eldon
Forks
Hoodsport
Hoquiam
La Push
Lake Quinault
Lilliwaup
Moclips
Neah Bay
Ozette
Port Angeles
Port Hadlock
Port Ludlow
Port
Townsend
Potlatch
Quilcene
Sequim
Shelton
Union
Washington Travel Regions
Cascade Mountains
Northeast
Northwest
Olympic Peninsula
Puget Sound
San Juan Islands
South Central
Southeast
Southwest

The Olympic Peninsula is a diverse blend of climates and natural wonders. Jutting out of the northwest corner Washington State, it comprises some of the richest and most undeveloped forestland in the region. At its center, lies the Olympic National Park and the Olympic National Forest. The two make up 2132,324 square miles of public lands, most of which are open to camping and hiking.
Dotting the peninsula's four coastlines are the small towns and cities that serve as commercial centers for this region. Port Townsend and Port Angeles, at the north and northeast ends of the peninsula, provide ferry service to British Columbia, Canada and to Washington's mainland. A wide variety of accommodations abound in this area, including bed and breakfast inns, camping, hostels and elegantly-appointed Victorian hotels.
Smaller towns, such as Sequim, 29 miles southeast of Port Townsend, Quilcene and Brinnon, further south of Sequim, offer a few remote amenities and many recreational activities. Quilcene and Brinnon border the Hood Canal, the play land for many residents of Washington's Puget Sound.
On the peninsula's west coast lie the Native Indian communities of Neah Bay and La Push. The area is rich with cultural history. The Olympic Peninsula's ten Native tribes are estimated to have lived in the region for more than 3,000 years. Cultural festivals, Native artwork and historical museums are a few of the interests and attractions of this area.
At the southwest end of the peninsula are the cities of Hoquiam and Aberdeen. Often referred to as the gateway to the Olympic Peninsula, Aberdeen is easily accessible from U.S. Highway 5. The city links the state's mainland with Highway 101, which provides a driving tour of much of the region's spectacular scenery.
The town and road map of the Olympic Peninsula will help you locate cities, towns and other attractions.
Go Northwest!
Bookstore
Best selection of books on the Northwest.
Click here!
Moon
Spotlight Olympic Peninsula Camping & Hiking. by Tom Stienstra &
Scott Leonard. A compact guide covering the region's best camping
and hiking sights - including Brothers Wilderness, Olympic National
Forest, and Wonder Mountain Wilderness - perfect for campers or
hikers looking for a back-country campsite or a place to pitch a
tent. Hiking descriptions include distance, estimated hiking time,
and a rating for difficulty. Includes easy-to-follow maps and clear driving directions.
Order now...
Olympic National Park Pocket Guide. by Levi Novey. Put Olympic
National Park Pocket Guide in your pocket and discover majestic
snow-capped mountains, lush rainforests, and wild coast. This
information-packed, fully portable book highlights the key things you'll
need to get the most out of your visit. Outdoor activities, flora,
fauna, and history are detailed, as well as useful travel information to
help you navigate areas in and outside the park.
Order now...
Olympic Mountains. by Jefferson County Historical Society. The
Olympic National Park was created in 1938 to protect the grandeur of the Olympic Mountains. The rugged coastal area was added in 1953. To further
protect this remnant of wild America, Congress designated 95 percent of the park as the Olympic Wilderness in 1988. Today it is recognized as a
United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Site and one of the most popular wilderness
destinations in North America.
Order now...
Fly-Fishing Guide to the Olympic Peninsula. by Doug Rose.
A long-time
resident and conservationist Doug Rose is just the person to take on
this renowned region, not only is he a thoughtful, observant and skilled
fisherman, he's also an interesting and talented writer. Whether you
fish this area or are just interested in its storied past, this book makes for an informative and fascinating read.
Order now...
Olympic Mountains: A Climbing Guide 4th Edition by Olympic Mountain Rescue. The only climbing guide devoted to
Washington's Olympic National Park - now completely updated and expanded with more than thirty percent additional new material. This
greatly expanded new edition adds an Alpine Rock section featuring classic climbs, a Crags and Sport Routes section revealing several
rock climbing challenges within a short walk from roads, plus great bouldering locations.
Order now...
Day Hiking, Olympic Peninsula. by Craig Romano. Introducing next-generation trail guides for the Northwest. The Mountaineers Books
introduces its new Day Hiking guidebook series, written by Northwest residents with impressive hiking resumes. These guides provide accurate
information in attractive, high-quality packaging and are infused with the environmental ethic that distinguishes The Mountaineers Books from other outdoor publishers.
Order now...
Best
Easy Day Hikes Olympic National Park, 2nd edition. by Erick Molvar. Features concise descriptions and easy-to-follow
maps for thirty-one short, manageable hikes. Veteran author and
hiker Erik Molvar describes the best routes for those who have
limited time or abilities, without missing out on the area's scenic
splendors: majestic spires, Pacific coast beaches, and a rare temperate rain forest ecosystem.
Order now...now...
Day
Hike! Olympic Peninsula. by Seabury Blair Jr. Day Hike! Olympic
Peninsula uncovers the region's best trails for day trippers, with
more than 70 day-hikes from Hoodsport to Hurricane Ridge to the
Pacific coast. Trails are rated on a scale of one to five based on
views, water elements such as streams and waterfalls, crowding, and
level of fun. Each trail description provides essential details,
including mileage and estimated hiking time, elevation gain,
conditions, best season, and special notes on dogs, bikes, and children.
Order now...
Hiking Olympic National Park, 2nd edition (Regional Hiking
Series). by Erick Molvar. This updated edition features 66 of the finest trails in and around the park plus 40 additional
recommendations throughout northwest Washington's spectacular landscape. Whether you choose a strenuous backpacking trip over
glacier-clad mountains or a short stroll through a temperate rain forest, veteran trail guide and author Erik
Molvar provides all the information you need.
Order now...
Moon Washington, 8th Edition. by Ericka Chickowski. Award-winning writer and
Washington native Ericka Chickowski provides an insider's view of the Evergreen State, from Seattle's arts, culture,
and snow-capped peaks to the fire and ice of the state's most venerable volcanoes.
Order now...
Weird Washington: Your Travel Guide to Washington's Local Legends and
Best Kept Secrets. by Jefferson Davis and Al Eufrasio. An offbeat journey through Washington's hidden history, macabre
mysteries, funky folklore, and strange sights. From Sasquatch to Stonehenge, from ghosts to Goddess Kring, it's a trip you won't soon
forget!
Order now...
Frommer's Washington State. by Karl Samson. In this detailed and
completely up-to-date guide, you'll find great places to stay in every price range:
sleek Seattle business hotels, romantic coastal inns, historic B&Bs, family-friendly motels, rustic cabins, and more.
Order now...
We appreciate your orders. They help keep
Go Northwest! online.
Northwest Books
from . . .
![]()
Go Northwest!® gonorthwest.com (tm)
Go Northwest!®
gonorthwest.com (tm) and GoNorthwest.com (tm) are trademarks of Go Northwest,
LLC
All original text, maps, photographs, and other images on this web site, as
well as the compilation and design thereof, are
Copyright © 1997-2010 Go Northwest, LLC. All rights reserved.