"Thick forests, glacier lakes and Indian Tribes" Olympic National Park by joiwatani

Olympic National Park Travel Guide: 296 reviews and 762 photos

I was at the Crescent Lake on Labor Day Weekend

Explore the Olympic National Park

The Olympic National Park is internationally recognized as the Biosphere Reserve and World Heritage Site. The park is a wilderness in itself! Expect to see lush vegetation, thick forests, wild birds, rivers that cris-cross roads, lakes, hills, mountains, ridges and cliffs. The Olympic Peninsula is home to eight Indian Tribes where they continue to practice their hunter-gatherer traditions. My family drove to Highway 101, the main access to the peninsula just to scout where we could camp later on. To my amazement, I found out that there are many campgrounds, hiking areas, self-guiding trails, and picnic areas.

The Glacier Lake

The Olympic Nat'l Park map at the range station

The Crescent Lake was created by glaciers thousands of years ago. The drive to the Olympic Peninsula is highlighted by the beautiful and spectacular view of the lake! The water sparkles as the sunlight hits the lake! The mountains that is lush with vegetation -redwood trees, evergreen trees, ferns and other plants make this place cool in the summer.

There are Indian Tribes here!

The Indian Totem Poles

There are about eight Indian reservations at the Olympic National Park. There is the Hoh Indian Reservation, Ozette Indian Reservation, Lower Elwha Klallam Indian Reservation, The tribes are free to practice their traditions in the reservation. The Olympic National Park covers thousands of acres of forests and mountains including coasts where the tribes continue to keep their traditions. There are also galleries where the Indians showcase their arts and crafts. There are museums and community center for them, too.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Beautiful lakes and rivers, wonderful to drive through...
Cons:Not enough time to explore the beaches
In a nutshell:It is certainly a place to go back and explore more!

Last visit to Olympic National Park: Sep 2007
Intro Updated Jan 2, 2009
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Reviews (8)

The Bella Rosa Coffee House - Olympic National Park

Stop and rest. Drink coffee! Restaurants (1)

The coffee shop is voted as the #1 coffee shop in Port Angeles. The coffee shop displays their awards they have received... more travel advice

The huge map at the ranger station - Olympic National Park

Get permit for overnight wilderness... Warnings and Dangers (2)

Permits are required when you stay overnight at the Olympic National Forest wilderness. There are seven ranger stations... more travel advice

Inside the gallery:Miniature Totem Poles - Olympic National Park

Buy Indian hand-carved totem poles Shopping (1)

The gallery is perched close to the road side overlooking the waters. The gallery is one among the buildings adjacent to... more travel advice

My daughter Rainier at the Olympic National Park - Olympic National Park

Visit the ranger station! Things to Do (3)

Before heading out to your hike or camp, make sure to visit the Olympic National Park Ranger Station to get free maps,... more travel advice

Tourist Traps (1)
Don't miss the Look-outs to view the...

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Comments (18)

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Nemorino Dec 19, 2010 at 6:09 AM

Thanks for your holiday wishes! I hope you have great holidays as well. I've just been looking through your tips and photos on Olympic National Park. That lake looks fine, especially.
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richiecdisc May 21, 2009 at 11:01 AM

Right in your backyard, Jo. You are very lucky indeed. We loved it there. Looking forward to checking out your massive Seattle page!
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jumpingnorman Apr 5, 2009 at 7:56 PM

Very Nice pages on the Olympic Park --- hope I'll see Crescent Lake someday...Norman :)
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margaretvn Apr 4, 2009 at 11:44 PM

great page with good tips and lovely photos
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Basaic Apr 3, 2009 at 3:40 PM

Great page on a beautiful area. Watch out for the drug smugglers near Port Angeles!
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scottishvisitor Mar 5, 2009 at 9:01 AM

Since I love Lakes I would find my self in the look offs = my driving is usually slow so here I could avoid a ticket!
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DSwede Feb 9, 2009 at 2:23 AM

Another place I loved to get away to! Brings back good memories!
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DennyP Feb 4, 2009 at 3:16 PM

Nice page Jo..world heritage sights are always breathtaking..great photos and tips..
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sourbugger Feb 4, 2009 at 2:25 PM

looks just stunning !
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hopang Feb 2, 2009 at 4:24 AM

Excellent Olympic National Park travel page with lovely photo of picturesque Crescent Lake. Indian Reservation Museum sounds interesting! Thanks for sharing. ~ho & pang