Note our 5-days/week hours of operation. ALWAYS open for virtual visits and information
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Local travelers will find all printed materials available for pick-up outside the Center. All the brochures and maps needed to ENJOY your Olympic Peninsula visit are displayed on our well-lit and covered front porch. Digitally downloadable brochures are featured with QR codes and links all these digital resources are also online at www.EnjoyOlympicPeninsula.com.
This!
Wooden Boat FestivalSeptember 6-8, 2024 Port Townsend, WAGET YOUR TICKETSHalf-Day Workshops with Nigel Calder Renowned boat systems expert Nigel Calder, celebrated for his bestselling books like “Boatowner’s Mechanical and Electrical Manual,” is returning to the Wooden Boat Festival this year ...
You're welcome!
Sounds like the perfect cover story!
Only Gas or Propane Fueled Appliances. during these HIGH fire danger days.
as you Enjoy Olympic Peninsula
as you Enjoy Olympic Peninsula
📢 Press Release: Port Townsend Bay Closed for Shellfish; Quilcene and Dabob Bay Opening 📢
Jefferson County, WA. Shellfish samples from Port Townsend Bay tested by the Washington Department of Health (DOH) were found to have high levels of the biotoxin that causes Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP). Therefore, DOH has closed Port Townsend Bay for the recreational harvest of all species of molluscan shellfish including clams, oysters, mussels, and scallops. Jefferson County Public Health has posted Danger signs at public access points in the area. Crab and shrimp are not included in the closure. Toxins can accumulate in crab gut and butter (the white-yellow fat inside the back of the shell). Clean crab thoroughly and avoid eating the crab butter and guts.
In addition, after a recent shellfish closure on August 14, 2024, DOH has opened Quilcene and Dabob Bay for recreational shellfish harvesting of all shellfish species, effective August 29th.
To read the full press release, visit: https://jeffersoncountypublichealth.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1406
This! Enjoy Olympic Peninsula
It's a holiday weekend, so how do you avoid...this? Or at least make waiting in line less stressful?
🚘 Plan ahead to arrive at off-peak hours, like early morning and later afternoon or evening.
🚘 Visit some of the less crowded areas of the park. Hurricane Ridge and the Hoh Rainforest are the two most-visited areas, but there is so much more to explore!
Honestly, waiting IS unavoidable sometimes, so if you find yourself in a line, make it nicer for yourself and everyone else:
🚘 Download a podcast before you leave so you have something to listen to in line - Glacier National Park makes a great one called Headwaters.
🚘 Bring a book and an iced tea to enjoy while you're stopped.
🚘 If you're going to be stopped for more than a minute, roll down the windows, turn off your engine and air conditioning, and relax! You'll save fuel and the air will thank you.
🚘 When you make it to the entrance booth, be kind to the rangers. A friendly face is always extra welcome on these busy weekends ❤️
See you soon!
Get out on the Olympic Discovery Trail and Enjoy Olympic Peninsula!
We love hearing (and sharing) how much you LOVE the Olympic Discovery Trail. Thank you Rodger for the kind words. We work very hard to ensure the ODT stays well maintained for all to enjoy.
Plan your next adventure on the ODT: https://olympicdiscoverytrail.org/
This!
With U.S. Covid-19 cases at very high levels and new vaccines still several weeks away, we asked experts for their advice on when and where to wear a mask.
There's still plenty of summer left to Enjoy Olympic Peninsula!
Thanks to Washington State Parks for these great tips on how to plan for a last-minute camping trip like a pro!
The Department of Natural Resources has issued a statewide burn ban restricting the use of outdoor burning, campfires, the use of charcoal briquettes, and prescribed burns on all forest lands within DNR’s fire protection, including all Washington State Parks, through Sept. 30, 2024. This date may...
Happy Friday from Kalaloch Lodge, thanks to beautiful photography by Mathew Nichols Photography
I had another one of my big ideas, so I took a major risk, and went against my better judgement, spending hours and hours waiting for a clearing in the clouds during one of the biggest displays of Northern Lights of the year.
It was low tide so I saw the opportunity, I waited and waited, watching the world update about their incredible experiences witnessing the light show while I continued to be stubborn, not moving from my spot in hopes of getting that one lucky moment, when I could easily drive one hour and find clear skies. But I didn't, and my lucky moment never came, BUT it is these moments that have made me the photographer I am today, and it is these nights that continue to help define my career.
I found my angle with the sea-stars, posted up in position, and waited patiently all night long while practicing taking night time shots with my camera. This wasn't the first time I tried to capture this scene. On 3 other occasions I've found myself in very similar, and actually worse situations than this for this same idea. Atleast this time I was watching the ocean glow blue with bioluminescence, and atleast this time I could make out SOME color at times through the clouds.
Typically the photos from this night would just go into my archives, never to be looked at again by anyone, but I was physically worn out and mentally exhausted by the end of this night, and I don't imagine I'll have another opportunity to capture all of these things again until next year.
So here you go, I'm not the luckiest photographer alive 😆 I do fail, quite often, I just don't share those moments that didn't make the "cut"
This
The Olympic Peninsula Jupiter Fire continues, now at about 350 acres. The Brinnon, WA community remains on stand-by evacuation status.
Local fire is being well supported with extensive air equipment and ground crews.
The Halfway House Restaurant has been feeding 175+ firefighters, and other local businesses are supporting both neighbors and emergency responders
Needless to say, pray for low winds and some rain. Always ield to all emergency equipment, and don't plan to recreate in the Duckabush drainage area this weekend.
Enjoy Olympic Peninsula. But always ❤️
Summer Read - Mystery Bay / Fort Flagler, haunted house mystery...
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Cherie Priest’s new haunted-house novel, “The Drowning House,” is set on Marrowstone Island, a real place in Jefferson County.
Congrats Molly! Olympic National Park's Mule of the Month!
Keep up the GREAT work!
🏅MULE OF THE MONTH
At 14 years young, this beautiful molly mule is new to us at Olympic for the 2024 season. She’s proven herself an instant trail crew favorite and we’re more than lucky to employ her on the all-star squad. Her previous owner was misty-eyed when he let her go; and so brightly it reflects in those soulful eyes and her smooth, sleek-mystique shimmering black coat, the depth of kindness and careful preparation she does possess.
Her name is derived by and initialized in honor of our revered and recently retired Chief of Maintenance. LT has commenced to the carrying of that honorary badge up and down these rocky-rugged trails with all the same qualities of her namesake because
she’s also intelligent, curious, hard working, cool-headed, friendly, trusting and gentle.
LT is also an abbreviation for other fitting words and phrases such as:
“long and tall”—standing at 16.1 hands in height, she’s a true tower of packing power with the awe-inspiring gait of a giraffe.
OR
“light truck”—similar to the stamp on your pickup’s 10-ply tire sidewalls, those off road heavy duty mule wheels aren't likely to leave you stranded with any surprise blow outs.
OR
“lieutenant”—because she’s good AND she’s got room to grow.
In short, LT has arrived with bells and whistles. Peaceful and turnkey, ready in confidence and awareness to take every smiling rider and/or bulky, rattly, awkward pack box load of groceries, tools or lumber swan lake style over and through this wild Olympic terrain with precision and predictability.
Every super hero has their kryptonite and for LT—believe it or not—it’s bubbles.
Kudos to this here Mule of the Month!
With love, Packers Hans, Kirah, Paul & Heidi
Thank you Ranger Aaron and all the Washington State Parks Rangers, Park Aides, Interp Specialists, Maintenance, and Campground Hosts! It takes a village to welcome visitors. Thank you 🙏
10-years of wonder for creation’s healing ❤️🩹 potential
Even before the last rubble was blasted away from Glines Canyon Dam on Washington's Elwha River, two bull trout flashed past the dam site and were detected ups
Good News!
We've got a lot happening at Fort Worden this month! Starts with Free Fridays concert at noon today, followed by Blues in the Clubs and concert, continues with an art reception in the Commons, all month long, Backyard Movies w , and on Littlefield Green. Plus is open and kayaks + makes for a great beach day! Info on our website.
Great news for Jefferson County Parks & Rec campground payments!
We salute - and THANK - all rangers this . Be they: dedicated to restoring habitat, managing wildlife, educating visitors, restoration crews, wildland firefighters, educators, trail crew workers, law enforcement officers, scientists, custodial workers, and naturalists; Natural Resource Rangers wear many hats. Thank YOU!
On , we celebrate and acknowledge all the park rangers who protect and preserve places around the world. From making trails, enforcing laws, and cleaning up litter; to restoring habitat, managing wildlife, and educating visitors; rangers wear many hats. Restoration crews, wildland firefighters, educators, trail crew workers, law enforcement officers, scientists, custodial workers, and naturalists are just a few of the different types of rangers that play an important role in inspiring stewardship for our natural world.
First organized by the International Ranger Federation (IRF), World Ranger Day also honors those who have made the ultimate sacrifice protecting visitors and resources.
Don’t miss this opportunity to learn and celebrate the first 30-years of NOAA Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary!
NOAA's Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary is celebrating 30 years of Science, Service, & Stewardship this month! Come join us at two events:
Getting to Know your Sanctuary! Friday, July 26: From 5 to 9 p.m. at Field Arts & Events Hall. Learn about the sanctuary from staff and volunteers in the sunset lounge. Kids will love “Big Mama,” the life-sized inflatable humpback whale, and ocean-themed films in the Donna Morris Theater.
Marine Discovery Day! Saturday, July 27: From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the future site of the Marine Discovery Center (at the undeveloped lot just west of Field Arts & Event Hall), enjoy ocean-themed activities with the sanctuary and partners.
VERY HIGH FIRE HAZARD restrictions are in effect in addition to:
• Outdoor burning and outdoor open flame devices are prohibited without a permit, unless listed in subsection (ii) below, or approved in writing by the fire marshal. JCC 8.72.040 (5)(d)(i)
https://co.jefferson.wa.us/AlertCenter.aspx?AID=FIRE-DANGER-MOVED-TO-VERY-HIGH-FIRE-DANG-183
Enjoy Olympic Peninsula - on the water - with Puget Sound Express Whale Watching!
When the destination is worth the distance.
Enjoy Olympic Peninsula and always
Read story
Outstanding Kalaloch Lodge ❤️
Enjoy Olympic Peninsula!
Summer in the park
Visitors at Hurricane Ridge enjoy the trails and sweeping views of Olympic National Park. Summer temperatures will remain in the mid- to upper 60s this week with a couple of showers in the forecast.
Progress being made on SR19 roundabout along SR104. You can seen the Olympic Peninsula Gateway Visitor's Center parking lot on lower left.
Photo courtesy of WSDOT
When it comes to waterworks, there’s really nothing like the Olympic Peninsula Waterfall Trail, featuring more than 20 spectacular sites that will awe and inspire.
Check them out! https://olympicpeninsula.org/drive-the-loop/waterfalls/
A local outdoor enthusiast ranks the 27 best waterfalls in Washington (in 2024). Falls in cities & parks, hikes for all abilities, + hidden gems, like …
93 Beaver Valley Road
Port Ludlow, WA
98365
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| Wednesday | 10am - 4pm |
| Thursday | 10am - 4pm |
| Friday | 10am - 4pm |
| Saturday | 10am - 4pm |
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