Only changed by surf and storms over the past thousands of years, this beach is marked at low tide with boulders, tide pools and huge trees washed to sea, as well as swooping bald eagles, raccoons feeding on shellfish, and tiny sea creatures. Highway 101 circles the park, but no roads traverse the central wilderness area. To experience the park's diversity, you must take to some of the more than 600 miles of trails. The best way to see the park is to divide your days among the various ecosystems inside. Or, if you only have a limited amount of time, choose one area of the park to explore.
Some families opt to see the park by moving from campsite to campsite.
Of course, this requires early rising during the busy season since all the park's campgrounds are first come, first served. Meadow Loop Trails offer several short walks past blooming wildflower fields often visited by black-tailed deer. An additional 40-minute drive west takes you to Rialto Beach or Ruby Beach, where you can explore the park's Pacific coastline. Throughout the park, you'll find a wide variety of programs to help you explore. The park's main information center is the Olympic National Park Visitor Center in Port Angeles.