Olympic National Park is one of the most majestic parks in the United States. Initially established as a national monument in 1909, it later became a national park in 1938. The furthest reaches of the park are only 100 miles or so from Seattle, but incredibly Olympic houses some of the most remote wilderness in the lower 48.
The park encompasses nearly one million acres and is home to a diverse range of landscapes – temperate rainforests, rugged coastline, and alpine glaciated mountains. It is one of the most remarkable spots for photography in the Pacific Northwest.
At Backcountry Journeys, our workshops are aligned with the best times to photography the park: spring and fall. Both seasons bring the best conditions to the park. The coastal rainforests are lush with color and the chance at nice skies over the coastal beaches is amplified. We will visit the iconic Hoh Rainforest, as well as the lesser known Quinault Rainforest. These temperate forests are lined with mosses and ferns, which are towered over by old growth cedars and firs. Early morning sunshine filters into the forests of Olympic and brings them to life. It is a spectacular thing to see and photography.
Our other primary focus will be the 73-miles of primitive coastline within the park. The coastline is dotted with sea stacks, tide pools, and interesting rocks. The ever-changing tide always make each visit different. During our workshop, we will photograph the three best beaches on the Olympic Coast at sunset – Ruby Beach, Rialto Beach, and Second Beach.
Olympic is undoubtedly an absolute gem of the park service and one of our favorite photography destinations. We hope that you will join us on this once in a lifetime excursion!