Olympic Peninsula

Introducing Olympic Peninsula

Cut off from the rest of the state by water on three sides, the remote Olympic Peninsula is insular and lightly populated. Dominated by the Olympic National Park, the region’s main urban centers are located in the northeast and include the gateway town of Port Angeles, historic Port Townsend and the drier, balmier settlement of Sequim, now a budding retirement community. Protected climatically by the Olympic Mountains, Sequim plays host to abundant outdoor activities.

Exempt from strict wilderness regulations, the parts of the peninsula outside of the Olympic National Park are largely given over to the lumber industry. Further west, clinging to the wild Pacific coast, are a handful of large Native American Indian reservations.

Last updated: Mar 2, 2009