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Often called “three parks in one”, Washington’s Olympic National Park encompasses the towering mountains, pristine temperate rain forests and coastal wilderness of the Olympic Peninsula.

Its extraordinary biodiversity, including plants, animals and entire ecosystems, gained it protection as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Olympic is one of America’s greatest national parks, its immense variety attracting all kinds of outdoor enthusiasts, from boaters and fishermen to wildlife watchers, hikers and backpackers, cyclists, campers and road trippers.

10 Wonderful Short & Easy Hikes in Olympic National Park

Visiting Olympic National Park requires a significant amount of time, mainly because it involves driving around the entire Olympic Peninsula. If you don’t have time for long day hikes, there are numerous short and easy trails to explore in this incredibly diverse national park.

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12 Historic National Park Lodges, Hotels & Resorts for Unforgettable National Park Stays

Spending a night or two at a historic lodge or hotel is one of the most memorable national park experiences. From Yellowstone’s famous Old Faithful Inn to Glacier’s iconic Many Glacier Hotel and the rustic Lake Quinault Lodge at Olympic, these are the greatest and grandest lodges in the national parks.

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8 Must-Visit National Parks Near Portland, Oregon

Situated at the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia Rivers, on the border of Oregon and Washington, Portland is the ideal starting point for a Pacific Northwest national parks road trip. This outdoorsy, eco-friendly city offers easy access to some of the greatest U.S. national parks.

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16 Best U.S. National Parks for Wildlife Watching

Even at home, you can see various animals going about their daily lives. Whether you live in a big city or small town, there’s usually a bunch of different birds flying around, while squirrels play in trees and deer forage fields. If, however, you’d like to really focus on the “wild” in wildlife, you should consider visiting these national parks for wildlife watching.

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