Olympic-size views

While the main section of Olympic National Park protects woods and rainforests deep in Western Washington's interior, a long, narrow exclave of the park lines the state's sparsely populated Pacific coast. Chilly and stormy throughout most of the year, this unique corner of the United States becomes a rare treat for those who venture here in the warmer months. In addition to stunning sea stacks and shoreside rock formations, visitors can appreciate a plethora of wildlife like seabirds, otters, and tide pool-dwelling marine critters—all protected under the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary, which spans most of Washington's outer shores.