Gatelinks     Counties: Mason      Regions: Hood Canal Olympic National Park - Glacier capped mountains, wild Pacific coast and magnificent stands of old-growth forests, including temperate rain forests -- at Olympic National Park, you can find all three. About 95% of the park is designated wilderness, which further protects these diverse and spectacular ecosystems. Olympic National Park is also known for its biological diversity. Isolated for eons by glacial ice, and later the waters of Puget Sound and the Strait of Juan de Fuca, the Olympic Peninsula has developed its own distinct array of plants and animals. Eight kinds of plants and 15 kinds of animals are found on the peninsula but no where else on Earth. Alderbrook is located just west of Seattle, Washington on Hood Canal, a natural, glacier-c arved fjord more than 60 miles long. The canal’s pristine water is world renowned for scuba diving and a rich abundance of sea life. Curiously unique, our shores are encrusted in oysters, our docks lined with mussels and our sea teems with salmon. All of the essential elements for recreation are here at the resort: boating and fishing, an invigorating round of golf, a swim with the family in the indoor pool overlooking the canal or energizing your spirit with a treatment in our Spa. You’ll experience one of the most scenic wilderness areas on earth. The Olympic National Forest is part of an emerald paradise. The Forest is located on the Olympic Peninsula in the northwest corner of Washington State (the Evergreen State). The Olympic Peninsula is a unique geographic province consisting of five major landscape settings: temperate rain forest, rugged mountain terrain, large lowland lakes, cascading rivers, and saltwater beaches. The Olympic Peninsula features over 2,132,300 acres of public Federal lands for visitors to enjoy. Of this area, over 633,600 acres are managed by the Olympic National Forest, which blankets the foothills of the Olympic Mountains and surrounds much of the Olympic National Park. In addition to the Federal land on the peninsula, there are recreation opportunities offered on state, county and private lands as well. The Forest offers a variety of recreation opportunities and facilities including: Campgrounds, Trails, Cabins, Picnic Sites, Points of Interest, Auto Tours, and Wildernesses. (Click on one of the preceeding facilities or opportunities for a quick link to recreation information). It is important for visitors to know which agency manages the site or lands they plan to visit because opportunities and regulations differ from one agency to another. To get more information, you may wish to contact any of the Olympic National Forest offices or visit our maps and publication section to order an Olympic Peninsula Recreation Map. Olympic Peninsula - Welcome to Washington State’s Olympic Peninsula! We invite you to explore this area that offers miles of puzzle-like shorelines, alpine meadows crowned with glaciers, and dense rainforest valleys. We are truly a vacation playground with almost a million acres of Olympic National Park to enjoy along with Olympic National Forest and dozens of state, county and city parks. Discovery awaits! Let us help you get started by sending you free maps and travel information packets from all of these communities, and links to their official websites. Then you’ll be ready to plan your visit and get started with a fishing adventure, a two–nation vacation, a hiking/biking or kayaking tour… Who knows? You may even find a place to call home! Lake Quinault - Olympic National forest Lake Quinault Majestic glacier-carved and glacier-fed Lake Quinault is surrounded by the mossy old-growth trees of the Quinault Rain Forest, one of only three temperate coniferous rain forests in the Western hemisphere. The Quinault Valley that creates Lake Quinault and the Quinault Rainforest is known as the "Valley of the Giants." Here you will find the largest Sitka Spruce tree in the world, along with other nationally recognized giants of Hemlock, Douglas Fir and the mighty Western Red Cedar. Lake Quinault is located on the Southwest end of the Olympic National Park. The towering trees and lush green forest of the Quinault Valley is known as the best place to see the Rainforest when visiting the Olympic National Park. Miles of trails, swimming, boating and fishing are easily accessible from the many campgrounds and resorts around Lake Quinault and within the Quinault Rainforest. A 30 mile self drive loop road takes you around the lake venturing into the South end of the Olympic National Park. Bring a camera, hiking shoes and plenty of rain gear as Lake Quinault measures 144 inches of rain a year. Roosevelt Elk, Black Tail Deer, Cougar, Bald Eagle, Bobcat, Black Bear and a gorgeous view of the Olympics are a must see as you visit Lake Quinault and travel the scenic 30 mile Quinault Rain Forest Loop Drive.