In 1993 I was 16 years old and had just come out in my small town. There was no one else I knew, no support groups, no gay characters in TV or movies. Fortunately, I had very supportive friends. I spent that summer volunteering in the backcountry of Olympic National Park with the Student Conservation Association, and could not have had a more accepting experience, because it was clear we all cared about nature, the environment and our National Parks. I hope our National Lands are a shared space for all of us to set aside our differences and be reminded to share and protect what is most important: the planet we all depend on together.
Sincerely,
Olympic National Park
Exploring Olympic’s dynamic landscape is like visiting three parks in one. The high mountains offer snow, glaciers, wilderness and — if you time it right — acres of wildflowers. The lush, verdant Hoh Rainforest is unlike anything else in the Lower 48, and home to Roosevelt elk, black bears and other charismatic wildlife. And the park’s stunning coast offers some of the country's wildest and most spectacular beaches, dotted with tide pools and sea stacks. Visitors can now see where park staff recently removed two large dams, letting the Elwha River flow freely again for the first time in more than 100 years.
State(s): Washington
Established: 1938
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Greetings from Olympic National Park
Enjoying a soak in Sol Duc Hot Springs on a clear September morning! The springs get pretty crowded later in the day, but early is like having a private pool to yourself. So peaceful ....
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Greetings from Olympic National Park
Strolling through the Redwoods of Olympic National Park late last Summer, I was reminded of how little we are. The Staircase area of the park that I visited took me back in time instantaneously. It gave me a sense of gratefulness that generations before me had preserved one of our…
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Greetings from Olympic National Park
I spent a day hiking in Olympic National Park with my family this summer. We were greeted by snow-capped mountains and miles of evergreens, both of which were familiar characteristics of Washington State. Throughout the year, the mountains are always dotted with wildflowers frequented by fat bees and skittish butterflies.…
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