Many national parks feature high mountains, old growth forests, raging rivers, or scenic stretches of coastline, but only in Olympic are all these wonders contained within a single park. With nearly a million acres of protected land, Olympic National Park offers no shortage of scenery and wild Pacific Northwest beauty.

Receiving an average of 140 inches of precipitation each year, the Hoh is a sterling example of a temperate rainforest. Indeed, it's one of the best remaining examples of this type of forest in the country. Two loop trails, both roughly a mile long, wind through the forest near the visitor center. If you're looking for a longer adventure, follow the Hoh River Trail upstream into the park's vast backcountry.

The Sol Duc River splits into channels before plunging nearly 40 feet into a narrow gorge. Getting to the observation platforms means hiking just under a mile from the end of the road, following the trail through verdant forests in the northern reaches of the park.

Set deep in Olympic's wild backcountry, the Enchanted Valley is a favorite destination for backpackers seeking mountain grandeur in the heart of the park. A wall of peaks rises sharply above the Quinault River and the Enchanted Valley Chalet, an old backcountry lodge, sits on the edge of the forest. The historic structure is closed to the public.

The deep waters of Lake Crescent fill the valley between Mt Storm King and Pyramid Mountain, easily accessed via Highway 101 form Crescent City. Numerous viewpoints along the road provide ample opportunities for taking in the scenery, and the Spruce Railroad Trail offers four miles of hiking on the lake's northern shore.

Dammed from 1911 to 1914, the Elwha now runs freely from its source high in the Olympic Mountains to its mouth near Angeles Point. The river is a great example of large-scale ecosystem restoration and provides important habitat for fish, including all five species of Pacific salmon. A few spots along the lower Elwha within the park are accessible by vehicle, but much of the river's course is wild, accessed only on foot via miles of hiking trails.

This is the highest peak in the park and on the entire Olympic Peninsula, topping out at 7,980 feet above sea level. But even with such a lofty summit, views of Mt Olympus are hard to come by in the park because of the rugged nature of the landscape. Gaining elevation helps, though, with splendid views from Hurricane Ridge when cloud conditions are favorable. The only trail access to the mountain is via the Hoh River Trail.

A thin strip of land separates Ozette Lake from the Pacific Ocean in the westernmost part of Olympic National Park. This is the largest lake by surface area in the park, offering tranquil waters for paddling and trails heading out to the coast.

Dramatic seastacks rise above the waves just offshore while piles of driftwood lie strewn about the rocky beach, battered and smoothed by the power of the Pacific. Like many of the beaches found in Olympic's coastal section, Ruby Beach is a prime spot for sunset viewing when the weather cooperates.

This is the easiest place to access Olympic's stunning high country, offering panoramic views across the Elwha Valley towards Mt Olympus and its neighbors. A handful of trails provide a variety of options for visitors eager to stretch their legs in the mountains. Hike the Cirque Rim Nature Trail for a short but scenic introduction to the landscape, or venture deeper into the backcountry by hiking to Hurricane Hill or heading out from Obstruction Point.