A huge section of Washington State's northwest corner, the Olympic Peninsula, is taken up by Olympic National Park. The vast forestland was set aside as a national monument in 1909 and established as a national park in 1938. Nearly one million acres, 95 percent of the park, are designated wilderness land, protecting the largest old growth forest in the Pacific. This majestic park, surrounding Mount Olympus, shows off its diversity in glaciers, plus miles of pristine beaches, and plants and animals found nowhere else on Earth.
   The Olympic Coast National Maritime Sanctuary also protects 3300 square miles of marine waters and one of the most diverse populations of marine mammals in North America. Over 600 coastal islands are included as national wildlife refuges, protecting critical habitats for migrating and nesting shorebirds.
   Ruby Beach, named for its sparkling garnet fragments, is one of the most popular stops along the coast. The rugged shoreline is not the place for sunning and surfing, but this section of the Olympic National Park calls for beach-combing or simply stopping to enjoy its stunning beauty. Sea stacks, small caverns, cords of driftwood, polished pebbles and tidal pools offer plenty of fascinating objects to examine. Located adjacent to U.S. Route 101, the beach is a must see stopover when visiting the park's Hoh Rain Forest.

     Area Map