They say April showers bring May flowers, and that’s true, however we’d like to offer up another kind of shower—a magical, misty shower…of waterfalls! With the spring snowmelt, our falls are thundering, resplendent veils of rushing water cascading over rocks blanketed with moss or down sheer cliff faces into pristine pools below. There are 24 of them!
Begin in Grays Harbor County with waterfalls at Lake Quinault then follow Highway 101 clockwise around the loop. In between the waterfalls, stop in our communities and charming towns to experience some of the events and activities they’re offering in April.
We welcome you to spring this way to the Olympic Peninsula soon!
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Perfection Falls plunges down in the southern region of Olympic National Forest |
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An Insider’s View of the Olympic Peninsula – 3 Reasons Grays Harbor County is a Favorite Destination
- Camping and RVing on the Olympic Peninsula
- Washington Coast Cleanup – April 23
- Upcoming Spring Events
- Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary and Feiro Marine Life Center
- Olympic National Park
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AN INSIDER'S VIEW OF THE OLYMPIC PENINSULA
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3 Reasons Grays Harbor County is a Favorite Destination |
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Quinault Rain Forest Photo by Kris Tyson |
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Spring promises fresh starts with new possibilities and discoveries stirring a spirit of adventure and inspiration. A perfect place to explore this spring is Grays Harbor County, rich with natural beauty from tumbling waterfalls to secluded ocean beaches. Hike the trails, paddle on Lake Quinault, plunge your toes in the sand and maybe even dig razor clams! READ IT HERE.
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CAMPING AND RVING
ON THE OLYMPIC PENINSULA
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2022 WASHINGTON COAST CLEANUP |
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Photo courtesy of Coast Savers |
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Want to show your love for Washington beaches? Join Earth Day volunteers from all around the Pacific Northwest who will be cleaning beaches as part of the Washington Coast Cleanup (WCC) on Saturday, April 23, 2022. Please note some beaches will be closed, but a complete list of beaches will be available when registration opens. LEARN MORE
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We’re excited to have area events returning! Community and visitor well-being are of paramount importance. Conditions and operations continue to evolve, so check event websites for updates and specific protocols. Enjoy a safe visit. |
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Around the World in Less
Than 80 Days
Key City Public Theatre
Port Townsend
April 15 – May 8
It’s 1889 and New York World reporter, Nellie Bly needs a story. Inspired by the Jules Verne novel, Around the World in 80 Days, Bly convinces her publisher, Joseph Pulitzer, that she is the woman who can beat the record set by the fictional, Phileas Fogg. A mesmerizing kaleidoscope of trains, steamships, exotic ports and 46 colorful characters is deftly created by a company of five actors in this rollicking and thought-provoking adventure based on true events. LEARN MORE
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Olympic Adventure Trail (OAT) Run
Port Angeles
April 16
This is a point-to-point 12K and half marathon trail race that traverses Kelly Ridge between the Olympic National Park and the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Upon finishing, runners are treated to food and beverages and since it sells out every year, be sure to sign up early! LEARN MORE
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Jazz in the Olympics
Port Angeles
April 22 and 23
Welcome to the grandeur of the Olympic Peninsula to enjoy a weekend of great jazz. Sandwiched between the majestic Olympic Mountains and the pristine waters of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, Jazz in the Olympics is the perfect way to celebrate jazz of all forms while taking in the sights and sounds of Port Angeles and the spectacular beauty of the Pacific Northwest.
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Run the Peninsula Race Series
Railroad Bridge Run
Sequim
April 23
The 2022 Run the Peninsula Race Series takes place on the beautiful Olympic Peninsula and is made up of five different races which can be run in person on race day or virtually until December 31. The Railroad Bridge Run offers a 5K and 10K out and back on the Olympic Discovery Trail.
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Port Townsend Victorian Heritage Festival
Port Townsend
April 29 – May 1
Celebrating Port Townsend’s history, lifestyle and audacity of the city’s early life, the festival offers an opportunity to stroll back in time, learn how the early residents lived, worked and played, hear stories of high stakes business ventures, colorful characters, lost loves and how it all came crashing down.
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Soroptimist Virtual Garden Show
Sequim
April 27 – May 1
The 24th Annual Gala Garden Show will continue to be a Virtual Garden Show again this year. Webinars will be offered via Zoom with vendors and sponsors showcased on the website and Facebook.
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Grays Harbor Shorebird and Nature Festival
Hoquiam
April 29 – May 1
See thousands of birds swirling in massive number to avoid Peregrine Falcons and watch for rarities like the Pacific Coast Red Knot. Over 800 were seen last May. Grays Harbor is a reliable place to see dwindling species and you’ll have an opportunity to go on outstanding field trips to varied coastal habitats, let by the region’s most capable birders.
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Port Townsend Farmers Market Photo Courtesy of David Conklin |
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Spring means fresh produce and the reopening of area farmers markets. Here are some dates to look forward to:
Sequim: Saturdays, starting May 14
Shelton: Saturdays, starting in May
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OLYMPIC COAST NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY and FEIRO MARINE LIFE CENTER |
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Olympic Coast as a Sentinel:
Resilience Actions for Tribal Community Well-Being
in the Face of Ocean Change
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On April 12 at 4:30 pm, Dr. Melissa Poe, Social Scientist with Washington Sea Grant, will present the third virtual co-hosted speaker series about how indigenous people have depended on Olympic Coast marine species for their livelihoods, food security and cultural practices for thousands of years. Today, these species—and the tribal communities that depend on them—are at risk from ocean changes including ocean acidification. Dr. Poe works in partnership with the Olympic Coast Treaty Tribes to better understand the risks of ocean change to tribal community well-being. LEARN MORE
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Before your visit to Olympic National Park, call the recorded Road & Weather line at 360.565.3131 to check the status of roads and campgrounds and for weather information (updated twice daily). Check the park website at www.NPS.gov/olym/index.htm for alerts and current conditions.
Join us in celebrating National Park Week 2022 from April 16 to 24! Parks across the country will host a variety of special programs, events, and digital experiences. There are also special theme days during the week to highlight the different ways everyone can enjoy national parks. April 16, the first day of National Park Week, is also a fee free day!
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Plan your next trip to the Olympic Peninsula
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Spring inspires us to want to travel, to get away and play. Come and discover a new place or visit an old favorite. Explore our trails and beaches. Try your hand at harvesting oysters. Play in our spectacular parks, not to mention the show-stopper of them all—Olympic National Park, where you can even go snowshoeing.
As you begin to plan your visit, we encourage you to know before you go. Check our website for the most current information about safe travel. If we can assist you with your travel planning, please contact us directly. We look forward to seeing you on the Olympic Peninsula whenever you come for a visit.
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We look forward to welcoming you to the Olympic Peninsula! |
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