By Douglas Scott
On August 25, the National Park Service turns 99-years-old. To celebrate, the park service is kicking off a year-long celebration to honor the first century of wilderness, wonder and the beauty we have protected. Largely considered to be America’s best idea, the National Parks that span our country have inspired hundreds of millions of visitors each year. Washington State is lucky enough to claim three of the most iconic National Parks as its own, and on August 25, entry to these and all of the other National Parks in America will be free for all to enter.
During the free entry day celebration on Tuesday, August 25, both Olympic and Mount Rainier National Parks will be host fantastic talks and activities for those who enter the park. Whether you are looking for lectures, walks through flower-filled meadows, or even a trek through the dense and lush rainforests, both parks have something for everyone.
Olympic National Park
Olympic National Park is Washington’s most popular National Park and the sixth most popular National Park in America. It is a park that needs to be discovered, explored and visited often. To celebrate both the park and the birthday of the National Park Service, numerous events will take place throughout the day on August 25. From ranger-led programs on the coast to walks through the rainforest and both a talk and walk around the panoramic wonder of Hurricane Ridge, families, hikers and modern day explorers of all ages and abilities will find the perfect event on this fee-free day. A full schedule of the entire summer’s worth of ranger events can be found on the park’s website.
Out on the coast at Kalaloch, there will be a “Ranger’s Favorites!” event from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Meeting at the Kalaloch Lodge gazebo, this one-hour, hands-on presentation is sure to get you excited about the Washington Coast and the stunning beaches of Olympic National Park. If the tide is out, the ranger may even trek down to the coast and show off the tide pools, bluffs, plants and animals of the region.
Deep in the Hoh Rainforest, rangers will be leading a “Rain Forest Walk,” taking an hour-and-a-half trek to hike Hall of Mosses and/or the Spruce Nature Trail. During this hike, rangers will talk about the huge trees and ferns, as well as share information about the local animals and the history of the region. For anyone who wants to know more about the temperate rainforests of America, this is for you!
High above the city of Port Angeles, rangers at the Hurricane Ridge-area of Olympic National Park will be giving “Terrace Talks” and “Meadow Walks” for those interested in learning more about this high alpine environment. The “Terrace Talks” will take place at 10:30 a.m., 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m., and will cover a wide range of topics during the twenty minute chats framed by a view of the Olympic Mountains in the distance. If sitting doesn’t sound fun, the park is also holding “Meadow Walks,” which are one-hour guided walks that showcase the stunning views, awesome wildlife and beautiful wildflowers around the area.
Mount Rainier National Park
In the Cascades, Mount Rainier National Park will also play host to activities at both Paradise and Sunrise — no entry fee or pass required. The programs vary in length and topic but are a fantastic and educational opportunity you don’t want to pass up. Rangers from the National Park Service are able to answer nearly every question and will make even a cloudy day on the mountain one to remember. A full list of ranger-led events at Mount Rainier National Park can be found on the park service’s website.
Starting at Paradise, three events will be held on the 99th birthday of our National Parks. Starting at 10:30 a.m., visitors can join the “Subalpine Saunter,” which discusses the ecology of Mount Rainier. The saunter meets at the flagpole in front of the visitor center. The one-mile round-trip trek will take just over one hour. At 2:00 p.m., guests in the park can once again return to the flagpole in front of the visitor center and participate in the “Mountain in Motion” talk, which also takes just over an hour and is approxiamately 1.5-miles in length. For those sticking around in the evening, the “Paradise Inn Evening Program” is held at 8:45 p.m. The 45-minute program will cover a variety of topics.
For those heading over to Mount Rainier’s Sunrise region, there will be one activity for visitors to enjoy on the Park Service’s birthday. Held both at 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m., the “Sunrise Afternoon Guided Walk” is a great way to learn about the Sunrise area. Focusing on natural and cultural history, this 45-minute walk and talk provides great information from rangers who know the region well. If interested, meet at the flagpole in front of the Sunrise Visitor Center 5 to 10 minutes before the start of the event.
For those interested in heading up to North Cascades National Park, a full schedule of events and activities can be found on the park’s website.
The National Park Service’s 99th birthday celebration is a great way to kick-off a year of outdoor fun and exploration. Want to experience more fee-free fun throughout the year? Check out this list of fee-free days and enjoy all our National Park’s have to offer, at no charge.
