Olympic Peninsula

peninsula, Washington, United States

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July 1, 2026

Quick Summary

The Olympic Peninsula is a geographical area in northwestern Washington, United States. It is bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the west, the Strait of Juan de Fuca to the north, and Puget Sound to the east.1

The peninsula is largely occupied by Olympic National Park, which preserves the Olympic Mountains and their diverse ecosystems. These mountains were formed by geological processes involving the collision of tectonic plates. The western slopes of the mountains receive significant rainfall, supporting a large temperate rainforest, while the eastern slopes are drier. The area is home to a variety of wildlife, including Roosevelt elk and endemic species like the Olympic marmot.23

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Relief and drainage
In the northwest the Olympic Peninsula borders the Pacific Ocean south of the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Dense rainforests extend along the western slopes of the rugged Olympic Mountains, which rise to 7,965 feet (2,428 meters) on Mount Olympus.
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In the northwest the Olympic Peninsula borders the Pacific Ocean south of the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Dense rainforests extend along the western slopes of the rugged Olympic Mountains, which rise to 7,965 feet (2,428 meters) on Mount Olympus.
Read More