With its lush rainforests, windswept coastal trails and rugged alpine peaks, Olympic National Park is a bucket-list destination for outdoor enthusiasts.

But did you know that securing a wilderness permit for some of the park’s most iconic areas — like the High Divide, Seven Lakes Basin or Ozette Coast — can be highly competitive?

Whether you’re dreaming of sleeping under a canopy of ancient trees, exploring tidepools by moonlight or trekking to breathtaking alpine views, careful planning is key to making your Olympic adventure a reality. Join the Kula Academy for an engaging virtual class that will equip you with the tools to navigate the permit process and explore responsibly while enjoying this one-of-a-kind wilderness.

What to expect:

A virtual tour of Olympic National Park:

Discover the park’s most stunning backcountry destinations, from moss-draped rainforests to dramatic coastal cliffs and alpine lakes

Tips for timing your trip to beat the crowds and experience the park at its best

Understanding the permit system:

Summer wilderness permits open April 15

Why quotas are essential for protecting fragile areas

Tips for securing permits for popular locations and exploring hidden gems

Important reservation dates for areas with quotas

Permits and non-quota zones: What you need to know

Leave no trace and backcountry hygiene:

How to minimize your impact in delicate ecosystems, including rainforests, coastlines, and alpine zones

7 principles of leave no trace including personal hygiene in the backcountry

Hear from a park ranger, Leave No Trace educator, and backcountry experts who will help you navigate the challenges of exploring the Olympics responsibly

Panelists:

Teresa Hagerty, volunteer park ranger

Teresa is an experienced Outdoor Guide, Wilderness First Responder, and Volunteer Interpretative Ranger for Mount Rainier National Park. She also serves on the Board of Directors for Washington’s National Park Fund. She is passionate about our shared outdoor treasures and how we can all work together to enjoy, protect, and support our public lands. She lives in Seattle with her husband and two rescue hedgehogs.

Bonnie Ackerman, Leave No Trace Educator

Bonnie Ackerman is a Leave No Trace educator. She’ll discuss the principles of Leave No Trace to help us protect the North Cascades for generations to come.

Anastasia Allison, Founder Kula Cloth

Anastasia will discuss peeing, pooping, periods and personal hygiene in the Enchantments and other environmentally sensitive areas. She’ll discuss how to go, where to go and other important things to know so that you can help keep these places pristine for others on the trail.

About the Kula Academy:

Since the pandemic, the Kula Academy has hosted nearly 600 classes and events. They’ve hiked sections of the Pacific Crest Trail, summited volcanoes, paddled wild rivers, camped under starlit skies, painted, jumped into cold water for no good reason and danced. Along the way, the Academy removed heaps of garbage from the Mountain Loop Highway, planted deciduous and evergreen trees, and taught people how to leave the world a better place.

Check out all of their classes at https://www.eventbrite.com/o/kula-cloth-30263713380, including the Olympics virtual tour.

Seattle Times A view of La Push Beach.

Seattle Times A view of Hole-In-the-Wall.