Exploring Olympic National Park & Protecting the Places We Love

Summer backpacking permits become available for reservation April 15, 2025

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 us 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, 2025
• 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.

Teresa Hagerty, Board of Directors & Volunteer Park Ranger

Washington's National Park Fund - Mount Rainier, North Cascades, and Olympic National Parks
Teresa is an experienced Outdoor Guide, Wilderness First Responder, and Volunteer Interpretative Ranger for Mount Rainier National Park. She also proudly 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, WA 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

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 :

Since the pandemic, the Kula Academy has hosted nearly 600 classes and events. We’ve hiked sections of the PCT, summited volcanoes, paddled wild rivers, camped under starlit skies, painted, jumped into cold water for no good reason and danced — A LOT! Along the way, we’ve 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. It's a corner of the universe where adventure, creativity and stewardship collide!

Whether you’re here to learn how to secure permits, master winter camping, learn “How Not to Die” doing the things you love, or simply because a pee cloth brought you our way, doesn’t matter. What matters is that you’re here! And we’re glad that our paths have crossed. We hope that you’ll join us on our adventures because you’re the missing ingredient in our trail mix. Come ready to laugh, learn, and leave with new friends and hopefully a deeper connection to others, yourself, and the world around us.

Check out all of our . And if you're interested in teaching a class, feel free to reach out to [email protected]

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