Olympic National Park News
Showing the last 10 news releases. Click here to visit nps.gov's Olympic National Park - News section for more.
Hoh Area of Olympic National Park Closed Until Jefferson County Partners Assess Road
August 15, 2025 | 9:03 pm
Due to concerns about the condition of a temporary access road, the Hoh Rain Forest area of Olympic National Park is temporarily closed. The Jefferson County culvert project at milepost 1.24 on the Upper Hoh Road is experiencing some backup flooding. The area will reopen as soon as Jefferson County partners assess the construction site and confirm the temporary bypass road is safe for travel.
Campfire Ban Begins August 1 in Olympic National Park and Olympic National Forest
July 31, 2025 | 8:45 am
All campfires will be prohibited in Olympic National Park and Olympic National Forest starting at 12 a.m. on Friday, August 1, 2025. This applies to anything that produces ash, including charcoal grills. Gas or propane stoves, lanterns, or heating devices are permitted in campgrounds and wilderness areas if there is no flammable material within three feet of the device. These stoves must be equipped with an on-off switch or valve capable of immediately extinguishing the flame. Extreme caution is urged with any open flame.
Mountain lion injures child in Olympic National Park, Rangers seek witnesses
July 21, 2025 | 2:36 pm
On July 20, a four-year-old child was injured by a mountain lion near the Victoria Overlook area on Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National Park. Witnesses to the event should call 888-653-0009 or email nps_isb@nps.gov. Park staff located and dispatched the animal on July 21. There are no current threats to the public.
Two injured, one deceased in small plane crash in southwest corner of Olympic National Park
July 16, 2025 | 1:06 pm
One person is dead, and two others are injured after a small plane crashed in a remote area of Olympic National Park, according to National Park Service officials. Around 6:50 p.m. on July 15, park rangers were notified of the crash in the Quinault area of Olympic National Park. The crash site is on a forested, steep slope north of the Irely Lake Trailhead.
Olympic National Park and Olympic National Forest Campfire Restrictions Begin July 11
July 10, 2025 | 11:12 am
Due to dry conditions, high fire danger, and the number of interagency resources already dedicated to active incidents, campfires in Olympic National Park and Olympic National Forest will be restricted to established fire rings starting at 12 a.m. on July 11th, 2025.
Bear Gulch Fire Update: Staircase and Lake Cushman areas closed, crews limit eastern spread
July 8, 2025 | 7:21 pm
On July 8, Olympic Interagency Fire crews continued their efforts to contain the human-caused Bear Gulch Fire with heavy helicopters and ground crews. As of 6:00 p.m. PST, 328 acres have burned north of Lake Cushman in Olympic National Forest. The helicopter water drops limited the fire’s eastern spread to five acres. There are currently no evacuation orders for nearby communities.
Bear Gulch Fire closes FS-24 along Lake Cushman, Staircase Campground and Trailheads
July 7, 2025 | 6:25 pm
On July 6, a human-caused fire was reported in Olympic National Forest near the Mt. Rose Trailhead along the Lake Cushman Corridor (FS-24). The fire – named the Bear Gulch Fire – is burning on a steep, rocky slope north of Lake Cushman and southeast of the Staircase area of Olympic National Park. The fire is approximately 200 acres. There is no current threat to structures or nearby communities.
Update: Sol Duc Recovery Will Resume As Soon As Conditions Allow
June 17, 2025 | 10:12 am
Last week, Olympic National Park teams versed in technical and swiftwater rescue worked to recover an 18-year-old man's body that was located below Sol Duc Falls on June 9. Recovery efforts included lowering multiple responders into the narrow canyon. Attempts to recover the submerged body were unsuccessful. Rangers faced high river flows in the 7-8' wide canyon due to recent warm temperatures and rapid snowmelt. The park’s priority is to safely complete this recovery as soon as conditions allow. Rangers will continue to monitor the target area, natural hazards, and changing conditions. Recovery operations will resume when it is safe to do so.
Sol Duc Falls area temporarily closed to recover the body of an 18-year-old man
June 10, 2025 | 4:12 pm
The Sol Duc Falls area is closed while the Olympic National Park Search and Rescue (SAR) Team prepares to recover the body of an 18-year-old man who fell over the 50’ waterfall on June 8. A park ranger located a completely submerged body pinned between the first and second falls late on June 9. It is likely that this is the visitor who fell over the falls the day before.
Explor Olympic, LLC selected for concession contract in Olympic National Park
May 29, 2025 | 10:00 am
Explor Olympic, LLC has been selected to provide lodging, food and beverage, and other visitor services at Lake Crescent Lodge, Log Cabin Resort, Fairholme Store, and Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National Park. This new concession contract will be effective on February 1, 2026, and conclude on January 31, 2038.