Large trees and ferns inhabit the temperate forests of Olympic.
With its incredible range of precipitation and elevation, diversity is the hallmark of Olympic National Park. Encompassing nearly a million acres, the park protects a vast wilderness, thousands of years of human history, and several distinctly different ecosystems, including glacier-capped mountains, old-growth temperate rain forests, and over 70 miles of wild coastline. Come explore!
On September 6, Olympic Interagency Fire crews discovered a lightning-caused fire start approximately 0.5 miles southeast of the Sunnybrook Wilderness Campsite in Olympic National Park. The Sunnybrook Meadow Fire currently covers 1/10 of an acre in the Daniel J. Evans Wilderness. There are no closures or threats to public safety or infrastructure at this time.
Beginning on September 9, Geo Stabilization will repair an eroding riverbank on Mora Road, the primary route to Rialto Beach in Olympic National Park. Construction crews will stabilize and reinforce the northern bank of the Quillayute River, which has been eroding over the past several years. Traffic will be reduced to one lane through the 0.25-mile work zone beginning near mile post 1.75. Visitors should expect up to 20-minute delays.
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.
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.
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.