Hood Canal Visitor Center

01/27/2026

FYI

If conditions are favorable Tuesday, January 27, Olympic Interagency Fire Management officials plan to conduct prescribed burning operations in the Forest Service lands northwest of Hoodsport, WA along Lake Cushman.

Ignitions are scheduled to begin at 9:30a.m. and are expected to take most of the day to complete. If conditions remain favorable, burning may occur on January 28th and 29th to complete the piles in the area. The debris piles were created during fire suppression of the Bear Gulch Fire.

Smoke may be visible throughout the Lake Cushman area and Skokomish valley. Travelers in these areas may experience intermittent smoke impacts. Smoke may be visible throughout the week; forecasted rain will significantly decrease fire activity.

Learn more: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r06/olympic/newsroom/releases/burn-pile-operations-planned-along-lake-cushman-january-27

12/17/2025

UPDATE: Both directions of US 101 in Hoodsport have reopened.

Travelers beware! In the evening on Tuesday, December 16, a hillside gave way, causing a landslide that has blocked US Highway 101 just north of milepost 330.

There is currently a detour option. Learn more in the Mason County Sheriff's Office post below.

⚠️ Road Closure Update – US Highway 101 ⚠️

During the evening hours of Monday, December 16, a hillside gave way, causing a landslide that blocked US Highway 101 just north of milepost 330.

🚧 The roadway remains closed in the Hoodsport area at the following locations:
• South end: N Finch Creek
• North end: Glen Ayr Resort

➡️ Detour Route:
SR 119 to N Jorstad Creek Rd via FS-24 Rd

⚠️ Important Safety Reminder:
We are experiencing several drivers attempting to bypass posted road closure signs. These closures are in place for your safety and the safety of emergency crews and road workers. Obey all road closure signs and barriers. Driving around them is dangerous and may result in enforcement action.

For the most current and accurate updates regarding this closure and reopening efforts, please continue to refer to WSDOT.

Thank you for your cooperation, patience, and help in keeping everyone safe.

~56

12/10/2025

Be aware of flooding conditions in the forest! Some sites may be closed or have limited access due to recent weather. If you’re planning a visit, be sure to check current conditions before you head out and have an alternate plan ready. Stay safe!

12/10/2025

Free days at State Parks in 2026 have been announced!

No pass is required for state lands on these days in 2026. Other nonstate sites may still have fees and pass requirements on these days.

Mark your calendars for the 2026 Discover Pass free days 📅

A Discover Pass is not needed to park on lands managed by us, Washington State Department of Natural Resources and Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife on the following days ⬇️

11/06/2025

The visitor center is closed today, November 6. We will reopen tomorrow, November 7 at 10:00a.

10/10/2025

Check out this beautiful hike!

With a name that may instill a chill if you’re prone to arachnophobia, fear not a visit to Spider Lake. Children will love hiking along its shores looking for birds, fish, amphibians and other critters. They’ll also appreciate the well-built bridges spanning the lake’s inlet and outlet streams...

10/10/2025

10/01/2025

Thanks to favorable weather conditions, Olympic National Park is returning to Stage 1 fire restrictions tomorrow, September 27! Campfires in established, front-country fire rings will be allowed. For more trip planning information, check the alerts on our website: https://www.nps.gov/olym/planyourvisit/conditions.htm

Image: In the bottom half of the image, three campers prepare food on a picnic table. Five tents are pitched beside and behind the campers. The tents are pale yellow, white, and pale green in color. A thick green canopy fills the top half of the image. Smoke from a campfire wafts between the tents.

09/25/2025

Update on Bear Gulch closures from our friends at the National Forest:

09/17/2025

09/16/2025

Fire update for the Bear Gulch and Tunnel Creek Fires.

08/30/2025

Reminder of recreation closures. Be safe and responsible this weekend! 🌲

As Labor Day nears, remember the Bear Gulch Fire! Parts of Olympic Park are closed. Stay safe! . ~1L2

Road Closures:
The closure of Forest Road 2400 begins at mile post 10.5

Road closures include NFS Roads 2451, 2419, 2464, 2340, 2353, 2354, 2361, 2355, and all spur roads located within the closure area.

Current Park Closures:

Staircase Trailheads and Campground
Northfork Skokomish River Trail from Staircase to Flapjack Lakes Trail junction
Wagonwheel Lake Trail
Shady Lane Trail
Four Stream Trail
Slide Camp and Wagonwheel Lake wilderness campsites
Skyline Ridge Trail from Lake Beauty to Low Divide Camp

Forest Service Closures:

#814 Mt. Rose Trail
#872 Dry Creek Trail
#812 and #812.1 Mt. Ellinor Trail Upper and Lower
#827 Big Creek Campground Trail
#827.1 Upper Big Creek Loop Trail
#827.2 Mt. Ellinor Connector Trail
#800 Jefferson Pass Trail
#876 Copper Creek Trail
#873 Lower South Fork Skokomish Trail
#873.1 Upper South Fork Skokomish Trail
#873.2 Lower South Fork Skokomish Lebar Creek Trail
#873.3 Lower South Fork Skokomish 120 Access Trail
#873.4 Lower South Fork Skokomish Homestead Trail
#873.6 Lower South Fork Skokomish Camp Comfort Trail
#870 Church Creek Shelter Trail
#877 Brown Creek Trail
#822 Mildred Lakes Trail
Big Creek Campground
Bear Gulch Picnic Area
Cushman Day Use Site 1 Picnic Area
Cushman Day Use Site 2 Picnic Area
Cushman Day Use Site 3 Picnic Area
Cushman Day Use Site 4 Picnic Area
Cushman Day Use Site 5 Picnic Area
Mt Rose Trailhead
Mt. Ellinor Trailheads Upper and Lower
Copper Creek Trailhead
Mildred Lakes Trailhead
Brown Creek Campground
Le Bar Horse Camp
Lower South Fork Skokomish Trailheads
Brown Creek Trailhead
Church Creek Shelter
Harps Shelter
Upper South Fork Skokomish Trailhead
Dry Creek West Trailhead
Dry Creek Connector Trailheads