News Release

Olympic National Park is Further Modifying Operations to Implement Local Health Guidance

Date: March 22, 2020
Contact: Penny Wagner, 360-565-3005

Port Angeles, WA – Olympic National Park is announcing additional modifications to operations to support federal, state, and local efforts to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

As of March 22, 2020 Olympic National Park will offer very limited services outside those that support visitor or resource protection. At Olympic National Park, the following services and operations will be suspended:

• All park campgrounds are closed including: Staircase, Heart O’ the Hills, Ozette, Mora, Hoh, Kalaloch, Queets, North Fork, and Graves Creek. Deer Park, Fairholme, Sol Duc, and South Beach have not opened for the season and remain closed at this time.
• Visitor centers are closed.
• Winter operations at Hurricane Ridge ended as of March 17. The Hurricane Ridge Road is closed above the Heart O’ the Hills entrance station.
• Kalaloch Lodge, Creekside Restaurant and The Mercantile will be closed as of March 23
• Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort, Campground and RV Park and Sol Duc Road have delayed opening until April 24.

The health and safety of our visitors, employees, volunteers, partners, and neighboring communities is our number one priority. The National Park Service (NPS) is working with federal, state, and local authorities to closely monitor COVID-19. We will notify the public when we resume full operations and provide updates on our website and social media channels.  

Outdoor spaces including most hiking trails and day-use areas remain accessible to the public in accordance with the latest federal, state, and local health guidance, in addition to entry fees being waived for visitors. Law enforcement and public health services will continue operations.

The NPS encourages people who choose to visit Olympic National Park during this pandemic to adhere to guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state and local public health authorities to protect visitors and employees. As services are limited, the NPS urges visitors to continue to practice Leave No Trace principles, including pack-in and pack-out, to keep outdoor spaces safe and healthy.

The NPS urges visitors to do their part when visiting a park and to follow CDC guidance to prevent the spread of infectious diseases by maintaining a safe distance between yourself and other groups; washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds; avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth; covering your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze; and most importantly, staying home if you feel sick.   

For high-risk populations, such as the elderly and people with underlying conditions, we ask that they take extra caution and follow CDC guidance for those at higher risk of serious illness. 

Visitors are encouraged to take advantage of the digital tools already available to explore Olympic National Park. Please continue to enjoy Olympic National Park through the park’s webcams. There are many educational resources available to explore on the Olympic National Park webpage to help you stay connected to your national park.

Updates about NPS operations will be posted on www.nps.gov/coronavirus. Please check nps.gov/olym for specific details about park operations.