Washington Parks, Forests & Public Lands - The National Parks Experience

Olympic’s Sol Duc Falls Temporarily Closed To Recover Body Of Man Who Fell Into The Waterfall

Bram — Wed, 11 Jun 2025 00:54:42 +0000

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, Olympic National Park management said in a press release. A park ranger located a completely submerged body pinned between the...

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Mount Rainier National Park Announces Scaled Back Timed Entry Reservations for Summer 2025

Bram — Sat, 10 May 2025 19:18:40 +0000

After months of uncertainty and lack of communication, Mount Rainier National Park announced its 2025 timed entry reservation requirements in a Facebook post on May 8. The park said that “summer 2025 timed entry Reservations [will be] required for the Sunrise/White River Corridor only.” This is a scaled-back version of Mount Rainier’s reservation system in...

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Hoh Rain Forest Scheduled to Reopen by May 9

Bram — Wed, 30 Apr 2025 20:36:38 +0000

Since a winter storm caused serious damage to the Upper Hoh Road on December 20, 2024, the popular Hoh Rain Forest in Olympic National Park has been closed to the public, including vehicle, bicycle, and foot traffic. Due to funding issues, repairing the road had been delayed for months until mid-April, when construction finally began....

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Best Spring Wildflower Hikes in the Columbia River Gorge

Bram — Fri, 18 Apr 2025 14:38:00 +0000

From April to June, wildflower hikes dominate outdoor recreation in the Columbia River Gorge. Both in Washington and Oregon, there are a number of trails that run across meadows and hills covered in colorful balsamroot, Indian paintbrush, lupines and more.

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Fort Vancouver National Historic Site: A Journey Through Time in the Pacific Northwest

Bram — Fri, 28 Mar 2025 17:12:27 +0000

If you’re planning a trip to the Pacific Northwest and love a mix of history, nature, and a little bit of aviation, put Fort Vancouver National Historic Site at the top of your list. Located just across the river from Portland, Oregon, in Vancouver, Washington, this unique national site offers visitors the opportunity to explore...

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Hoh Rain Forest in Olympic National Park Remains Inaccessible Due to Federal Funding Issues, May Not Open This Spring or Summer

Bram — Mon, 03 Mar 2025 20:15:58 +0000

Olympic National Park’s ultra-popular Hoh Rain Forest—often called the “quietest place in America”—has been closed since December 20, 2024, when a winter storm damaged the Upper Hoh Road. A week later, rainfall from a second storm caused the Hoh River’s water level to rise, resulting in more damage to the road. The road remains closed...

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