Olympic National Park open amid shutdown, but visitors mostly on their own

PORT ANGELES — Visitors to Olympic National Park will be largely on their own during the shutdown of the federal government, although Hurricane Ridge Road will remain closed until appropriations resume, park spokeswoman Penny Wagner said in a press release Jan. 21.

Park roads, lookouts, and trails at Olympic National Park will remain accessible to visitors. But emergency and rescue services will be limited, Wagner said. Rialto Beach remains inaccessible by vehicle since last week’s storm surge, she added.

Because of the shutdown, Wagner said the park will be absent visitor services, including public information, restrooms, trash collection and facilities and roads maintenance (including plowing).

Some lodging, restaurants and other services might be available when provided by concessionaires or other entities such as Kalaloch Lodge and NatureBridge, she said.

Reservations at park hotels for example, should be confirmed by contacting the concessionaire that operates the hotel or visiting their website.

Restrooms will be closed, and there will be no trash collection or road maintenance, including snow plowing.

National Park Service social media and websites are not being monitored or updated and might not reflect current conditions.

All park programs have been canceled, including guided snowshoe walks at Hurricane Ridge.

The National Park Service will not be providing services for NPS-operated campgrounds, including maintenance, janitorial, bathrooms, showers, check-in/check-out and reservations.

However, visitors in NPS-operated campgrounds will not be asked to leave unless safety concerns require such action.

For updates on the shutdown, go to www.doi.gov/shutdown.