Home / Environment / Lake Cushman Areas Reopen After Devastating Fire
Lake Cushman Areas Reopen After Devastating Fire
7 Jul
Summary
- Recreational areas near Lake Cushman reopen after a year-long closure.
- The Staircase area and access road to Hoodsport will reopen on July 8.
- Wilderness trails remain closed due to hazards and infrastructure repair.
Olympic National Park announced that the Staircase area and the access road connecting Hoodsport to Lake Cushman will reopen to the public on Wednesday, July 8, 2026. These areas have been closed since the human-caused Bear Gulch Fire ignited on July 6, 2025, which eventually spread across over 20,000 acres of the Olympic National Forest.
While some closures were lifted last fall, the Staircase area's closure persisted due to gravity hazards and extensive fire damage. Developed facilities, including the campground, ranger station, and Rapids Loop Trail, will be available, with campground reservations resuming online. However, wilderness trails beyond the developed areas will still be closed as crews assess hazards and repair backcountry infrastructure.
Park officials caution visitors about potential hazards in burned areas, such as falling trees, loose rocks, and unstable ground. They advise visitors to stay on marked trails, be aware of their surroundings, check weather conditions, and clean their gear to protect the recovering ecosystems. Restoration work will continue throughout the summer, and further changes to area closures may occur.
