Olympic National Park

11/06/2026

Across the National Park System, memorials, monuments and historic landscapes preserve the stories of those who served and sacrificed. From the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and World War II Memorial to the Korean War Veterans Memorial, Pearl Harbor National Memorial and the newly dedicated Desert Shield and Desert Storm Memorial, these places invite us to reflect on the people behind the history.

Beyond the memorials, historic battlefields, military forts and other sites across the country help tell the stories of generations who served. On Veterans Day, take time to visit a place of remembrance, discover a story you didn't know, and honor those who served.

Explore places that commemorate America's military history: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/npscelebrates/veterans-day.htm

Image: Desert Shield and Desert Storm Memorial Raptors in Flight. NPS/Brodsky

11/06/2026

11/05/2026

The histories, cultures, and living traditions of Native Americans, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islander communities are an important part of the stories told across our national parks.

Throughout the year, and during November’s Native American Heritage Month, explore the stories, places, and cultural heritage preserved and shared in national parks and communities across the country: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/npscelebrates/native-american-heritage-month.htm

NPS Photo

11/04/2026

It’s leaf-peeping season. The trees have made an effort, so the least we can do is go outside and stare at them.

Leaf peeping is the ancient human tradition of traveling long distances to look at leaves, take photographs, and stand in the middle of roads while saying, “Oh, wow, look at that one.”

Nobody knows exactly when this became a major event, but the trees seem okay with the arrangement. So get out there and see what all the rustle is about.

NPS photos

11/04/2026

As Veterans Day approaches, take a moment to honor those who have served our country. One way to celebrate their service is by helping them discover the places and stories that make our nation's public lands special.

U.S. military veterans and Gold Star Families are eligible for a free America the Beautiful Military Lifetime Pass, providing free access to federal recreation lands where entrance or standard amenity fees are charged.

From the quiet beauty of a mountain trail to the stories preserved at historic sites, our public lands offer opportunities to explore, reflect, learn, and connect with the places that help tell America's story.

Learn how to get your pass and start planning your next adventure: https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/veterans-and-gold-star-families-free-access.htm

Image: Korean War Veterans Memorial at National Mall & Memorial Parks /NPS

11/02/2026

Hello darkness, my old friend. Now you start at 5:00 pm.

With daylight saving time behind us, the sun is clocking out a littler earlier. Just as before, if you’re heading to a national park, make sure and check park hours, trail conditions, weather forecasts, and sunset times.

Fun fact: admiring fall foliage is much more enjoyable when you’re not trying to navigate a trail in the dark while wondering which tree looks familiar.

NPS photo

11/02/2026

11/02/2026

🦋 Imagine flying thousands of miles to make it home for a family reunion. Monarch butterflies do it every year.

Every fall, two journeys come together. As millions of monarch butterflies travel south on one of nature's greatest migrations, families gather to honor loved ones during Day of the Dead or Día de los Mu***os.

For many communities, the arrival of the monarchs is more than a sign of the changing season. These butterflies are seen as messengers, symbolizing the return of loved ones in spirit and serving as a beautiful reminder of the enduring connections between generations.

Traveling thousands of miles across North America, they depend on healthy habitats, including in parks, to rest, feed, and continue their journey.

What animal makes you feel connected to your family or community?

Several parks across the country host cultural Day of the Dead programming, including San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, among others.

NPS Photo taken at Amistad National Recreation Area

11/02/2026

Día de los Mu***os, or Day of the Dead, is a centuries-old tradition that honors the lives of loved ones who have passed. Its roots stretch back to Indigenous cultures of Mesoamerica, where ancestors were remembered through ritual, art, and celebration. When the Spanish arrived in what is now Texas, these native customs merged with Catholic traditions like All Saints’ and All Souls’ Day; creating the vibrant holiday we know today.

At San Antonio Missions, you can see this cultural fusion come to life. From colorful altars adorned with marigolds and candles to music, food, and stories, the park reflects how Spanish and Indigenous traditions shaped communities along the San Antonio River.

Come explore mission descendant ofrendas/ Day of the Dead altars while they are still inside the Mission San Jose granary for a few more days!

NPS Photo/ Andrew Shirey

10/31/2026

This is Halloween, this is Halloween
Pumpkins* scream in the dead of night!

Happy Halloween!

*No pumpkins have been observed screaming in national parks. You may be hearing a coyote, bobcat, fox, owl, or that marmot looking for Alan…or was it Steve?

Image: Boo! Carved jack-o’-lantern with ranger hat at Hartwell Tavern at Minute Man National Historical Park

10/31/2026

Trick or treat, moths are sweet, give me something good to eat!

This Halloween, as you fill up on candy, bats are devouring flying insects to prepare for hibernation.

Most of Olympic’s bats hibernate in winter when there are fewer insects to eat. But we know relatively little about where they go. Some crawl into crevices in soil or tree roots. Others hide out in cracks alone or in small groups.

During hibernation, bats face a frightening threat: a deadly fungus that grows into their skin, causing a disease known as white-nose syndrome.

Researchers at Olympic are using acoustic monitoring and radio telemetry to study their activity leading up to hibernation, hoping to understand bats at a vulnerable time.

Video description: A river at night. Bats fly through the air, swooping to catch insects, above the surface of the water.

10/29/2026

Many seasonal jobs at Olympic are now accepting applications for 2027, including fee technicians, maintenance workers, and more. These applications close soon! See current opportunities at the link, and select Port Angeles, Forks, Hoodsport, or Clearwater, Washington to work at Olympic.

https://www.nps.gov/olym/getinvolved/workwithus.htm

10/28/2026

Thinking of dressing as a superhero for Halloween? Consider being a bat.

There’s a reason these small, fuzzy creatures inspired Batman: they have superpowers!

Bats see with sound and eat bugs for breakfast. Some (including species found in Olympic) can live over 30 years despite their small size. And they’re mammals, just like us—the only ones that can fly.

But like other superheroes, they have a weakness. A deadly fungal disease known as white-nose syndrome threatens bats across the country. This year for the first time, bats in San Juan Island National Historical Park , our neighbor to the north, received newly-developed oral vaccines to protect them against the fungus that causes white-nose syndrome!

Next year, a bat colony in Olympic is slated to receive the same vaccine—helping protect these tiny superheroes, and the rich ecosystems they’re part of.

Read more: https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/san-juan-island-white-nose-syndrome-vaccines.htm

10/26/2026

King tides are dangerous - bring caution to the coast!

Fall brings higher high tides, which will cover some coastal routes completely. That means the beach you planned to hike could suddenly be underwater!

Always consult a tide chart and map. Watch for rogue waves, and be VERY careful around beach logs, which tides can move unexpectedly.

Stay safe everyone!

Photo: NPS/S. Sheltren

10/20/2026

POV: We’re banana slugs in the Quinault Rainforest

Banana slugs are one of Olympic National Park’s iconic creatures, with colors ranging from bright yellow with brown spots to dark olive green, and a tell-tale trail of slime. Hoping to spot one? You can often find them in cool, damp places like downed logs, patches of moss, or even on the trail after a rain!

A few reminders to help us protect banana slugs:

👣 Stay on trail! Banana slugs live in fragile rainforest ecosystems filled with life all the way down to the microscopic. Stepping on these ecosystems can wreak havoc on the organism that live there.

👀 Watch your step! Look out for slugs on the trail, particularly after a rain! Banana slugs have soft bodies and no shell - keep an eye out for them as you explore the rainforests of Olympic.

📸 Take nothing but photos! Banana slugs play a vital role in the ecosystem as the clean-up crew for all kinds of detritus - including animal p**p - so be sure to leave them just where you find them.

Photos: NPS/RACHEL TAYLOR

10/16/2026

We’re so proud to have received a grant from National Park Foundation to connect students with Olympic National Park and foster the next generation of park stewards! As a returning Open OutDoors for Kids grantee, we're gearing up for another year of classroom visits and field trips for elementary school kids. Grants like this one make Olympic's education program, and the amazing experiences it creates for young people, possible. But you don't have to take our word for it - the reviews speak for themselves! Can you guess which are from teachers and which are from students?

"The hands-on activities and ability to learn about our own backyard was so valuable. This learning program is most of the students first experience seeing a microscope. The whole experience was engaging and supportive of our learning needs."

"I love it here! I want to come here all the time! I want to come on my birthday. I want to come when I’m a teenager. And I want to come as an adult. And be a ranger! And work here forever!"

"I love that this trip touches on pieces that we talked about in the class lesson, but also that it leaves room for inquiry and not just facts/journaling/too much structure."

"You know, I really do feel like a scientist."

10/08/2026

Here's the scoop - we've got p**p! The park's trusty mules have been producing plenty (is there anything they can't do?!), and if you could use some good compost, it's yours for the taking!

WHAT:
Some call it "black gold." We call it manure which has been composting for over a year, from mules fed weed-free hay and organic Wilderness vegetation.

WHERE:
The Madison Falls Parking area, outside Port Angeles, WA

WHEN:
Friday, October 9th, 9 am - 4 pm
Saturday, October 10th 10 am - 2 pm
Thursday, October 15th 9 am - 4 pm
Friday, October 16th 10 am - 2 pm

HOW:
We'll have two large containers and shovels set up near the gate for you to scoop. The compost is entirely free, self-serve, and yours to transport.

10/06/2026

Give us space, we bearly know you!

On your next trip to Olympic, you may see more bears than you expected! Every fall, bears prepare for winter by eating as much as possible. Larger bears can take the choice foraging spots, pushing smaller bears to less desirable foraging areas near trails. Young bears need space to find food. Help these bears by using the Rule of Thumb to figure out if you're a safe distance away:

1. Extend your arm and stick out your thumb
2. Close one eye
3. Try to cover the animal with your thumb

If you can completely cover the animal with your thumb, you are a safe distance (100 yards) away!

Never approach, touch, or feed wild animals.

Photo: NPS/R Kunz

Image description: A black bear stands in a mountain meadow. The bear has short, round ears, dark eyes, traces of blonde fur around the mouth and nose, and is looking slightly to the right of the camera. The bear is surrounded by brown earth and short yellow plants. Green trees are visible in the distance.

09/23/2026

Trip planners, take note!

Thank you to WSDOT for making these crucial repairs to a 95-year-old bridge! Check out their page on this repair for all the details.

https://wsdot.wa.gov/construction-planning/search-projects/us-101-hoh-river-bridge-emergency-repair

09/17/2026

UPDATE: Overnight closures will now begin Tuesday, Sept. 15, instead of the originally scheduled start date of Monday, Sept. 14.
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ATTENTION, OLYMPIC PENINSULA TRAVELERS! The US 101 Hoh River Bridge requires emergency repairs that will prevent your ability to make a complete loop around the peninsula for the better part of three weeks. Please read the details below carefully, reference the map, and adjust your travels as needed:

The US 101 Hoh River Bridge south of Forks needs emergency repairs. This bridge is 95 years old, and while it CAN be repaired, it requires nighttime closures starting Tuesday, Sept. 15, and around-the-clock closures starting Thursday, Sept. 24.

NIGHTTIME CLOSURES: Tuesday, Sept. 15, to Tuesday, Sept. 22, from 10:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.

AROUND-THE-CLOCK CLOSURES:
- 5 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 24, to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 29
- 5 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 1, to noon Tuesday, Oct. 6
- 5 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 8, to noon Tuesday, Oct. 13

This means travelers heading NORTH to visit the Hoh Rainforest, Forks, Rialto Beach, or La Push and travelers heading SOUTH to visit Ruby Beach, the Quinault Rainforest, or the Kalaloch beaches will need to prepare for hours-long detours during these closures.

We understand this is a major inconvenience, and crews will work very hard to get this work finished as soon as possible.

For more information on this project, visit our project website at this link: https://wsdot.wa.gov/construction-planning/search-projects/us-101-hoh-river-bridge-emergency-repair