OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK – Olympic National Park has closed all National Park Service-managed beaches and coastal areas on the Olympic Peninsula to park visitors to slow the spread of COVID-19.
The additional closures include all parking areas, trails, beaches and facilities at Kalaloch, Mora (Rialto Beach) and Ozette. These closures are in effect until further notice, said Penny Wagner, park spokesperson, in a press release.
The National Park Service will notify the public when it resumes full operations at these recreation sites through the Olympic National Park website at www.nps.gov/olym/index.htm and social media.
Additionally, the beach at Dungeness Spit — which is in a national wildlife refuge managed by U.S. Fish and Wildlife — cannot be accessed because Voice of America Road through the Dungeness Recreation Area County Park has been closed by Clallam County until April 30.
The decision to close the coastal areas at Kalaloch, Mora and Ozette was made in response to guidance from local county health departments on the Olympic Peninsula and supported by the city of Forks, according to the NPS.
A statewide “stay home, stay healthy” order is in place until May 4 to control the spread of COVID-19.
Updates about park operations will be posted on www.nps.gov/coronavirus.
