OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK — Some of the most popular areas of Olympic National Park have reopened.
Hurricane Ridge, the Hoh Rainforest and Rialto Beach are now open for day-use recreation.
The Ridge visitor center is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for access to restrooms only from the upper level. Restrooms are also available at Picnic Area A and Picnic Area B on Hurricane Hill Road.
Rangers are available outside on the porch during visitor center hours.
Also open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the lower level is the Hurricane Ridge Mountain View Café, which offers take-out only, and the gift shop.
Parking is at a premium, park officials warn. A sewer system project is continuing through the summer.
Obstruction Point Road and Hurricane Hill Road beyond the Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center are open for day-use recreation. Overnight backpacking and camping is closed until further notice.
Hurricane Hill Trail will remain open until the final phase of the trail project — paving — begins in July.
The Hoh Rainforest trails are available for day hiking. Park rangers are available outside the visitor center from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. The Hoh Campground is open.
Rialto Beach is open for day-use recreation. The coastal area is closed to overnight backpacking and camping until further notice.
The Ozette area also is open for day-use recreation and day hiking the Ozette Loop.
Shi Shi Beach remains closed to all park visitors until further notice.
The Ozette Coast is closed to overnight backpacking and camping until further notice.
The reopening of these areas last Friday is in addition to earlier day-use reopening in May of the Kalaloch area, which includes Kalaloch Beach, Ruby Beach and Beaches 1-6; the Lake Crescent area; Log Cabin Resort; the Sol Duc area, although the Salmon Cascades viewing platform is closed for repairs beginning today and extending through July 1.
Heart O’ the Hills area also is open for day use as is the Elwha Valley, although Olympic Hot Springs Road is closed to vehicles at the Madison Falls parking area due to a road washout.
But the road is open to pedestrians, stock, bicyclists and pets on leash.
The Quinault Rain Forest is open as are the Lower Queets Road, Upper Queets Road and the Staircase area.
For more information, see nps.gov/olym/index.htm or call 360-565-3131. For road and weather updates, call 360-565-3130.
