Staircase Welcomes Visitors Again

After more than a year of closure, the Staircase developed area of Olympic National Park reopened to visitors on July 8, along with Forest Service Road 24 and several recreation sites around Lake Cushman. The area had been closed since the Bear Gulch Fire ignited in the Olympic National Forest on July 6, 2025.

Since reopening, visitors have been accessing Staircase Campground, the Staircase Ranger Station, Rapids Loop Trail, Mt. Rose Trail, Mildred Lakes Trail, Dry Creek East Trailhead, and day-use sites along Lake Cushman. Some areas remain closed while crews continue hazard assessments and repairs, including wilderness trails beyond the developed area, FS-2451, and the Copper Creek Trail.

The reopening followed months of work to stabilize roads, clear drainage infrastructure, repair trails, remove hazard trees, and address other safety concerns. Restoration work is continuing, and visitors are reminded that burned areas may still contain falling trees, loose rocks, unstable ground, stump holes, and other hazards.

With Staircase open again, visitors are once again able to experience an area that has meant so much to the community, while seeing the ongoing recovery from the Bear Gulch Fire firsthand. As restoration work continues, the reopening marks an important step in bringing visitors back to this part of Olympic National Park.

On July 31, Interpretive Ranger Christopher Albrecht honored retired Ranger and longtime volunteer George Bowen. Bowen was joined by his family and friends at Staircase to recognize his years of service. For those who know George from the Hoodsport Visitor Information Center, it was a fitting celebration of his long connection to the parks and public lands of the region.