Olympic Peninsula Gateway Visitor's Center

10/21/2024

Translation for visitors to the Olympic Peninsula...
Oct. 24 to (approx.) Nov. 15, you won't be able to turn right on Paradise Bay Road once crossing the Hood Canal Bridge.
Instead, you can turn at Teal Lake Road.
Better yet, we recommend traveling up to the - newly completed roundabout - at SR 19 (Beaver Valley Road) and stopping in to say "Hello" to us at the Olympic Peninsula Gateway Visitor's Center prior to traveling on towards Port Ludlow, Chimacum, the Tri-Areas, Marrowstone Island, or elsewhere on the Quimper Peninsula.

Access from SR 104 to Paradise Bay Road closes Oct. 24

Closure will last approximately three weeks

PORT LUDLOW – Travelers who use State Route 104 to reach Paradise Bay Road should take note of an upcoming temporary closure.

As of 7 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 24:

Access from SR 104 to Paradise Bay Road will close to all traffic for approximately three weeks.

A signed detour via Teal Lake Road will be provided.

All turn restrictions end at Shine Road.

The closure helps reduce the overall timeline for the safety improvement project on SR 104. During the closure, crews will work on the northern side of the new roundabout.

10/09/2024

It's that time of year. Chevy Chase Beach Cabins is one of those places to Experience and Enjoy Olympic Peninsula in style!

It is starting to feel like fall - the air is a little crisper, nights come a little earlier and our favorite part it is pumpkin time. 😀 🧡 🎃 🍁🍂

10/08/2024

Excellent advise!
Stop in for directions...

10/01/2024

Congrats The Resort at Port Ludlow for landing a "hole in one" and earning your golf course the recognition it deserves!

🏌️‍♂️🎉 We are excited to announce that Port Ludlow Golf Course has been voted Bronze Winner in the Best in the PNW People’s Choice Awards by The Seattle Times! 🥉⛳️

A big thank you to everyone who cast their votes and continues to support our course. Whether it's our stunning views, top-notch greens, or the unforgettable experience, we’re so proud to be recognized in the Pacific Northwest!

Come tee it up and see what makes Port Ludlow Golf Course one of the best in the region! ⛰️🌲

📸 Brian Jennings Great Outdoor Photography

09/20/2024

Under current campfire regulations:

Fires may only be built within Olympic National Park established rings, stoves, grills, or fireplaces below the 3,500-foot elevation.

On ocean beaches, fires may not be kindled closer than 10 feet to the nearest beach logs. Fires may not exceed 3 feet in diameter. Campfires and wood-burning camp stoves are not allowed on the coast between the headland at Wedding Rocks and the headland north
of Yellow Banks.

Open fires are prohibited in the following backcountry areas:

Parkwide above 3500’ elevation

The South Ozette Loop from the headland at Wedding Rocks south to the headland at the north end of Yellow Banks

The Olympic Hot Springs area including the Boulder Creek camp area

From 1/4 mile north of Elk Lake (Martin Creek) to, and including, Glacier Meadows and above, to include the lateral moraine/Blue Glacier

Smokey Bear spreads the message that "Only you can prevent wildfires", follow these important safety steps next time you have a campfire. Video by Charity Pa...

09/20/2024

Join coastal clean up this weekend and make a difference!

Join us at Ozette for a beach cleanup! As a volunteer, you can camp at Lake Ozette before hiking out to the coast. At one of the most stunning sections of the Olympic Coast, you’ll collect trash to carry back and leave the beach more beautiful than ever. The deadline to register is ✨Friday (9/13)✨, so find out more and get signed up at the link below!

We hope you’ll be a part of this special celebration of National Public Lands Day!

09/20/2024

This!

Update 9/20: The boil water advisory has been lifted.

Due to a drop in pressure in the potable water distribution system, we are issuing a boil water advisory for the Kalaloch Lodge, Kalaloch campground, and all park facilities in the Kalaloch area today, September 19. Water samples have been collected and the boil water advisory is expected to be lifted within 24 to 48 hours.

Olympic National Park utilities crews contained a leak in a main water line servicing the Kalaloch area this morning. There is currently no water available at the Kalaloch Ranger Station and employee apartments. Water services will not be restored to these facilities until the repairs are complete. Portable toilets have been ordered to serve visitors and employees.

Boiling water kills bacteria and other organisms in the water. To ensure water is safe to use, follow these steps:
- Bring all water to a rolling boil for one minute. Let it cool before using.
- Use boiled or purchased bottled water for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes, and food preparation.

For more information and updates on the advisory, visit:
https://www.nps.gov/olym/learn/news/boil-water-advisory-issued-for-kalaloch-area-olympic-national-park-crews-work-to-restore-water-services-after-valve-failure.htm

Image: A park employee wearing a yellow safety vest sits inside a red excavator. In the foreground, muddy water surrounds a pipe sticking out of a hole in the gravel.

09/19/2024

Work, Relax, Recharge - When you are ready to Enjoy Olympic Peninsula we're here!
Things to do in Brinnon on your upcoming leisure trip in Olympic Peninsula' Jefferson County

Check out some of the things to do in Brinnon on your bleisure trip in Jefferson County.

09/03/2024

This!

Wooden Boat FestivalSeptember 6-8, 2024 Port Townsend, WAGET YOUR TICKETSHalf-Day Workshops with Nigel Calder Renowned boat systems expert Nigel Calder, celebrated for his bestselling books like “Boatowner’s Mechanical and Electrical Manual,” is returning to the Wooden Boat Festival this year ...

08/31/2024

You're welcome!

Sounds like the perfect cover story!

08/30/2024

Only Gas or Propane Fueled Appliances. during these HIGH fire danger days.
as you Enjoy Olympic Peninsula

08/30/2024

as you Enjoy Olympic Peninsula

📢 Press Release: Port Townsend Bay Closed for Shellfish; Quilcene and Dabob Bay Opening 📢

Jefferson County, WA. Shellfish samples from Port Townsend Bay tested by the Washington Department of Health (DOH) were found to have high levels of the biotoxin that causes Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP). Therefore, DOH has closed Port Townsend Bay for the recreational harvest of all species of molluscan shellfish including clams, oysters, mussels, and scallops. Jefferson County Public Health has posted Danger signs at public access points in the area. Crab and shrimp are not included in the closure. Toxins can accumulate in crab gut and butter (the white-yellow fat inside the back of the shell). Clean crab thoroughly and avoid eating the crab butter and guts.

In addition, after a recent shellfish closure on August 14, 2024, DOH has opened Quilcene and Dabob Bay for recreational shellfish harvesting of all shellfish species, effective August 29th.

To read the full press release, visit: https://jeffersoncountypublichealth.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1406

08/28/2024

This! Enjoy Olympic Peninsula

It's a holiday weekend, so how do you avoid...this? Or at least make waiting in line less stressful?

🚘 Plan ahead to arrive at off-peak hours, like early morning and later afternoon or evening.

🚘 Visit some of the less crowded areas of the park. Hurricane Ridge and the Hoh Rainforest are the two most-visited areas, but there is so much more to explore!

Honestly, waiting IS unavoidable sometimes, so if you find yourself in a line, make it nicer for yourself and everyone else:

🚘 Download a podcast before you leave so you have something to listen to in line - Glacier National Park makes a great one called Headwaters.

🚘 Bring a book and an iced tea to enjoy while you're stopped.

🚘 If you're going to be stopped for more than a minute, roll down the windows, turn off your engine and air conditioning, and relax! You'll save fuel and the air will thank you.

🚘 When you make it to the entrance booth, be kind to the rangers. A friendly face is always extra welcome on these busy weekends ❤️

See you soon!

08/28/2024

Get out on the Olympic Discovery Trail and Enjoy Olympic Peninsula!

We love hearing (and sharing) how much you LOVE the Olympic Discovery Trail. Thank you Rodger for the kind words. We work very hard to ensure the ODT stays well maintained for all to enjoy.

Plan your next adventure on the ODT: https://olympicdiscoverytrail.org/

08/22/2024

This!

With U.S. Covid-19 cases at very high levels and new vaccines still several weeks away, we asked experts for their advice on when and where to wear a mask.

08/17/2024

There's still plenty of summer left to Enjoy Olympic Peninsula!
Thanks to Washington State Parks for these great tips on how to plan for a last-minute camping trip like a pro!

The Department of Natural Resources has issued a statewide burn ban restricting the use of outdoor burning, campfires, the use of charcoal briquettes, and prescribed burns on all forest lands within DNR’s fire protection, including all Washington State Parks, through Sept. 30, 2024. This date may...

08/16/2024

Happy Friday from Kalaloch Lodge, thanks to beautiful photography by Mathew Nichols Photography

I had another one of my big ideas, so I took a major risk, and went against my better judgement, spending hours and hours waiting for a clearing in the clouds during one of the biggest displays of Northern Lights of the year.

It was low tide so I saw the opportunity, I waited and waited, watching the world update about their incredible experiences witnessing the light show while I continued to be stubborn, not moving from my spot in hopes of getting that one lucky moment, when I could easily drive one hour and find clear skies. But I didn't, and my lucky moment never came, BUT it is these moments that have made me the photographer I am today, and it is these nights that continue to help define my career.

I found my angle with the sea-stars, posted up in position, and waited patiently all night long while practicing taking night time shots with my camera. This wasn't the first time I tried to capture this scene. On 3 other occasions I've found myself in very similar, and actually worse situations than this for this same idea. Atleast this time I was watching the ocean glow blue with bioluminescence, and atleast this time I could make out SOME color at times through the clouds.

Typically the photos from this night would just go into my archives, never to be looked at again by anyone, but I was physically worn out and mentally exhausted by the end of this night, and I don't imagine I'll have another opportunity to capture all of these things again until next year.

So here you go, I'm not the luckiest photographer alive 😆 I do fail, quite often, I just don't share those moments that didn't make the "cut"

08/16/2024

This

The Olympic Peninsula Jupiter Fire continues, now at about 350 acres. The Brinnon, WA community remains on stand-by evacuation status.
Local fire is being well supported with extensive air equipment and ground crews.
The Halfway House Restaurant has been feeding 175+ firefighters, and other local businesses are supporting both neighbors and emergency responders
Needless to say, pray for low winds and some rain. Always ield to all emergency equipment, and don't plan to recreate in the Duckabush drainage area this weekend.

08/14/2024

Enjoy Olympic Peninsula. But always ❤️

08/13/2024

Summer Read - Mystery Bay / Fort Flagler, haunted house mystery...

!

Cherie Priest’s new haunted-house novel, “The Drowning House,” is set on Marrowstone Island, a real place in Jefferson County.

08/08/2024

Congrats Molly! Olympic National Park's Mule of the Month!
Keep up the GREAT work!

🏅MULE OF THE MONTH

At 14 years young, this beautiful molly mule is new to us at Olympic for the 2024 season. She’s proven herself an instant trail crew favorite and we’re more than lucky to employ her on the all-star squad. Her previous owner was misty-eyed when he let her go; and so brightly it reflects in those soulful eyes and her smooth, sleek-mystique shimmering black coat, the depth of kindness and careful preparation she does possess.

Her name is derived by and initialized in honor of our revered and recently retired Chief of Maintenance. LT has commenced to the carrying of that honorary badge up and down these rocky-rugged trails with all the same qualities of her namesake because
she’s also intelligent, curious, hard working, cool-headed, friendly, trusting and gentle.

LT is also an abbreviation for other fitting words and phrases such as:
“long and tall”—standing at 16.1 hands in height, she’s a true tower of packing power with the awe-inspiring gait of a giraffe.
OR
“light truck”—similar to the stamp on your pickup’s 10-ply tire sidewalls, those off road heavy duty mule wheels aren't likely to leave you stranded with any surprise blow outs.
OR
“lieutenant”—because she’s good AND she’s got room to grow.

In short, LT has arrived with bells and whistles. Peaceful and turnkey, ready in confidence and awareness to take every smiling rider and/or bulky, rattly, awkward pack box load of groceries, tools or lumber swan lake style over and through this wild Olympic terrain with precision and predictability.

Every super hero has their kryptonite and for LT—believe it or not—it’s bubbles.

Kudos to this here Mule of the Month!

With love, Packers Hans, Kirah, Paul & Heidi

08/04/2024

Thank you Ranger Aaron and all the Washington State Parks Rangers, Park Aides, Interp Specialists, Maintenance, and Campground Hosts! It takes a village to welcome visitors. Thank you 🙏