Olympic Peninsula braces for uncertain summer amid federal workforce challenges, Canadian travel decline
The National Parks Conservation Association has expressed concern about visitor experiences at national parks this summer.
PORT ANGELES, Wash. — Business owners and tourism leaders on the Olympic Peninsula are anticipating an unpredictable summer season as federal workforce reductions and international tariffs threaten to impact tourism at one of Washington’s most treasured destinations.
This winter, 1,000 seasonal national park workers were laid off. That included some of Washington state’s national parks like Olympic National Park. In March, a judge ordered the Trump administration to reinstate those workers. However, that could delay the process of getting ready for the busy summer season, according to the National Parks Conservation Association.
“Everyone needs to know what to expect, and no one knows anything right now,” Northwest regional director of the NPCA Rob Smith said. “The parks already start from an understaffed position.”
The National Parks Conservation Association has expressed concern about visitor experiences at national parks this summer.
“We may not see the impacts until gates are closed or campgrounds are closed, or maybe toilet paper runs out sometime,” Smith said.
Olympic National Park draws 3.7 million visitors every year. Olympic Hiking Co. guides tours and backpacking trips for about 4,000 of those visitors. The prime tourism months are between June and August.
“We’re ready to welcome guests,” Olympic Hiking Co. owner Tommy Farris said. “Regardless of how things shake out with staffing levels, it’s really on us to be stewards of our own backyard.”
Farris stressed the importance of doing research on the trail ahead of time, find out about parking and be prepared to pack out waste and food.
“The first thing to say is we are open. We’re all open,” Olympic Peninsula Visitor Bureau executive director Marsha Massey said.
Massey said there’s an even bigger concern than staffing the national park: the decline in visitors this year from Canada.
“Many of the businesses have told me the phones have stopped ringing, and the reservations have stopped coming in from folks from Canada. So, we’re already seeing the impact of the pull back on travel,” Massey said.
Only about 20 nautical miles away, Massey says Canadians fuel 15 to 20% of business on the Olympic Peninsula. The most common route is taking the Black Ball Ferry from Victoria into Port Angeles.
“Some of our events that usually draw Canadians are getting cancellations,” Massey said.
Some businesses, including Olympic Hiking Co. are offering discounts for Canadian tourists to incentivize them to still visit.
“We want to have a nice, friendly welcome from our Canadian neighbors across from Victoria or just travelers that are passing through Victoria,” Farris said.
This uncertainty isn’t new for the Olympic Peninsula. From pandemic closures, to the to the 2023 fire that burned down the popular day lodge at Hurricane Ridge – this is just the latest challenge.
“And we found a way to pivot. That’s what we do. We find a way to pivot,” Massey said.
One bright spot for the region is the reopening of Upper Hoh Road, the only access point to the popular Hoh Rain Forest. The road had been closed since December due to storm damage. The road is scheduled to reopen by May 9, according to Jefferson County.
Nearby Mount Rainier National Park has not announced whether the park will continue last summer’s timed reservation system, which helped control crowds.
Officials recommend checking the National Park Service website for the latest information on facility operations and access points.
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