THE GOVERNMENT NEWS DESKSTATE & NATION TRAVEL
National parks, historic sites and practical visitor updates, directly from the National Park Service.
NPS sources checked 10/3/2026, 12:43:25 PM Eastern
The Highway 101 closure cuts off the only direct route between some of the most popular areas of the park. There are no detours available. Taking alternate routes around the east side of the Olympic Peninsula will add at least four hours to travel times.
Official NPS sourceA rabid bat was found at Olympic National Park near Staircase Bridge on August 9th. At approximately 2 p.m., the bat swooped down onto an unidentified woman and was temporarily caught in her hair. This individual is at risk for rabies and should seek healthcare immediately, as well as contact the Mason County Health Department at 360-427-9670 ext. 405. More at the link.
Official NPS sourceFire managers are responding to a lightning fire in a remote area of Olympic National Park. The Mount Tom Creek Fire has burned 69 acres 5 miles west-northwest of Mount Olympus. Firefighters are using indirect confinement tactics as part of a full-suppression strategy. There are no evacuation orders or closures.
Official NPS sourceFort Spokane Campground has re-opened to the public with minimal closures as of 8/14/2026. Sites 39, 40, 41, 50, and walk-in sites 64-68 will remain closed for the foreseeable future due to fire damage and hazard trees. Caution tape and closure signs have been posted for visitor safety. Please remain in open areas of the campground only. The Fort Spokane day use area and boat launch remain open. Please continue to use caution throughout these areas.
Official NPS sourceFire restrictions remain in effect for Lake Chelan National Recreation Area and the area of North Cascades National Park located in Chelan County. This includes all National Park Service lands south and east of Cascade Pass, Park Creek Pass, and Rainy Pass as well as the entire Stehekin Valley.
Official NPS sourceMora Road is closed to all traffic, including bicycles and pedestrians, at the campground. Rialto Beach is not accessible via Mora Road during this construction period. Mora Campground is open. This construction work will repair damage from a severe winter flood event, fortify the road against river migration, and protect long-term access to Rialto Beach.
Official NPS sourceVisitor and recreational opportunities continue to be available in the Stehekin Valley. Some services are limited at the Stehekin Landing following flood damage in December 2025.
Official NPS sourceSmoke from wildfires is to be expected with active fires across the region.Take precautions when recreating outdoors when heavy smoke is present.
Official NPS sourceThere is NO public access to Carbon River & Mowich Lake from SR 165. The bridge is closed to pedestrians, bicycles and vehicles and there is no alternate route.
Official NPS sourceSouth Shore Road – which is maintained by Jefferson County – is closed due to a major wash-out. For more information, visit the Jefferson County website.
Official NPS sourceThe Staircase developed area is open. The surrounding wilderness areas will remain closed as repair and recovery efforts continue. Use extreme caution when entering burned areas. Burned landscapes may contain falling trees and branches, loose boulders, unstable ground, stump holes, landslides, and debris flows. Changing conditions such as wind, rain, or storms can rapidly trigger hazards. Learn more on our Fire Conditions and Updates page.
Official NPS sourceThe entire Ohanapecosh Campground area is CLOSED for the duration of the construction project, including all campsites, visitor center, restrooms, picnic area, & Ohanapecosh river access.
Official NPS sourceMount Rainier National Park, in coordination with the Federal Highway Administration, will begin construction activities for the Fryingpan Creek Bridge Replacement Project on Sept. 28. The multiyear project will replace the existing bridge, improve visitor access and address long-term infrastructure needs in the area.
Official NPS sourceFire ban lifting on October 2.
Official NPS sourceSearch and rescue teams recovered the body of Neil Gehring from the northwest slope of Mt. Appleton on Sunday evening. Searchers located Gehring after receiving and analyzing additional cell phone location data. Gehring was transferred to the Clallam County Coroner’s Office at approximately 8 p.m. on September 13. No additional information is available at this time. Olympic National Park is grateful for all the dedicated search and rescue teams that volunteered to assist with this effort.
Official NPS source
The search for Neil Gehring in Olympic National Park will continue as tactics shift. The investigation into this incident is ongoing. Anyone who was in the area or has information that may assist the search is asked to email OLYM_Tips@cloud.doi.gov or call the National Park Service Investigative Services Branch Tip Line at 888-653-0009.
Official NPS sourceThe National Park Service is searching for Neil Gehring, 26, who left the Madison Falls Trailhead in Olympic National Park on August 31. According to his backcountry permit, Neil intended to make a cross-country traverse from Boulder Lake to Appleton Pass, returning to the Madison Falls Trailhead on September 1. He was reported overdue at 6:30 a.m. on September 2. Search efforts began immediately after notification. Anyone who was in the area or has information that may assist the search is asked to call the National Park Service Investigative Services Branch Tip Line at 888-653-0009.
Official NPS sourceFirefighters extinguished two small lightning fires in Olympic National Park on Tuesday. The Maiden 2 fire had burned 0.7 acres near a ridgeline approximately 1 mile north of Maiden Peak. A single tree fire near Deer Park Campground was also extinguished. Both fires were ignited during last weekend’s lightning storm.
Official NPS source
The National Park Service has selected Devon Bradley as superintendent of Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area. He will assume the role October 4, 2026.
Official NPS source
Fire activity has been minimal over the past few days on the Border 2 Fire (estimated 7,296 acres in the United States, 43% contained) due to cooler temperatures, cloud cover, and a heavy smoke inversion.
Official NPS sourceMount Rainier National Park, in partnership with the Federal Highway Administration’s Western Federal Lands Highway Division, is inviting the public to learn about plans to replace the historic Grove of the Patriarchs suspension bridge and restore trail access to the ancient old-growth forest loop.
Official NPS source
Fire activity and growth was minimal over the weekend on the Border 2 Fire (estimated 14,604 acres total; 6,680 acres in the United States, 31% contained) due to cooler temperatures, cloud cover, and a heavy smoke inversion. Aviation support has been limited due to poor air visibility and weather.
Official NPS source
Fire activity was minimal yesterday on the Border 2 Fire (estimated 14,336 acres total; 6,556 acres in the United States) due to an inversion with cloud cover with slight rain and hail. Aviation was limited due to poor air visibility and weather.
Official NPS sourceA rabid bat was found at Olympic National Park near Staircase Bridge on August 9th. Anyone who may have had contact with a bat in the area (even if not bitten) should contact a healthcare provider and their local health department promptly to determine whether treatment is needed.
Official NPS source
Fire activity is moderate on the Border 2 Fire (estimated 13,604 acres total; 6,052 acres in the United States) with recent growth mainly on the southeast flank of the fire due to hot and dry weather this week. A smoke inversion persists in the Hozomeen area with better visibility on the south end of the fire.
Official NPS sourceFire crews extinguished the Sourdough Mountain Fire on August 10. The fire had burned less than one acre on the southern slope of Sourdough Mountain, approximately 0.5 miles below the Aurora Ridge Trail. Over the weekend, air resources responded to increased activity on the Mount Tom Creek Fire. Water buckets were dropped on the fire on Monday.
Official NPS source
Fire progression continues slowly to the south around Little Jackass Mountain on the Border 2 Fire (estimated 10,582 acres).
Official NPS sourceEmergency personnel from the U.S. Forest Service & U.S. Wildland Fire Service, are responding to an active wildfire in Mount Rainier National Park designated as the Grand Park 2 Fire.
Official NPS source
Yesterday there was minimal fire activity on the Border 2 Fire (estimated 6,983 acres) due to heavy smoke and atmospheric stability that moderated fire behavior.
Official NPS sourceThe Sourdough Fire is burning 0.75 acres on a steep, forested slope on the north side of Olympic National Park. A Type 1 K-Max helicopter and eight rappelers are currently working to contain the fire. The Aurora Ridge Trail, North Fork Sol Duc Trail, and Eagle Lakes and Aurora Springs backcountry campsites are closed. There are no evacuation orders in place.
Official NPS sourceJoin us on October 8 at the REACH Museum in Richland, WA from 5:00-7:30 pm to celebrate the culmination of a three year-long project to research and document local Black history at the Hanford Site. Hanford History Project, African American Community Cultural & Educational Society (AACCES), and the park collaborated on this project to enhance understanding of African Americans’ contributions to Hanford during the Manhattan Project. Doors open at 5:00 pm. At 6:00 pm speakers will provide insights into the research process and reflect on the impact of this history. Immediately following community elders will share stories that illuminate this rich history during a fire side chat. Program ends at 7:30 pm. The event is free and refreshments are provided.
Official NPS sourceJoin us for Ride with a Ranger Saturday, October 17 from 9:45 am to 11:00 pm (PDT). Ride with a Ranger is a 17-mile (27.36 km) round trip ride from Leslie Groves Park along the Sacagawea Heritage Trail, on city streets through the Richland Parkway, and then continuing along the river to the REACH museum. There will be two stops along the route for presentations on the way to the REACH Museum. Check-in begins at 9:45 and the ride leaves at 10:00 am. The bike ride will arrive at the REACH Museum by approximately 11:00 am. Participants will have one hour at the REACH Museum. At 12:00 pm, participants will have the option to ride back to the start of the route with the rangers or return to Leslie Groves Park on their own at any time. Transportation back to the starting point will not be provided. This event is FREE for registered participants. Event registration opens September 15 and will close on October 15 at 6:00 pm (or once filled). Registration is required. Bike Tri-Cities paid for museum admission for registrants. The suggested minimum age for this ride is 15 years old unless riding in a trailer or a tagalong.
Official NPS sourceManhattan Project National Historical Park will present a free program in Jackson Square. Jackson Square, or Town Center No. 1, formed the social and economic center of the wartime community of Oak Ridge. Stroll through the townsite to learn how Oak Ridgers created community in the atomic city. During the walk, rangers and visitors will discuss what it took to shape Oak Ridge during World War II through routines and traditions brought from near and far.
Official NPS sourceHike Through Time (Richland, WA). Join Manhattan Project National Historical Park rangers and REACH Museum educators on a free guided, 3.6-mile (5.8 km) round-trip moderate hike to the top of Candy Mountain on Saturday, October 24 from 12:00 noon to 2:00 pm Pacific time. There will be several stops along the trail up to the summit where rangers will share short histories about the events and people that shaped the mid-Columbia region. Hikers will move forward in time as the stops progress from the Ice Age Floods to the Manhattan Project and its legacies. Topics will include the Native Peoples who have lived here since time immemorial, the Lewis and Clark Expedition, the arrival of settlers, and the selection of Hanford for plutonium production during World War II. Hikers will gain 555 feet (170 m) of elevation as they hike to the top of Candy Mountain. Participants should be prepared to hike uphill, bring water and food, and plan for a variety of weather. Meet in the Candy Mountain trailhead parking lot by 11:45 am for a 12:00 departure. To ensure the safety of all participants, hikers will: •Be able to go the distance. This is a moderate hike to the top of Candy Mountain . •Be prepared to be outside for several hours and dress appropriately for the weather. Close-toed shoes, hat, and sunglasses are recommended. •Bring water and snacks to make sure you have enough energy to complete the hike. Food and water are not provided or available for purchase during the hike. Groups are welcome. If your group is larger than 15, please e-mail us in advance of the program.
Official NPS sourceAll entrance fees are waived in recognition of Theodore Roosevelt's birthday.
Official NPS sourceJoin Manhattan Project National Historical Park, in partnership with Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU) in exploring the peaceful uses of the atom. Utilizing the rich history and museum collection of the ORAU Museum of Radiation and Radioactivity, this program will dive into atomic culture and innovations in medicine sparked by the Manhattan Project and expanded during the atomic age. Participants will have the unique opportunity to explore the Museum of Radiation and Radioactivity , not regularly open to the public.
Official NPS sourceAll entrance fees waived in recognition of Veterans Day.
Official NPS sourceNational Geologic Trail
At the end of the last Ice Age, 18,000 to 15,000 years ago, an ice dam in northern Idaho created Glacial Lake Missoula stretching 3,000 square miles around Missoula, Montana. The dam burst and released flood waters across Washington, down the Columbia River into Oregon before reaching the Pacific Ocean. The Ice Age Floods forever changed the lives and landscape of the Pacific Northwest.
Idaho · Montana · Oregon · WashingtonNational Historic Trail
The Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail winds nearly 4,900 miles through the homelands of more than 60 Tribal nations. It follows the historic outbound and inbound routes of the Lewis and Clark Expedition of 1803-1806 from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to the Pacific Ocean. Follow the trail to find the people, places, and stories that make up the complex legacy of the expedition.
Idaho · Illinois · Indiana · Iowa · Kansas · Kentucky · Missouri · Montana · Nebraska · North Dakota · Ohio · Oregon · Pennsylvania · South Dakota · Washington · West VirginiaNational Historic Site
During World War II, over 120,000 people of Japanese ancestry were forcibly removed from their homes and incarcerated without due process of law. Although little remains of the barbed-wire fences and tar-papered barracks, the Minidoka concentration camp once held over 13,000 Japanese Americans in the Idaho desert. Minidoka preserves their legacy and teaches the importance of civil liberties.
Idaho · WashingtonNational Historical Park
Since time immemorial, the valleys, prairies, mountains, and plateaus of the inland northwest have been home to the nimíipuu (Nez Perce) people. Extremely resilient, they survived the settling of the United States and adapted to a changed world. Nez Perce National Historical Park consists of 38 places important to the history and culture of the nimíipuu. Explore these places. Learn their stories.
Idaho · Montana · Oregon · WashingtonNational Historic Trail
Imagine yourself an emigrant headed for Oregon: would promises of lush farmlands and a new beginning lure you to leave home and walk for weeks? More than 2,000 miles of trail ruts and traces can still be seen along the Oregon National Historic Trail in six states and serve as reminders of the sacrifices, struggles, and triumphs of early American settlers.
Idaho · Kansas · Missouri · Nebraska · Oregon · Washington · WyomingNational Historical Park
The Manhattan Project is one of the most transformative events of the 20th century. It ushered in the nuclear age with the development of the world’s first atomic bombs. Most of this development took place in three secret communities located in Hanford, WA, Los Alamos, NM and Oak Ridge, TN. Today, you can visit these three sites that make up Manhattan Project National Historical Park.
New Mexico · Tennessee · WashingtonNational Historic Site
Located on the north bank of the Columbia River, in sight of snowy mountain peaks and a vibrant urban landscape, this park has a rich cultural past. From a frontier fur trading post, to a powerful military legacy, the magic of flight, and the origin of the American Pacific Northwest, history is shared at four unique sites. Discover stories of transition, settlement, conflict, and community.
Oregon · WashingtonNational Historical Park
Explore the timeless rainforests and majestic coastal vistas. Discover the rich heritage of the native people. Unfold the dramatic stories of America's most famous explorers. The park encompasses sites along the Columbia River and the Pacific Coast. Follow in the footsteps of the explorers and have an adventure in history.
Oregon · WashingtonNational Historical Reserve
This stunning landscape on the Salish Sea, with its rich farmland and promising seaport, lured the earliest American pioneers north of the Columbia River to Ebey’s Landing. Today Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve preserves the historical, agricultural and cultural traditions of both Native and Euro-American – while offering spectacular opportunities for recreation.
WashingtonNational Historical Park
Seattle flourished during and after the Klondike Gold Rush. Merchants supplied people from around the world passing through this port city on their way to a remarkable adventure in the Yukon Territory of Canada. Today, the park is your gateway to learn about the Klondike Gold Rush, explore the area's public lands, and engage with the local community.
WashingtonNational Recreation Area
The ancient geologic landscape of the upper Columbia River cradles Lake Roosevelt in walls of stone carved by massive ice age floods. Come explore the shorelines and learn the stories of American Indians, traders and trappers, settlers and dam builders who called this place home. Swim, boat, hike, camp, and fish at this hidden gem in Northeast Washington, created by the Grand Coulee Dam.
WashingtonNational Park
Ascending to 14,410 feet above sea level, Mount Rainier stands as an icon in the Washington landscape. An active volcano, Mount Rainier is the most glaciated peak in the contiguous U.S.A., spawning five major rivers. Subalpine wildflower meadows ring the icy volcano while ancient forest cloaks Mount Rainier’s lower slopes. Wildlife abounds in the park’s ecosystems. A lifetime of discovery awaits.
WashingtonNational Park
Less than three hours from Seattle, an alpine landscape beckons. Discover communities of life adapted to moisture in the west and recurring fire in the east. Explore jagged peaks crowned by more than 300 glaciers. Listen to cascading waters in forested valleys. Witness a landscape sensitive to the Earth's changing climate. Help steward the ecological heart of the Cascades.
WashingtonNational Park
With its incredible range of precipitation and elevation, diversity is the hallmark of Olympic National Park. Encompassing nearly a million acres, the park protects a vast wilderness, thousands of years of human history, and several distinctly different ecosystems, including glacier-capped mountains, old-growth temperate rain forests, and over 70 miles of wild coastline. Come explore!
WashingtonNational Historical Park
San Juan Island is well known for its splendid vistas, saltwater shores, quiet woodlands, orca whales and one of the last remaining native prairies in the Puget Sound/Northern Straits region. But it was also here in 1859 that the United States and Great Britain nearly went to war over possession of the island, the crisis ignited by the death of a pig.
WashingtonNational Historic Site
One moment can change the fate of many nations. After thousands of years of habitation by the Cayuse Nation, life in the Columbia River Plateau begins to change rapidly with the influx of missionaries, newcomers from the Oregon Trail, and diseases. A single violent act of desperation to protect a community ignites a series of events that will reshape the United States forever.
WashingtonAffiliated Area
More than a museum, the Wing is an experience. A chance to truly understand what it was - and is - to be Asian American in the Pacific Northwest. Take a guided tour of a historic hotel and learn the inside story about what makes the local Chinatown-International District unique. Visitors explore thought-provoking exhibitions of real stories, including actor and martial arts master Bruce Lee.
WashingtonDestination directory sourced from NPS state listings, October 3, 2026. Official NPS directory