the wild side
Hood Canal & South Puget Sound
Visitor Advisory: 7/25/2025
Hikes affected by Bear Gulch Fire
Bear Gulch Closure include Mt. Rose, Staircase & Mt. Ellinor
while surrounding hikes remain open in Hood Canal Area.
The Bear Gulch Fire near Lake Cushman continues to grow, now estimated at 799 acres with containment still holding at 19%. Crews are working around the clock in steep terrain to keep the fire from spreading into critical areas like the Staircase region of Olympic National Park and nearby neighborhoods. Firefighters have now finished wrapping structures at Staircase —including the historic 1929 ranger station —with a material that reflects radiant heat. You can find the latest info online at Inciweb, AirNow.gov, or follow on Facebook: BearGulch2025.
While a number of trails and roads ARE closed, including NF-2400 past mile marker 10.5 and the Mount Ellinor trail systems, the Big Creek Campground is open, and many recreational areas in the area remain unaffected.
closed hikes 7/25/25:
Mount Rose (Olympic National Forest)
Mount Ellinor (Olympic National Forest)
Staircase Rapids Trail and Entrance to Park (Olympic National Park)
Big Creek Loop (Olympic National Forest)
All other trails remain OPEN to recreation. Smoke is not affecting the areas outside immediate burn zone at this point. Please visit the Hikes Guide for a comprehensive list of area hikes or visit the following link for a few of our favorites!
itinerary ready.
Find the best places for biking, kayaking, boating, motorsports & more. View parks, waterfalls, birding and SCUBA areas, and find a spot to camp. Browse museums, shopping and tastings from local vendors. Learn about shellfish harvesting and fishing on the Hood Canal.
Looking for inspiration?
Hikers, check out Craig Romano’s South Olympics & South Puget Sound Hikes Guide.
HOOD CANAL is a natural fjord, not a canal, that sits between the Puget Sound and Olympic Mountains in Mason County, Washington. The area hosts plenty of outdoor activities including paddling, hiking, SCUBA, racing and even skydiving. Visit for the solitude, oysters and waterfalls – return again and again for year round hiking trails, fantastic views and amazing people!
