Olympia – At least 19 recreation sites across Washington state are at risk of closure, some of them here on the Olympic Peninsula — after Gov. Bob Ferguson signed the state’s operating budget into law on April 1.
The state Department of Natural Resources, Washington State Parks and the Department of Fish and Wildlife all got hit hard in the new state budget, totaling more than a million dollars.
Several sites will see partial or seasonal closures while other campgrounds across the state stand to close entirely, at least for 2026.
The Department of Natural Resources is contemplating 19 sites to close or cut services at, with campgrounds likely being the most common recreation area to see full closures.
On the Olympic Peninsula, the following campgrounds are marked for closures: Anderson Lake in Jefferson County; Bear Creek along the Sol Duc River; the Hoh-Oxbow campground on the Hoh River, and the Lyre River campground near Joyce.
Courtney James, Department of Natural Resources communications manager, said the final list of impacted sites will be released in the near future.
She also said visitors to Washington public lands should expect less trail and bathroom maintenance and slower response to things like storm damage and downed trees.