The Hoh Rain Forest, one of Washington state’s most popular outdoor attractions and a highlight of Olympic National Park , is closed to visitors because of road damage, with no clear timeline for reopening.
Why it matters: If the sole access road to the rainforest isn’t repaired soon, it could force thousands of would-be campers and hikers to cancel their summer plans, while hurting the economies of nearby communities.
- About 460,000 people visited the Hoh area of Olympic National Park last year, according to the National Park Service.
State of play: Heavy rains in December washed out part of the Upper Hoh Road, the only way to access the rainforest’s trailheads, campgrounds and visitor center by car.
The Upper Hoh Road, the only road in or out of the Hoh Rain Forest, was damaged in December. Photo: Courtesy of Jefferson County
- The road, which is maintained by Jefferson County, will cost an estimated $1.3 million to repair — money the county doesn’t have, Eric Kuzma, the county’s assistant public works director, told Axios in an email.
- Jefferson County officials have asked the Federal Highway Administration for emergency repair funding, something they’ve done before to complete similar repairs on the same road, Kuzma said.
- But he said after “countless meetings, emails, and calls,” the federal agency has yet to make a decision on whether the local project qualifies for that money.
The National Highway Administration didn’t immediately respond to questions Axios sent by email this week…