Olympic Peninsula Braces for Summer Staffing Cuts, Drop in Canadian Tourism

As summer approaches, communities on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula are preparing for a wave of challenges tied to staffing shortages at Olympic National Park and a sharp drop in Canadian tourism.

The national park, which attracts nearly 3.7 million visitors annually, plays a central role in the region’s economy. But staffing cuts and limited communication from federal agencies have left businesses unsure about what to expect.

“Everyone needs to know what to expect, and no one knows anything right now,” said Rob Smith with the National Parks Conservation Association. “We may not see the impacts until gates are closed or campgrounds are closed, or maybe toilet paper runs out sometime.”

Park staffing shortages could affect basic maintenance, such as bathroom access and trash removal, according to reporter Drew Andre.

Local businesses are stepping in where they can. Tommy Farris, owner of Olympic Hiking Company, says community members are being urged to act as stewards of the park. “Regardless of how things shake out with staffing levels in our public lands, it's really on us as communities to be stewards of our own backyard.”

Marsha Massey, Executive Director of the Olympic Peninsula Visitor Bureau, confirmed the park and surrounding businesses remain open. But she also noted a troubling decline in reservations from Canadian travelers, who usually arrive via the Black Ball Ferry from Victoria, B.C.

“Many of the businesses have told me their phones have stopped ringing and the reservations have stopped coming in from folks in Canada,” Massey said. Canadians typically make up 15 to 20 percent of the area’s tourism revenue.

To combat the dip in cross-border travel, some businesses—including Olympic Hiking Company—are offering discounts for Canadian visitors.

This is just the latest in a series of setbacks for the region. From pandemic-era closures to the 2023 fire that destroyed the Hurricane Ridge Day Lodge, the Olympic Peninsula has weathered repeated disruption.

“We found a way to pivot, so that's what we do,” said Massey. “We all band together.”

Meanwhile, nearby Mount Rainier National Park has yet to announce whether it will continue last summer’s timed reservation system, which helped ease overcrowding.

Reporting by Drew Andre.
Credit: CNN Newsource

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