Hoh Rainforest Road to Reopen May 8

The main access road to the Hoh Rainforest in Olympic National Park will reopen on Thursday, May 8, after being closed since December due to heavy rain damage. The closure caused widespread cancellations and raised concerns among local businesses about missing the critical summer tourist season, as the rainforest draws nearly 460,000 visitors annually. Repairs, costing over $600,000, were funded through more than $600,000 redirected from the state's Economic Development Strategic Reserve Account, along with $27,000 in community and business donations, after federal aid requests failed. The road's reopening is credited to swift collaboration between public and private sectors, which helped preserve seasonal jobs and protect tourism revenue. Local officials and business owners celebrate the restored access, expecting a revitalized summer economy. Efforts continue to seek federal reimbursement for the repair costs.