the wild side
Hood Canal & South Puget Sound
Visitor Advisory: 10/06/2025
Recreation Areas affected by Bear Gulch Fire
Bear Gulch and Tunnel Creek Fire Information
Bear Gulch Tunnel Creek
Estimated size: 20,185 acres; 5% containment Estimated size: 581 acres; 0% containment
Firefighters: 19 (updated) 10/4/25
BEAR GULCH FIRE EVACUATIONS LIFTED
Bear Gulch Update:
With the recent rain crews are beginning to see rocks and trees fall within the fire perimeter and onto roadways. Crews will be brushing roadways to improve access and reduce hazards as they develop. Firefighters continue with suppression repair activities as well as secure and maintain roads and area closures for public safety.
Tunnel Creek Update: There has been minimal fire movement and crews continue to monitor fire behavior and plan suppression strategies if values at risk become threatened.
Evacuations and Closures: Effective, October 2, 2025 at 8:00 AM, all evacuation levels related to the Bear Gulch Fire are lifted. Access to the area is still limited. Forest Road 24/North Lake Cushman Road will remain closed to public access for safety reasons until further notice.
Tunnel Creek – Trail #841.1 Tunnel Creek and Trail #841.2 Trails accessing the Tunnel fire area remain closed due to hazardous conditions.
Additional closure information can be found at the following links.
Olympic National Forest Information: Olympic National Forest | Alerts | Forest Service
Olympic National Park Information: Alerts & Conditions - Olympic National Park (U.S. National Park Service)
closed areas
Current Olympic National Park Trail Closures
Staircase Trailheads and Campground
Northfork Skokomish River Trail from Staircase to Flapjack Lakes Trail junction
Wagonwheel Lake Trail
Shady Lane Trail
Four Stream Trail
Slide Camp and Wagonwheel Lake wilderness campsites
Skyline Ridge Trail from Lake Beauty to Low Divide Camp
Visit the Hikes Guide for a list of area hikes.
>> 5 Top Hikes Open in the Hood Canal Region
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!
