Advocacy in the Blog

Current issues affecting trails and hikers.

The latest news and wins on issues impacting hikers and public lands. Stay in the loop by signing up for Trail Action Network today!

Tell us how you enjoy the North Hood Canal area — and help shape its future

Jul 22, 2026

The Olympic Peninsula Outdoor Recreation Collaborative is considering how recreation in the North Hood Canal can be improved for the future, including management of the Dosewallips River Road. WTA is part of the collaborative’s core team. Take a survey to contribute your thoughts on this special place.

Hiker Headlines: Forest Service funding, Staircase area reopens, closure at High Rock and Hidden Lake Lookout, upcoming fun

Jul 09, 2026

WTA joined Sen. Patty Murray to discuss concerns about cuts to Forest Service funding and staffing. The developed area at Staircase on the Olympic Peninsula has reopened after a yearlong closure! However, be aware of some other closures, like the High Rock trail and the road to Hidden Lake. Hike-a-Thon registration has begun and check other fun events are coming up.

Alpine Lakes Wilderness: 1 landscape, 50 years, lasting inspiration

Jul 10, 2026

This year marks a major milestone. Alpine Lakes Wilderness celebrates 50 years on July 12, the day that it was designated as wilderness five decades ago.

Hiker Headlines: Olympic National Park fire, national park fire bans, speak up for trails, rainy weekend

Jun 25, 2026

Washington Trails Day is this Saturday, June 27! A fire is burning in Olympic National Park. More areas have added restrictions on campfires, including a parkwide ban at Mount Rainier and North Cascades national parks. Twanoh State Park will be closed for part of the summer. Help speak up for trails by asking Congress to revive the Legacy Restoration Fund. And there’s rainy weather in the forecast!

Congress works to fund trails in 2027 and beyond — you can help

Jul 06, 2026

Funding is critical to protect our national public lands and keep them open for people to enjoy. WTA is heartened to see Congress’s recent progress to fund trails in 2027 and beyond. Take 60 seconds to ask Congress to provide the vital funding that our outdoor places need.

A new Teanaway trailhead and 18 miles of trail — a victory 13 years in the making

Jun 09, 2026

Over the weekend, community members and trail users came out to the Teanaway Community Forest to celebrate the grand opening of the West Fork Teanaway trailhead and 18 miles of trail for hikers and other non-motorized trail users. WTA helped lead the planning and trail work in the area.

Hiker Headlines: WTA storm damage webinar, Lake 22 closure, free weekend, Teanaway Community Forest ribbon cutting

Jun 04, 2026

Join WTA's webinar to learn how this winter’s storm damage could affect your summer hiking. Saturday, June 6, is National Trails Day and also the opening of the West Fork Teanaway trailhead; join us to celebrate! And, be aware of several construction projects that may cause closures or delays, including on the Lake 22 trail and Cascade River Road.

Help trails recover from storms: Your trip reports needed

Jun 03, 2026

This spring, people are going outside and encountering damage from this past winter’s storms. Land managers and their partners, including WTA, are working to recover trails and your ability to get outside — but we need your help.

3 (more) reasons why nature is so important for mental, physical and kids’ health

May 12, 2026

What do mental health, healthcare costs and youth leadership development have in common? They're all improved by nature! Find out three new things we learned at the Northwest Nature & Health Symposium. By Linnea Atherly.

DNR budget cuts mean closed campgrounds and less work on trails

Apr 29, 2026

Due to budget cuts, the Washington State Department of Natural Resources recently announced they will need to close some campgrounds and reduce services at other outdoor sites this year, including less maintenance on some DNR trails.

Hiker Headlines: Olympic National Park permits, share your support for the Roadless Rule

Apr 09, 2026

Olympic National Park permits for the summer season will be available starting April 15. You’re invited to a community meeting to provide public comments on the proposed repeal of the Roadless Rule, sponsored by WTA and other conservation and recreation organizations. Washington State Parks now has same-day camping reservations at all campgrounds. And join the annual Washington Coast Cleanup on April 25!

Re-organization and massive budget cuts, including 64% cut to trail maintenance, could break the U.S. Forest Service

Apr 09, 2026

New plans to move the headquarters of the U.S. Forest Service, eliminate regional offices and massively cut trail maintenance funding increase risks to the public lands we love and rely on.

Facing a budget deficit, legislators cut funding for state parks and recreation lands

Mar 17, 2026

Washington state’s legislative session ended on March 12. Facing a multi-billion dollar budget deficit, budget writers made difficult decisions, including cuts to funding for the upkeep and care of our state parks and other state recreation lands.

Trip report: Bringing the concerns of hikers to Washington D.C.

Mar 13, 2026

Washington Trails Association has a long history of bringing people together to protect recreational lands. Part of that work is advocating at the federal level. WTA was in Washington D.C. last week talking with federal officials and lawmakers about the importance of trails, access to the outdoors and preserving our wild and iconic places.

For first time since 2024, Forest Service hires seasonal trails staff

Mar 11, 2026

After a hiring freeze that began in the fall of 2024, the U.S. Forest Service is hiring up to 2,000 seasonal staff across the country this year. Hiring seasonal workers is particularly critical after last year’s cuts to regular Forest Service staff.

WTA leads careful planning to create better outdoor experiences northeast of Mount Rainier

Mar 06, 2026

WTA is taking action to keep trails accessible in Snoquera, outside Mount Rainier National Park. We are working with a group of passionate recreation and conservation groups to breathe life into the area’s trails. Our goal is to create a future where Snoquera trails are long-lasting, well-built and maintained and easy to access.

Together, we’ve changed state trails for the good

Feb 17, 2026

Here are three major ways WTA has shaped how our state cares for its public lands — with the help of nonprofit partners, champions in the state legislature and people like you.

Hiker Headlines: Mount Rainier, Enchantments lotteries open; free day; WTA symphony event

Feb 12, 2026

The Mount Rainier early access permit lottery is open and the Enchantments permit lottery opens on Feb. 15. Monday is Presidents’ Day and parking fees will be waived on federal lands. Join WTA and the Northwest Symphony Orchestra at our third annual Crescendo symphony event in Seattle on April 24. And, a big thanks for the over 1,200 of you who have spoken up for public lands the last few months!

Hiker Headlines: Hair ice, state legislative session begins, stay overnight at Fort Worden this summer

Jan 22, 2026

Join WTA and search and rescue volunteers on Feb. 12 at Central Washington University for a winter hiking safety workshop and gear swap! Fort Worden State Park will continue to offer lodging at some of their historic buildings this summer. Washington state’s legislative session has begun, and we need your help to speak up for funding for public lands. And, conditions have been just right for hair ice recently!

Hiker Headlines: A big thank you, free day, Fairfax Bridge update, Cama Beach closure

Jan 15, 2026

A big thank you to all of our members who donated in 2025! Monday is Martin Luther King Jr. Day and parking fees will be waived on state-managed and Forest Service lands. The Washington State Department of Transportation has shared an update on the future of the Fairfax Bridge near Mount Rainier. The lower part of Cama Beach Historical State Park is closed. And the Spokane Winterfest is this Sunday!

Help WTA defend a game-changing win for state lands and trails

Jan 12, 2026

In 2022, WTA led nonprofit partners, legislative champions and individuals like you to a big win for trails: a new source of funding for our state public lands. During this year’s state legislative session — which starts today and runs for 60 days — WTA needs your voice to protect this funding that helps us get outside.

Report reveals Forest Service suffering from staffing cuts, trails at lowest maintenance levels in 15 years

Jan 06, 2026

According to a new U.S. Forest Service report, trail maintenance suffered dramatically in 2025 as a result of staffing cuts. The money to hire trail staff already exists. You can contact Congress and ask that the Forest Service be allowed to hire seasonal staff in 2026.

60,000 people make one strong voice for trails

Dec 01, 2025

This year showed us what we can do when we bring our voices together for public lands. WTA’s Trail Action Network — which is 60,000 hikers strong — protected state trails funding, prevented the sale of national public lands and inspired us with your dedication.

Hiker Headlines: Highway 20 closed this weekend, Summit at Snoqualmie parking fees

Nov 13, 2025

It’s Nov. 13. Highway 20 will be temporarily closed starting 5 p.m. today, Nov. 13, due to weather conditions. The Summit at Snoqualmie has announced its 2025-26 parking fees. And the government has resumed operations. Here’s some news you may have missed while out on trail this week.

See how your vote is creating healthy forests and new trails thanks to the Climate Commitment Act

Nov 03, 2025

One year ago, Washington residents voted to defend the Climate Commitment Act. Now, we’d like to celebrate how this act is benefiting lands in Washington state and the people who enjoy them.

How WTA and public lands keep water clean for wildlife and people

Oct 20, 2025

60 million Americans rely on national forests for their drinking water. With that in mind, WTA builds trails that minimize impacts to waterways and can function as part of the surrounding landscape. We also advocate for land protections because protected and funded public lands mean clean water for people and wildlife.

Hiker Headlines: Road to Artist Point closed for winter; more Rainier roads, state parks to close; WTA public lands webinar

Oct 16, 2025

Join WTA’s advocacy team for a webinar on the latest on our national public lands and how we can continue to champion for our trails and public lands at 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 29! It’s winter in the mountains — the road to Artist Point is closed for the season, and some roads at Mount Rainier are gearing up to close soon, too. SR 18, east of Tiger Mountain, is also temporarily closing for construction. And the Big Four Ice Caves have collapsed!

New plan to fire more national parks staff and rangers undercuts already short-staffed parks

Oct 21, 2025

The Trump administration detailed their plans to fire at least 2,050 staff who work for the Department of the Interior, including eliminating at least 272 additional positions at the National Park Service. The planned firing come on top of massive reductions in staffing for national public lands agencies since February. The cuts leave hikers less safe, reduce everyone’s access to public lands and must be overturned.

Hiker Headlines: Sunrise Road closing soon, last call for photo contest, Cascade River Road closure

Oct 02, 2025

The Washington State Department of Transportation has narrowed plans for the Fairfax Bridge to two options; WTA is working to support solutions that reopen access to this area of Mount Rainier. The Northwest Exposure Photo Contest closes soon! Sunrise Road is expected to close this weekend. Be aware of a few closures, including the end of Cascade River Road and the road near Multnomah Falls. And we have advice on hiking during the government shutdown.

What’s the future for the bridge to the Northwest side of Mount Rainier?

Apr 13, 2026

In April, the 103-year-old Fairfax Bridge over the Carbon River closed permanently to all vehicle and pedestrian traffic, effectively cutting off access to the northwest side of Mount Rainier National Park. The Washington State Department of Transportation is now considering two options for the future: rebuilding the bridge north of its current location or keeping the bridge permanently closed.