The U.S. Forest Service is a Federal land management agency under the Department of Agriculture. We manage 193 million acres of National Forests and Grasslands throughout the United States. Our reach is broad – responsible for preserving and protecting these public lands to serve current and future generations…everything from assured access for recreation experiences in the great outdoors, to wildfire suppression. Managing and maintaining hundreds of thousands of miles of roads and trail systems, and responsible for protecting natural habit for native plants, fish and wildlife, and preserving water sources for local communities. Timber production is a major byproduct of our land management activities, bringing economic activity (timber industry) into local communities while simultaneously improving overall ecological health and fire resiliency to the landscape.
Our Forest Olympic National Forest is one of sixteen Forests in the Pacific Northwest Region (Region 6). Located on the Olympic peninsula of Washington State, Olympic National Forest is approximately 620,000 acres and surrounds the Olympic National Park (National Park Service / Department of Interior).
The Forest Supervisor’s Office is the forest headquarters, on the south and east end of the forest, comprising the Olympia duty location. Olympia is the state capitol of Washington, and a large metropolitan city in Thurston County with immediately neighboring cities of Tumwater and Lacey. Olympia is at a crossroads with easy access to the Olympic Peninsula to the northwest, and Seattle/Tacoma region to the northeast.
Pacific Ranger District is the western side of the forest, comprising duty locations of Forks, and Quinault. Some of the more remote locations in Washington, Pacific Ranger District is a great place for solitude and taking in amazing natural beauty. Forks, WA along the Pacific Coast Highway 101, Forks is a great location in the heart of the Olympic Peninsula with easy access to every sort of recreation activity you can imagine. Cellular coverage is good, and there is a wide variety of shopping and dining establishments, gas stations and other essential services.
Quinault, WA also along Highway 101, Quinault is a quaint, cozy little town nestled a bit off the beaten path along the south shore of Lake Quinault. Bordering the Quinault Indian Reservation and Quinault Rain Forest. Approximately 40 miles north of Aberdeen, and 60 miles south of Forks. There are some amazing historic locations, and ancient rain forests.
Hood Canal Ranger District is the eastern side of the forest and Highway 101 loop, comprising duty locations of Quilcene, and Hoodsport. Here you will experience a taste of the Puget Sound region where the forest meets the sea. An amazing recreation culture that includes shellfish and many water sports, in addition to easy access to tremendous forest destinations for alpine hiking and camping. Quilcene, WA Quilcene is wonderful little town near the north end of Hood Canal and at a crossroads between much larger Port Angeles and Port Townsend communities. A vibrant tourism hub with easy access to many recreation destinations, as well as very unique organic agriculture of fruit orchards and much more.
Hoodsport, WA, at the southeast corner of the forest, Hoodsport is a bustling town along Hood Canal known for high tourism and the busiest recreation concentration on the forest. Close access to a wide variety of activities from backpacking, to sailing, to scuba diving. Hoodsport offers many dining options and is relatively close to larger communities of Shelton and Olympia just to the south.
Our Motto: Caring for the Land and Serving People
Our Mission: To sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the Nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations