Hurricane Ridge in Winter

 

Winter is a great time to visit Olympic National Park. The summer crowds are gone and recreational opportunities are numerous.

Hurricane Ridge showcases one of the many diverse facets of winter on the Olympic Peninsula. Although relatively low, the Olympic Mountains receive a great deal of moisture. In winter, much of is falls as snow, particularly above 3,000 feet in elevation. The typically snow-covered Hurricane Ridge provides opportunities for snowshoeing, cross-country and downhill skiing, children's tubing and more.

During the winter season, Hurricane Ridge Road is open Friday through Sunday, holiday Mondays, and additional days during the Christmas holiday, weather and road conditions permitting.

More information on winter recreation is available in the park's newspaper, The Bugler, including schedules, rental information, a map, and information on ranger-guided snowshoe walks.

Winter Travel
With the arrival of snow in the Olympic Mountains, there are many new recreational opportunites, as well as new challenges. Severe weather, icy or snowy roads, changing snow conditions, and winter rains can quickly alter any winter trip. Visitors traveling to the park should be prepared for winter driving conditions.

All vehicles are required to carry tire chains when traveling above the Heart O' the Hills entrance station during the winter season. This requirement applies to all vehicles (including four-wheel-drive), regardless of tire type or weather conditions. Click here for additional information.

Hurricane Ridge Road may close early or remain closed during the entire day due to poor road conditions or severe weather. Call the Road & Weather Hotline at 360-565-3131 for current information or click here for the daily report. Conditions, updates and closures are also posted to Twitter at: twitter.com/HRWinterAccess.

 

Getting There
Hurricane Ridge is located 17 miles south of Port Angeles.

Entrance feesare collected at the Heart O' the Hills entrance station whenever the road is open. Olympic's seven-day entrance pass, which allows a private vehicle to enter any of the park's roadways, costs $15. The Olympic National Park Annual Pass, good for one year after the purchase date, costs $30.

Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center
The Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center is usually open when the road is open. A foyer and restroom are always open. The information desk is staffed 10:00 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekends and holiday Mondays from mid December to the end of March. See the Bugler for exact dates.

Hurricane Ridge Snack Bar and Ski Shop
From mid-December to the end of March, the Hurricane Ridge Snack Bar and Rental Shop is open from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. weekends and holiday Mondays, as well as additional days during the Christmas break. See the Bugler for exact dates.

The Winter issue of The Bugler, Olympic National Park's official newspaper, is a great source of information on visiting the park in winter, including Hurricane Ridge. It has schedules for ranger-guided snowshoe walks, equipment rental locations and rates, downhill ski area information, a winter map of the Hurricane Ridge area, and cross-country skiing and snowshoe route descriptions.