• Olympic: Three Parks in One

    Olympic

    National Park Washington

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  • Olympic Hot Springs Road Closed

    The Elwha Valley's Olympic Hot Springs Road is closed to public entry beyond the Altair Campground during removal of the Glines Canyon Dam. Olympic Hot Springs is not accessible from the Elwha.

  • Elwha River Closures

    Boating is prohibited on the Elwha River from Upper Lake Mills Trail downstream to the Highway 112 bridge, except for the stretch between Altair Campground and the Highway 101 bridge.

  • Changes to Visitor Services Due to Sequestration

    Due to mandatory, across the board budget cuts, some visitor services at Olympic National Park have changed. See the Plan Your Visit section for more information.

Visiting Hurricane Ridge

Wildflowers on mountain meadow at Hurricane Ridge

Wildflowers cover mountain meadows during the short summer at Hurricane Ridge.

Ken and Mary Campbell

Overview:

Hurricane Ridge is the most easily accessed mountain area within Olympic National Park. In clear weather, fantastic views can be enjoyed throughout the year.

Hurricane Ridge is located 17 miles south of Port Angeles on Hurricane Ridge Road, off Mount Angeles Road (directions).

The road is open throughout summer. During the winter season, the road is scheduled to be open from 9:00 a.m. until dusk, Friday through Sunday, holiday Mondays, and additional days during the Christmas holiday, weather and road conditions permitting. All vehicles must carry tire chains during the winter season. Make sure to check the status of the road before coming.

A general map and information regarding facilities, picnic areas, camping, and regulations can be found on the park's Hurricane Ridge brochure (pdf).

 

Places to Stay:

The nearest campground to Hurricane Ridge is Heart O' the Hills, 12 miles north of Hurricane Ridge, between Port Angeles and the Ridge. Open year-round, Heart O' the Hills has 105 campsites in the old-growth forest.

The city of Port Angeles is just 17 miles north. Lodging can be found through the Port Angeles Chamber of Commerce website.

Recreation:

The Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center is a great place to start. Located just before the end of the road, stop here for brochures, maps, snacks, and tips regarding your stay. It is open daily in the summer, and whenever Hurricane Ridge Road is open during the remainder of the year.

Hurricane Ridge has a number of hiking trails, from ridgetop traverses to steep trails that descend to subalpine lakes and valleys. Obstruction Point Road (weather and snow permitting, open from July 4 through October 15), branches off right before the Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center, and provides access to a variety of trails as well.

Hurricane Ridge can be enjoyed throughout the year. During the winter months, snow enthusiasts enjoy the winter scenery, along with snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and sledding. Ranger-guided snowshoe walks are offered on the weekends and are a popular way to explore and learn about the Ridge's winter environment. Weather permitting, the Hurricane Ridge Winter Sports Club operates two rope tows and a Poma lift.

During the spring, wildflowers cover the ground of the subalpine meadows and blacktail deer are often spotted grazing. Sunrise and sunset on a clear day provide magnificent panoramic views of the park.

Nearby Areas:

Heart O' the Hills is the closest destination. The Elwha Valley and Deer Park are within a one-hour drive from Hurricane Ridge. Make sure to check the Getting Around page for mileages to and from different park destination.

 
Visitors walking trail at Hurricane Ridge
Visitors walk along one of the trails at Hurricane Ridge on a summer day.
Ai Noguchi
 
 
  • Ridge Webcam Ridge Webcam

    What's it look like at Hurricane Ridge? Check the webcam here! Read More

  • Hurricane Ridge in Winter Hurricane Ridge in Winter

    More about winter recreation opportunities at Hurricane Ridge Read More

  • Avalanche! Avalanche!

    Avalanches are a real risk. Learn more... Read More

Did You Know?

white flower

Does this flower look familiar?  The bunchberry, a common groundcover of Olympic's lowland forest, is closely related to the dogwood trees found throughout North America.