News Release

Entrance station project underway on Hurricane Ridge Road

Date: March 24, 2021
Contact: Penny Wagner, 360-565-3005

PORT ANGELES, WA: A project is now underway to upgrade the park entrance area at Heart O' the Hills on Hurricane Ridge Road in Olympic National Park. A temporary fee booth will be in operation until this project is completed in the fall. Although traffic impacts from the entrance station project are expected to be minimal, the usual heavy summer visitation is expected. Visitors are encouraged to arrive early or visit later in the day to avoid the crowds and long wait times at the fee booth when parking at Hurricane Ridge has reached capacity. Peak summer visitation hours are from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, and after 3pm on holiday weekends. Check @OlympicNP on twitter (no account needed) for updates on wait times and parking at Hurricane Ridge and use the Visiting in Summer webpage on the park website for tips on planning ahead.

Drivers should be cautious on Hurricane Ridge Road and be prepared for traffic to be stopped in line at the temporary fee booth. Please obey the reduced speed limit signs now in place to slow down traffic on the approach to the temporary fee station. After passing through the temporary fee station, drivers should expect short delays for alternating single-lane traffic through the short construction zone. Visitors and campers at Heart O’ the Hills Campground should expect construction activity, truck traffic, and noise during the ten-hour work days, Monday through Thursday.

The purpose of this project is to replace and upgrade the existing buildings and utilities infrastructure at the Heart O’ the Hills entrance station area and improve traffic flow. The existing buildings were constructed in the 1950s and do not meet federal accessibility standards or current plumbing and electrical codes. The traffic revisions in this project include adding a second entrance lane and fee booth as well as constructing a permanent turn lane for Lake Dawn Road. The second entrance lane will add capacity at the entrance station area and improve traffic flow.

This project also includes the installation of a new permanent electronic message sign near the Olympic National Park Visitor Center at the base of Hurricane Ridge Road. This sign will be used to notify visitors year-round about current wait times at the entrance station, the status of the parking lot at the Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center, traffic alerts, and safety information.

For more information about visiting Olympic National Park, please visit the park website at www.nps.gov/olym or call the recorded Road & Weather Hotline at 360-565-3131 for daily updates.