News Release

Hurricane Ridge vehicle capacity to increase

Date: July 5, 2023
Contact: Public Affairs Office, 360-565-3005

After more than a week of Hurricane Ridge being reopened, Olympic National Park is increasing the number of vehicles that can enter from 315 to 345 per day. Portable toilet capacity has been closely monitored and 30 more vehicles per day can be accommodated.  

In the first week, the vehicle quota has been reached as early as 10:00 AM and as late as 12:15 PM. Wait times to enter have varied between no wait time and 1.5 hours. The first week of operation did include a holiday weekend, which increased visitation numbers.  

The Clallam Transit shuttle to Hurricane Ridge has been operating six shuttles per day. Their average ridership has been 245 people per day. The shuttle remains a great option for visitors when the road closes to private vehicles.  

Visitors are encouraged to arrive early in the morning to gain entry to Hurricane Ridge. The first 175 vehicles can enter without waiting, but the next 170 vehicles will experience wait times due to parking lot capacity. After 345 vehicles have entered for the day, the road will close to private vehicle traffic. 

The Clallam Transit shuttle to Hurricane Ridge picks up visitors from the Gateway Transit Center in Port Angeles, WA. It is a 45-minute ride from Port Angeles to Hurricane Ridge. Visitors should read Clallam Transit’s website for fare and schedule details: Hurricane Ridge Shuttle. The shuttle does not stop at the Olympic National Park Visitor Center on Mount Angeles Road.  

Visitor capacity at Hurricane Ridge is limited because after the Hurricane Ridge Day Lodge burned down on May 7th, the area was left without any utilities. In order to reopen the area, the park procured numerous portable toilets. However, those toilets have a limited capacity and must be serviced regularly. To ensure that capacity is not breached, the park is limiting the number of visitors to Hurricane Ridge.  

For more details on entry to Hurricane Ridge, please visit the park’s website: Hurricane Ridge - Post-Fire.