Visiting Hurricane Ridge in Washington (Full Guide)
Last Updated on April 9, 2024 by Kelly
Hurricane Ridge is one of the best places to visit in Olympic National Park! Located high in the Olympic Mountains, views from Hurricane Ridge extend all the way to Canada on a clear day. Hurricane Ridge was named for the intense winds that can travel through the area. If you want to see snowcapped mountains, subalpine meadows, and expansive vistas, make sure you visit Hurricane Ridge. I’ve visited Hurricane Ridge several times, and it’s one of my favorite destinations in Washington State. The last time I visited the views were limited because of wildfire smoke, so it’s a good idea to time your visit with the weather. In this article, I’m sharing everything you need to visit Hurricane Ridge.
*Important Update: The Hurricane Ridge Lodge suffered fire damage in 2023 and needs to be re-built. Hurricane Ridge is open for winter activities with temporary facilities available. Be prepared to be self-sufficient for your trip. Follow the National Park Service for updates about Hurricane Ridge.
10 Tips for Visiting Hurricane Ridge
1. Look at the Hurricane Ridge Webcam
Check out current conditions in advance of your visit. You might not expect snow, but the mountains can surprise you! The Hurricane Ridge webcam will show you the view from the top as well as a view of the parking lot.
2. Assess Recent Trip Reports at Hurricane Ridge
If you’re planning on completing any hikes at Hurricane Ridge, you can often find recent trip reports on the Washington Trails Association website for any particular hike you are interested in. (Scroll down to the bottom of the page to see the trip reports.) We always look up trip reports to assess current trail conditions before a hike.
3. Purchase an Olympic National Park Pass
To visit Hurricane Ridge, you’ll need to purchase an Olympic National Park Pass. We recommend that you purchase it online and print it out in advance. If you plan on visiting multiple national parks in the same year, you might want to look into purchasing an America the Beautiful annual parks pass.
4. Assess the Weather at Hurricane Ridge
We personally recommend that you visit Hurricane Ridge on a clear, sunny day in order to get the best views. If it’s cloudy, your views will definitely be restricted. During the summer, smoke from wildfires may obstruct the views as well. There was a lot of smoke during our last visit to Hurricane Ridge, and although we could see the Olympic Mountains, we couldn’t see further out to Canada. My favorite thing about Hurricane Ridge is the expansive views, so it’s worth it to wait for a clear day. The National Weather Service provides weather updates for Hurricane Ridge.
5. Don’t Feed the Wildlife at Hurricane Ridge
There’s often a lot of deer at Hurricane Ridge. Every time I’ve visited Hurricane Ridge, I’ve seen lots of deer. The deer even hang out near the parking lot. Be sure not to feed the wildlife.
6. Follow Leave No Trace Principles
While you’re visiting Hurricane Ridge, be sure to follow Leave No Trace principles. Pack out everything that you pack in. Do not litter. Stay on marked trails. Following these guidelines will help to keep this area pristine.
7. Know That the Visitor Center is Closed
The Hurricane Ridge Lodge suffered fire damage and needs to be re-built. Hopefully the visitor center project will be completed soon!
8. Wear Sun Protection
At the top of the ridge, there’s really not much protection from the sun. Be sure to wear sunscreen and bring a wide-brimmed hat.
9. Avoid Peak Travel Times to Hurricane Ridge
If visiting Hurricane Ridge during the summer, try to head up on a weekday or arrive early in the morning. The parking lot can fill up quick!
| Also be sure to see our post about the Hoh Rain Forest, another must-see in Olympic National Park! |
10. Download Trail Maps in Advance
If you plan on hiking, download the hike map in advance using the All Trails app. That way you’ll have access to a map even if you don’t have cell service. It’s also a good idea to download the National Park Services app. You can learn a lot about the park right from your phone!
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What to Pack With You To Hurricane Ridge
- Binoculars: One of the best pieces of advice I can give is to bring binoculars. We don’t routinely travel with binoculars, yet we wish we had had them during our last visit to Hurricane Ridge. We would have loved to have used them to see all the details from the view points at the top of the ridge!
- Power Bank: We like this cell phone charger because the cord is embedded. (One less thing to lose!) A power bank will let you charge your phone when you’re out exploring the mountains. You don’t want to run out of battery, because you’ll want to take lots of photos!
- Water Bottle: Stay hydrated while you’re out exploring. We like this one because it’s an insulated bottle.
- Hiking Boots: When out on the trails, you’ll want to make sure you have proper foot protection and ankle support. I’ve been using the Columbia brand for years and have really liked my boots!
- First Aid Kit: Anytime you’re out in the wilderness, make sure that you travel with a first aid kit.
- Day Pack: Store all of your extra layers and snacks in a comfortable day pack.
| Anytime you go hiking, be sure to pack the 10 Essentials. |
About Hurricane Ridge
The Hurricane Ridge parking lot sits at an elevation of 5,242 feet.
Occasionally wind gusts can roll through Hurricane Ridge at over 75 miles per hour.
Hurricane Ridge typically receives between 30-35 feet of annual snowfall. During the summer, the mountain peaks will still be snow-capped, even if the trails are clear.
There’s evidence that there were human inhabitants at Hurricane Ridge over 13,000 years ago. A visiting family found woven material from a melting snowbank that turned out to be a piece of a basket that was made thousands of years ago. A farmer near Hurricane Ridge even found the bones of a mastodon!
There are several indigenous tribes that have associations with the lands that are now part of Olympic National Park. These include the Hoh, Jamestown S’Klallam, Elwha Klallam, Makah, Port Gamble S’Klallam, Quileute, Quinault and Skokomish tribes. Be respectful of the lands that you visit here.
Map of Trails at Hurricane Ridge
There are technically 8 hiking trails at Hurricane Ridge. These are:
- Cirque Rim
- Big Meadow
- High Ridge
- Klahhane Ridge
- Hurricane Hill
- Wolf Creek
- Little River
- Hurricane Hill/Elwha
I’ve personally hiked several of these trails, and I have especially enjoyed the Cirque Rim, Big Meadow, and High Ridge trails. The views are incredible!
To see descriptions of each of these trails, see the National Park Service website. That website will let you know important information, such as temporary trail closures or maintenance projects.
Things to See at Hurricane Ridge
1. The Remains of the Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center
As I mentioned previously, the visitor center suffered fire damage in 2023 and is closed. Currently, you can only see its remains. The previous visitor center was really beautiful, and included a detailed diorama of the Olympic Mountains. (I included the photo above so you can appreciate what used to exist!) Hopefully the visitor center project will be completed soon!
2. Cirque Rim to Sunrise View Point Trail
This 1.3 mile Cirque Rim Nature loop trail is mostly paved and friendly for most skill levels. The difficulty is rated as easy. We’ve completed this trail several times and it never fails to amaze us. With views of the mountains, beautiful meadows, and lots of deer, we enjoyed every step of the way. We found this hike to be accessible for most skill levels. It would be perfect for young families.
3. Hurricane Hill
The Hurricane Hill hike is 3.2 miles roundtrip with 650 feet of total elevation gain. The difficulty is rated as moderate. If you want to take a longer hike, the Hurricane Hill trail leads to even longer trails to the Elwha River Valley.
4. Klahhane Ridge
A slightly more difficult hike at Hurricane Ridge is the Klahane Ridge trail. The Klahhane Ridge trail is 5.0 miles roundtrip with 1700 feet of elevation gain.
| Also be sure to see our guide on what to see in Port Angeles, Washington! |
| We also recommend that you visit the Tree of Life in nearby Kalaloch! |
Hotels and Campgrounds Near Hurricane Ridge
The closest city to Hurricane Ridge is Port Angeles. It’s only a 40-minute drive away, which makes it a great place to stay overnight to easily access Hurricane Ridge.
Hotels in Port Angeles:
- Olympic Lodge: This rustic lodge has a wood-paneled lobby with floor-to-ceiling windows. The hotel has a heated outdoor pool and hot tub, as well as a wood-burning fireplace and seating area in the lobby.
- Sea Cliff Gardens Bed and Breakfast: This Victorian-styled bed and breakfast has dramatic views of the coast. There are five guest suites with views of the water and gas fireplaces.
- Red Lion Port Angeles Harbor: This hotel is located right on the water. Most of the rooms have views of the water.
Accommodations Near Hurricane Ridge:
- Juan de Fuca Cottages: These boutique water-front cottages are located in nearby Sequim. They have rentals for kayaks, bicycles, and snow shoes on-site as well.
- Lake Crescent Lodge: Located about an hour away from Hurricane Ridge, Lake Crescent Lodge is another beautiful place to stay. As one of the official lodges of the national park, it has beautiful views of Lake Crescent and lots of opportunities for outdoor recreation.
- Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort: This beautiful resort is located 1.5 hours away from Hurricane Ridge, but it contains a unique feature… hot springs! The resort is open seasonally, so check their calendar for availability.
Campgrounds Near Hurricane Ridge
The closest campground to Hurricane Ridge is the Heart O’ the Hills Campground. It’s about a 20-minute drive from the visitor center. The campground has 105 campsite in an old growth forest. There are no reservations. It’s first-come, first-served.
The Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort Campground is about 1.5 hours away from Hurricane Ridge. Campers have access to the mineral hot springs and to the pool.
Restaurants
Some restaurants in Port Angeles to consider include:
- Downriggers on the Water: This is a casual seafood restaurant with views of the water. Menu items include clam chowder in a bread bowl, fish and chips, and a Dungeness crab and shrimp melt.
- Kokopelli Grill: This restaurant is located near the water and focuses on southwest cuisine.
- Next Door Gastropub: This restaurant includes pub favorites like wings and burgers.
Nearby Activities
The Olympic Peninsula has so many beautiful places to see. When visiting Hurricane Ridge, we also recommend that you consider visiting the following places:
- Olympic Discovery Trail: This mostly-paved trail is 130 miles long. It starts in the town of Port Townsend and ends at the Pacific Ocean in La Push. A portion of the trail runs through Port Angeles.
- Hoh Rain Forest: Head into the rainforest and check out the Hall of Mosses loop trail. You’ll be in the heart of the rainforest, and everything you see will be draped in green mosses and lichens.
- Third Beach: The trail to Third Beach is 3.6 miles roundtrip. You’ll see plenty of sea stacks from this beach hike.
- Kalaloch Beach: This beach is large and sandy. The beach is near the Kalaloch Lodge and Kalaloch Campground and is easily accessible. We recommend watching the sunset here!
- Tree of Life: Located at Kalaloch Beach, the Tree of Life is a tree with its roots nearly full exposed due to erosion. If you’re at Kalaloch, you don’t want to leave without seeing it!
- Big Cedar Tree: A very short .1 mile trail will take you a massive Cedar tree believed to be over 1,000 years old. After storms in 2014, it was split nearly in two.
- Lake Crescent: This beautiful lake is located in the Olympic Mountains.
- Sol Duc Falls: To reach the falls, you’ll complete a beautiful 1.6 mile roundtrip hike.
- World’s Largest Spruce Tree: The tree has a circumference of 58 feet, 11 inches.
- Forks, Washington: This is the town where the Twilight book series takes place. Fans of the books will enjoy seeing many of the places mentioned in the books.
- Port Townsend, Washington: This historic seaport is known for its coastal views and Victorian-style buildings.
Summary
Hurricane Ridge is one of our favorite places to visit in Washington State. It’s one of the crown jewels of Olympic National Park. I love the 360-degree views of the Olympic Mountains, the Olympic Peninsula, and the water. I’ve been to Hurricane Ridge numerous times, and it’s a place I frequently take visitors to Washington State. I especially enjoy strolling along the Cirque Rim Nature Trail
Disclaimer: We always strive for content accuracy. Since the time of publishing, travel-related information regarding pricing, schedules, and hours may have changed. Please look up such information directly from each vendor or institution for the most current information.
