One of the most popular places to visit in Olympic National Park is Hurricane Ridge. It's not hard to see why it's a favorite among visitors. A mountain area that has spectacular views and is often covered in wildflowers. Snow is visible, even in the summer months.
Hurricane Ridge gets its name from the wind that moves through the area. Hurricane Ridge can get gusts over 75 mph. Both the wind and the snow affect what grows and how things grow here, and are responsible for creating this stunning area.
In July 2023, we were fortunate to visit this area after it was closed. A few of months earlier, a fire burned the Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center that led to this area's closure for several months. It is now reopened, but with limited visitation. It is best to check the NPS website for updated information on how you can visit.
When we visited, the Park allowed a couple hundred vehicles a day, and not all at once (a metered system was in place). There was also an early closure time. A shuttle from the main visitor center did run however. Bathrooms are part of the challenge—there are only portable bathrooms available. No food or water are available once you are on the Ridge, so plan accordingly.
How to visit and what you can expect
Due to the limitations on the number of visitors and the metered system, we opted to wake up early. If you are staying in Port Angeles, it is not a long drive to the Heart O' the Hills Entrance Station (about 20 minutes depending on where you come from). We arrived at the Ranger Station at 7:55 AM. Even then, we had to wait for an hour in the metered line this early. We did not expect to wait that long, and our two kids did get antsy. Luckily, we had an iPad stashed away for emergencies, and the final 30 minutes in the line were more pleasant.
For anyone who has to wait in this line, there is a portable toilet along the road. We saw many people walking from their cars to them.
Once you are at the Ranger station, they set a several-minute timer. They did this for every car (this is the metered part!), so it is a great time to ask the Ranger questions about hikes, safety, and so forth.
From the Ranger station, it is another 30-minute drive up to Hurricane Ridge. Then, depending on when you arrive, you might find parking quickly or have to search for a spot. The parking area stretches along the Ridge, and until they scrape the remains, you can still see the burned lodge remains (though it is not accessible). It is worth repeating that there is no food nor water at the Ridge.
From the parking area, there are breathtaking views. It was lovely to sit and munch on a snack as we looked out over snow-capped mountains and lush green meadows.
A few trails are all easily accessible from the parking area.
Big Meadow Loop: .25 mi one way. Wheelchair accessible. A short, easy trail through meadows. Has great views of everything around you.
Cirque Rim Trail: .5 mi one way. Wheelchair accessible. A lovely and easy trail for the whole family that has gorgeous views of Port Angeles and the Strait of Juan de Fuca. My kids were delighted to see Canada!
High Ridge Trail: .5 mile loop. A an easy hike, though there is one section that gains in elevation (more than 200 ft.). Mostly paved. Has stunning views of everything around you. We saw several deer right on the edge of the trail!
Klahhane Ridge: 3.8 miles one way. Gains in elevation over 250 ft. We only did a portion of this trail—we worried that more than 7 miles would lead to grumpy young ones. It looked incredible!
There are other hikes in the area that you can drive to as well. If you go beyond the Visitor Center, just a short way, you can find the trail heads for other hikes. We planned to do the Hurricane Hill trail (1.6 miles one way) but it was closed due to mountain lion activity! Other hikes beyond the visitor center area longer, and so not as kid friendly. They also descend thousands of feet into the valley below.
Picnic areas are also available past the Visitor Center. We found an excellent spot that offered beautiful views. As we ate, we had lots of bird friends join us, and even a deer passed close by.
Traveling with kids
If you are traveling with younger kids, Hurricane Ridge is a great place to visit. With some easy hikes, it was one of our favorite destinations in the Park as a whole. Our kids loved the changing landscape and flowers. Plus, if you get there early enough, you can do your hikes, eat lunch with a stunning panoramic view, then head down the mountain to enjoy another area of the Park. We decided to spend the afternoon at Lake Crescent.
The temperature varied a lot while we were there. The day started cold and then seemed to get warm from one minute to the next. We all wore several layers, which proved useful!
If you are headed to Olympic National Park—with or without kids—I highly recommend a visit to Hurricane Ridge if it fits into your plans!
Additional resources
National Park Service (NPS), Hurricane Ridge brochure
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