One Perfect Day at Olympic’s Hurricane Ridge: Complete Guide

Looking for big mountain views surrounded by meadows and beaming with wildlife? That’s Hurricane Ridge. With the terrain being wildly different than the rest of Olympic National Park and being so easily accessible from Port Angeles, Hurricane Ridge is a popular spot for most Olympic visitors.

While a visit to Hurricane Ridge can be completed in half a day, it’s best to plan for a full day on top of the mountain to get the most out of your visit. Between the incredible views, many hikes to choose from, and the opportunity to see the night sky from the summit, there are plenty of adventures to fill your day with.

I’ve been traveling to Olympic National Park for years, and Hurricane Ridge is one of my favorite places to visit. Read on to learn more about the area and how to plan the perfect day in what feels like being on top of the world.

VISITING OLYMPIC AND NEED A GAME PLAN? CHECK OUT OUR ITINERARY.

Getting to Hurricane Ridge

There are two options for reaching the top of Hurricane Ridge: either driving or taking the seasonal shuttle from Port Angeles to Hurricane.

Driving to Hurricane Ridge

The starting point for getting to Hurricane Ridge is Port Angeles. There is only one way up/down. You’ll head to the main Olympic National Park Visitor Center on Mount Angeles Road. Stay right at the junction and on to Hurricane Ridge Road. There’s only one place to go from here, up. 18 miles up.

Over the drive, you’ll gain 5,242 ft of elevation. The road is windy and mountainous, with steep drop-offs and cliffsides that rise to the sky. 5 miles into the drive, you’ll pass through the entrance station. You’ll need to present or purchase a National Parks pass here.

There are several overlooks on the drive to stop and take in the beauty. Most of them have views of the Bay Area and Port Angeles down below, with mountain views on the right side.

DON’T MISS: Driving in Olympic: 10 Things You Need to Know

Hurricane Ridge Shuttle

There is a summer shuttle taking you from Port Angeles to Hurricane Ridge. This is a great option if you don’t want to worry about finding parking or putting wear and tear on your vehicle. The shuttle leaves from Gateway Transit Center on the top of every hour, starting at 8 a.m. The shuttle runs from late May through September. Parking at the transit center is free. As of 2025, the bus only charges $1 each way. The tickets can be purchased in person at the transit center. All buses are first-come, first-served. There are no reservations allowed. You will need to purchase a National Park Pass before boarding the shuttle.

The Hurricane Ridge shuttle makes three stops on the southbound route, at the Angeles Lake Trailhead, Switchback Trailhead, and again at the Hurricane Ridge parking lot. On the northbound shuttle, there is no stop at the Switchback Trailhead. I recommend viewing the shuttle schedule before venturing out for the day.

Permits and Passes

You will need a National Park Pass to access Hurricane Ridge. These are ~$30 for a 7-day pass or ~$80 for a yearly America The Beautiful pass. The passes can be purchased at the Entrance Station, 5 miles up Hurricane Ridge Road, or at the Olympic National Park Visitor Center.

DISCOVER: Which Entrance Should I Use For Olympic National Park? Olympic’s 5 Entrances Explained

Best Times to Visit

The best time to visit Hurricane Ridge depends on what you want to do when you get to the top. It is open year-round. The winter season is typically open on the weekends for skiing and snowshoeing. However, it may close at any time due to snow and severe weather conditions. The road officially opens in mid-May through October, with closures still possible. The most accessible time to visit Hurricane Ridge is June through September. On my last trip in early June, there was still snow on some of the trails, so the entire road was not open. However, you could still access the main parking area at the top of Hurricane Ridge.

While a visit to Hurricane Ridge can be a full-day itinerary, the views may not be available all day. Fog typically rolls in during the mornings and burns off with the late-morning sun. Fog has been known to linger all day, though, so the views at Hurricane Ridge are never guaranteed. There are live cams on the National Park website, so you can see real-time conditions. You can read more about the best times to visit in our article The Best (and Worst) Times of Year to Visit Olympic National Park.

Understanding the Layout of Hurricane Ridge

Once you reach the top of the scenic drive, you’ll arrive at the main parking lot. This is where the majority of the trails are, as well as some portable restrooms and a wilderness ranger station. This is a big parking lot with plenty of parking spaces.

If you drive straight through this lot, the road continues for about a mile. This is Hurricane Hill Road. On this drive, you’ll find two picnic areas and a couple of trailheads on the left-hand side. If you continue to the end of the road, you’ll reach the Hurricane Hill Trailhead.

There is also a gravel road veering off of the main parking lot, with a sign saying Obstruction Point. This is a gravel road leading you to additional trailheads. RVs and trailers are not allowed here.

Starting Your Day at Hurricane Ridge

There are no overnight amenities at the top of Hurricane Ridge, so you’ll start your day in either Port Townsend or at the Heart O’ The Hills Campground. There are no restaurants at the top of Hurricane Ridge either, so the first stop is getting breakfast and coffee.

Port Angeles is the biggest town within the Olympic Peninsula, so there are many restaurant options to choose from. Here are a couple that I recommend:

• First Street Haven is a great option for a sit-down restaurant. They are serving up traditional breakfasts, sandwiches, benedicts, and omelets at an affordable price.
• Black Bird Coffeehouse is awesome if you are looking for a quick bite to eat with some good coffee. They have a dining room as well as a drive-thru. They serve breakfast sandwiches, quiche, and lunch options.

CHECK OUT: Perfect Olympic Peninsula Road Trip (Map + Where to Stay)

Visitor Centers

It’s always a good idea to start your day by checking out the visitor center. The Olympic National Park Visitor Center is located at the base of Hurricane Ridge in Port Angeles. This is the main visitor center for the park, with a walk-through exhibit, gift shops, and plenty of information on the area. If you are taking the shuttle, you will need to go here first to obtain your National Parks Pass if you don’t already have one.

Up until 2023, there was a visitor center and day lodge at the top of Hurricane Ridge Road, but a devastating fire destroyed the lodge. The park has no immediate plans to rebuild. There are temporary structures at the top, though, like a ranger station and gift shop that are open when staffing allows.

Getting Up the Mountain

After breakfast, you’ll start the climb. Regardless of whether you’re driving or taking the shuttle, expect the drive to be 30-40 minutes. One pro to driving yourself is the ability to stop at the viewpoints along the way. There are several areas to pull over and take photos. Plus, these viewpoints often have informational signs telling you about the history of the area.

Take in the Panoramic Views

Even if you take the shuttle and aren’t able to stop for the views along the drive, the main parking lot at Hurricane Ridge offers incredible, panoramic sights of the mountains surrounding you. From here, you can walk along the Cirque Rim Trail, which is an easy trail leading you to an overlook of the northern mountains that are otherwise blocked from the parking lot.

Go for a Hike

There are only two things to do at the top of Hurricane Ridge: take in the views or go for a hike. While most of the hikes in the area are considered hard, there are a few that are easier to access and still provide you with amazing views.

Sunrise Viewpoint

The sunrise viewpoint is located in the main Hurricane Ridge parking lot. A short but steep hike will lead you to an overlook towering above the parking lot. On a clear day, you get a 360° view of the Olympic wilderness spanning from the Puget Sound to the Olympic Mountains. While it is a steep climb, it is short and well worth the trek. This would be ideal for someone who wants amazing views without the commitment of hiking long miles.

Hurricane Hill Trail

A moderate 3.4-mile hike with an elevation gain of 830 ft. Hurricane Hill is a fully paved trail, leading you through a mixture of dense forests and subalpine terrain. It’s relatively flat for the first half mile, then the climb begins. There are plenty of benches along the way to rest. The end of this hike rewards you with incredible views of the Olympic Range, the Puget Sound, and on a clear day, you can even see Vancouver Island.

If you visit during the shoulder season, when the snow is mostly melted, but the road all the way to the trail is still closed, it adds an extra 3 miles to the trip, which is what I did on my last visit. The extra mileage is all road walking and is still worth the trek.

If I could only choose one hike for my day at Hurricane Ridge, this would be my pick. The trail is fairly short and sweet with big rewards. Not only are you surrounded by beautiful landscapes everywhere you look, but the wildlife is abundant on this trail. With marmots, deer, and Chipmunks running around the Alpine Meadows, you’ll want to stay a while and take many photos. So, don’t forget to pack the camera, it’s well worth carrying the extra weight.

Klahhane Ridge Trail

There are two ways to access Klahhane Ridge, via the Switchback Trail or Sunrise Point. The Switchback Trail route is the shortest, but steepest option. It’s a hard hike, with it about 3 miles round trip and a 1,400-foot elevation gain. The hike takes you through a series of steep switchbacks, leading you to the top of Klahhane Ridge. The end of this trail offers unobstructed views of the mountain ranges surrounding you. This trailhead parking lot is 15 miles up Hurricane Ridge Road. Parking is limited and can probably only accommodate 10 or so cars. There is a shuttle stop here, though.

The trail to Klahhane Ridge from Sunrise Point is a hard, 7-mile hike with 2,000 feet of elevation gain. This walk is mostly along the ridgeline, giving you sweeping viewpoints along the way. This starting point is accessed from the main Hurricane Ridge parking lot. Once you reach the summit, you can turn around or continue your hike to include Mount Angeles or Angeles Lake.

Angeles Lake

Angeles Lake can be accessed from the Klahhane Ridge trail, but the main trailhead is on the road right next to the entrance station, where the shuttle stop is. This trail is a hard 7-mile out-and-back hike with 2,400 feet of elevation gain. The hike takes you into the wilderness to the incredible alpine lake, Lake Angeles.

This hike can be made into a backpacking trip, as there is a backcountry campground at Angeles Lake. You will need permits in order to stay and a bear-proof food canister, both of which can be obtained at the Olympic National Park Visitor Center in Port Angeles. Find out more information on the National Park website.

Picnic

There are no restaurants at Hurricane Ridge, so it’s recommended to bring lunch and have a picnic. There are two picnic areas along the Hurricane Hill Road. Each picnic area has plenty of tables and a restroom. There are also overlooks here, giving you views of the nearby mountains. If I’m doing a longer hike, I like to bring my lunch with me so I have something to keep me motivated during my long-mile days.

Venture Out to Obstruction Point

Obstruction Point Road is a narrow, gravel drive. Because of the condition of the road, no RVs, trailers, or buses are allowed. The drive is a well-maintained road, but it has steep drop-offs and can be windy at times.

Obstruction Point Road takes you 8 miles to Obstruction Point, which is a starting point for many trails. Although even if you don’t plan on hiking, the drive offers amazing views of the meadows and the Olympic Mountain Range.

Obruction Point Trails

There are 11 trails starting from the end of the road, but I’ll list out the most well-maintained and popular trails to hike here.

• Obstruction Point to Deer Park: hard, 14.2 miles, with 3,300 feet of elevation gain. This trail leads you to Deer Park Campground and would be an awesome hike for anyone wanting to backpack to the campground for a night.
• Badger Valley to Grand Lake and Grand Pass Loop: hard, 8.4 miles, with 2,600 feet of elevation gain. What’s awesome about this trail is that it’s a loop, which is rare for the hikes at Hurricane Ridge. This is also a popular backpacking trail. It takes you through a mixture of ridgeline walking with colorful meadows and dense forests.
• Elk Mountain Trail Loop: moderate, 4.5 miles, with 1,350 feet of elevation gain. This trail takes you along the ridge line with sweeping views of the valley below you.

Star Gaze

Olympic Telescope leads dark sky programs throughout the summer, including full moon hikes. These are free and open to the public. The programs take place at Hurricane Ridge. The company has 3 telescopes that they bring for scouting and try to emphasize finding the nebula and galaxy.

The gate to Hurricane Ridge is open 24/7. So, if you can’t attend a program, you can still make the drive yourself to experience the dark sky. This is also an awesome spot to watch the Aurora Borealis.

Visiting Hurricane Ridge in the Winter

While most people visit Hurricane Ridge in the summer, there is winter access as well. With 30-40 feet of snowfall per year, Hurricane Ridge becomes a winter paradise. Winter visits leave you with dramatic, snow-covered scenery and chilly air. There is surprisingly a lot you can do for a day at the top of a snowy, Hurricane Ridge.

The mountains surrounding you turn into a snow sports haven. Hurricane Ridge offers you skiing, snowboarding, tubing, and snowshoeing. There are even ranger-led snowshoe walks. The winter activities are run by the Hurricane Ridge Winter Sports Area. There are two tow ropes and a Poma lift set up for skiers and snowboarders.

During the winter, Hurricane Ridge is open Friday through Sunday from late November through March, weather permitting. They may close the gates at any time due to severe snowstorms. With limited parking during the winter, the parking lot usually fills up around 9 am; at this time, they will not allow another car to enter until one exits. This creates long lines of cars waiting at the entrance station. So, plan to arrive early.

Where to Eat

With Hurricane Ridge having limited amenities, the nearest place to get a meal is Port Angeles. Here are some of the top recommendations for where to grab a bite to eat after your long day of adventure.

• Strait Slice: This little pizza shop, located in the heart of Port Angeles, is a local favorite. They sell pies and pizza by the slice. Their slices are huge and only ~$5 a piece. They typically have four styles of pizza to choose from for their slices, and a variety of options for a whole pie.
• Oak Street Bistro: This cute little bistro has all-day brunch, plus they serve sandwiches and pasta dishes.
• 929 Wood Fire Grill: This grill offers a cozy atmosphere with patio seating. They specialize in steak and seafood dishes. It’s absolutely worth checking out for an elevated dinner experience.

Find out more about the restaurants we recommend in Olympic National Park in our article Where to Eat In and Around Olympic National Park.

Where to Stay

• Heart O’ the Hills Campground: A National Park Campground located 5 miles up Hurricane Ridge Drive, by the Entrance Station. There are 97 campsites to choose from. No reservations are required here; it’s always first-come, first-served. The campground has flush toilets and potable water.
• Fairholme Campground: This campground is also run by the National Park Service. It is located 27 miles west of Port Angeles on Highway 101. This campground is a great option if you want to venture further into the park. There are 88 campsites, on a reservation system only. This campground sits on the beautiful Lake Crescent. There are flush toilets and potable water available.
• Olympic Lodge by Ayres (book here): If you are looking for upscale accommodations, this dreamy lodge is perfect for your stay in Port Angeles. They offer complimentary breakfast and a free shuttle within a 5-mile radius. There is also a swimming pool you can enjoy during the summer.

You can read more in our article: Best Places to Camp In and Around Olympic National Park.

Whether you are looking for a breathtaking drive, long day hikes in the mountains, or a place to view the majestic snow caps surrounding you, Hurricane Ridge has a lot to offer.

What Else Do I Need to Know?

Most travelers want to visit the most popular sites and still avoid the crowds. We created a step-by-step itinerary so you can visit the best places at the right times.