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  "description": "Discover Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National Park with stunning mountain views, scenic hikes and tips for the best times to visit, drive and explore.",
  "path": "/hurricane-ridge-in-olympic-national-park/",
  "publishedAt": "2025-08-11T21:17:31.000Z",
  "site": "at://did:plc:xoczgo53ahhoei6pror2b43g/site.standard.publication/3mmwwrtzqnc7k",
  "tags": [
    "Hiking",
    "Olympic National Park",
    "Olympic Peninsula",
    "Road Trips",
    "United States",
    "Washington",
    "Northwest"
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  "textContent": "When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. See our Affiliate Policy. We spent two weeks exploring Olympic National Park last summer, and Hurricane Ridge was one of the absolute highlights. After days of wandering the wild west coast, hiking through moss-covered forests, making it to the edge of the contiguous U.S., and chasing waterfalls, it was time to explore the Olympic Mountains near Port Angeles, a completely different world from the beaches and mossy forests. Getting to Hurricane Ridge: Routes & Nearby Stays We based ourselves in Sequim, splitting our stay between a basic but comfy Red Lion Hotel in town and a peaceful Airbnb out in the country. Both spots were pet-friendly (super important when you’re traveling with dogs), though we ended up leaving the pups behind for our actual Hurricane Ridge visit since dogs are only allowed on paved and other designated areas. Grand Valley Trail, 8-Miles from Hurricane Ridge The drive from Sequim to Hurricane Ridge takes about an hour. It’s mostly smooth sailing except for an occasionally traffic-heavy stretch along US 101 through Port Angeles. Once you turn onto Race Street, it’s a straight shot up to the ridge. We visited Hurricane Ridge on August 7th, right in the middle of what’s often recommended as one of the best times to visit the Olympic Peninsula. That timing gave us warm, mostly clear weather and plenty of daylight for hiking and sunset watching. You can also check out the Hurricane Ridge webcam for a live view of the area. Port Angeles Weather Best Times to Visit Hurricane Ridge for Sunrise & Sunset We actually saw Hurricane Ridge at different times throughout the day, and each felt completely different. Our first visit was mid-morning, starting around 10am for a hike on the Grand Valley Trail near Obstruction Point. The bright sunlight highlighted the rugged textures of the mountains, and dramatic clouds overhead created stunning contrast against the deep greens and browns. It also gave us a chance to hike deeper into the Hurricane Ridge mountains, away from any touristy crowds. Later that evening, we returned for sunset (arriving around 8pm and staying until about 10:30pm). The mountains took on a cooler, bluer hue, and the clouds cleared out, giving the sky ample room to light up in red and gold colors as the sun dipped below the peaks. If you’re planning a trip, catching Hurricane Ridge at sunset is absolutely worth it. Hurricane Ridge Entry Fees & Parking Guide We used our America the Beautiful Pass to enter Olympic National Park, and parking was never an issue. There were plenty of spots available at Hurricane Ridge throughout the day and evening. Unlike some other popular park areas like the Hall of Mosses, you won’t have to stress about arriving early to grab a spot. Scenic Drive to Hurricane Ridge from Port Angeles Driving from Sequim through Port Angeles and up Hurricane Ridge Road feels very distinct from driving anywhere else in the park. Once you pass the Olympic National Park Visitor Center, the noise and traffic quickly fade away, replaced by quiet forested roads winding upward into the mountains. The 17-mile drive from Port Angeles is straightforward and scenic, with views improving the closer you get to the top of Hurricane Ridge (5,242 feet). If you’re visiting in summer, the road will be open and mostly clear. During the winter months, it’s a different story: the road is only open Fridays through Sundays and holiday Mondays, weather permitting. Check the Olympic National Park road conditions page for the latest updates. Hurricane Ridge Viewpoints & Mountain Scenery Stepping out of the car onto the ridge was a reminder of just how diverse Olympic National Park is. After 1.5 weeks exploring beaches and moss-covered forests, suddenly we were standing atop the mountain with the snow-capped Mount Olympus peaks clearly visible in the distance. The entire scene was a dynamic mix of mountains, valleys, wildflowers, and clouds. There was a light haze, but nothing that spoiled the incredible views. The fresh mountain air and quiet made it easy to soak everything in. Grand Valley Trail & Obstruction Point Hike Details Our big adventure was hiking part of the Grand Valley Trail, accessed via Obstruction Point Road, also known as “Washington’s Scariest Road” (an 8-mile gravel route off Hurricane Ridge). The trailhead sits above 6,000 feet elevation and felt like a whole different world. While the trail is long, we hiked about 4 miles out and back which took us roughly four hours (we were too preoccupied with the view to keep track of time). It was mostly sunny and warm, but the altitude kept it feeling cool and comfortable. The trail was open and exposed, with very little shade or trees, so wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses were must-haves. Along the way, wildflowers popped up in bursts of yellow, purple, and red, adding vibrant color to the otherwise rocky, dusty terrain. One of the best moments was reaching a rocky outcrop about 1.6 miles in. From this “holy cow” viewpoint, Mount Olympus filled the horizon, its snowy slopes framed by drifting clouds. Nearby, brilliant blue glacial ponds shimmered below us, and a few lingering snow patches reminded us how high up we were. Despite the trail’s reputation, it didn’t feel dangerous, just steep enough to keep you focused. The parking lot at Obstruction Point was small and full, but there was safe room to park along the road, so don’t let that discourage you if you are looking for an exciting Hurricane Ridge hike. This has been one of the most beautiful mountain hikes we have ever been on. If you’re curious what we bring along for our hikes, check out the gear we use! Evening and Sunset at Hurricane Ridge After our hike, we drove back to our Airbnb to spend some time with our dogs. We took them to one of Sequim’s nearby dog parks so they could run, stretch their legs and burn off some energy. We dropped them back off at the Airbnb and made one final stop. This was our last evening on the Olympic Peninsula before driving back to Alabama, so we made the drive back up to Hurricane Ridge to catch the sunset. As the sun dipped behind the peaks, the mountains hue cooled to a soft blue and sky began glowing with red and gold. The perfect way to end our time in Olympic. We sat in the parking lot, where the Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center once stood (it burned down on May 7th, 2023) until the sun had completely set. Stargazing at Hurricane Ridge As we walked back to our car, we stumbled upon a small astronomy group who had set up with a massive telescope in the parking lot. They kindly let us take a closer look at the moon which showed the detailed craters. If you’re visiting during the summer months, keep an eye out for the Night Sky Program! The might be stationed in the parking lot when the sky is clear. Overall, this was a perfect way to end our time at the ridge. Hurricane Ridge Visitor Tips & Seasonal Advice Dress in layers: It can be cooler up at 6,000 feet, even in summer. A warm jacket is a good idea. Parking is usually easy: We didn’t have any parking issues over the course of our August visit. Dogs: Only allowed on paved areas, so plan accordingly if you’re traveling with pups. Road access: The ridge road closes in winter except weekends and holidays. Be sure to check current conditions before you go. Other Places to Visit in Olympic National Park While Hurricane Ridge offers stunning mountain views and accessible hikes, Olympic National Park has so much more to explore across its diverse landscapes: Rialto Beach & First Beach: Located near the town of Forks, these rugged beaches feature dramatic sea stacks, tide pools, and easy coastal trails. Sol Duc Falls: A must-see waterfall in an old-growth forest, with a moderate hike that’s great for families and nature lovers. Marymere Falls: A short, family-friendly hike through lush rainforest leads to a beautiful cascading waterfall. It’s ideal if you want a quick nature fix without a long trek. Peabody Creek Trailhead: A lesser-known trail offering peaceful forest scenery and opportunities for wildlife spotting away from the crowds. Cape Flattery: Though technically just outside the park boundaries, it’s the northwesternmost point of the contiguous U.S. with breathtaking ocean cliffs and views. Hoh Rainforest: One of the park’s most visited areas, this temperate rainforest features moss-draped trees and trails like the Hall of Mosses. Each of these spots feature a unique side of Olympic and offers plenty of adventure no matter what type of trip you’re planning. Click on the pins in the map below to explore our favorite nearby spots in Olympic National Park. Google Map needs advertisement cookies to load. These cookies cover both our site and the embedded content. Or View on Google Maps Why Hurricane Ridge Should Be on Your Olympic National Park Itinerary Hurricane Ridge is definitely one of the more popular and touristy spots in Olympic National Park; think of it like the Hall of Mosses but with mountains. That said, we may have been lucky with minimal crowds during our visits. If you only have a half day in the park and are near Port Angeles, Hurricane Ridge is a great way to spend it. It offers dramatic mountain views, accessible hikes, and that distinct high-alpine feeling you won’t find anywhere else in Olympic.",
  "title": "Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National Park: Scenic Drive, Best Hikes & Sunset Views",
  "updatedAt": "2025-08-19T23:59:11.000Z"
}