Discover Why This Washington Mountain Shines in Winter

Olympic National Park is one of the most incredible destinations in the U.S. Within its impressive 922,000 acres, you’ll find up to 73 miles of wilderness coast, 3,000 miles of rivers and streams, 32 named glaciers, 650 archaeological sites, 130 structures, and so much more. During the summer months, this Washington national park comes alive with visitors who want to hike, camp, and explore.

However, there is nothing quite like winter at Hurricane Ridge, one popular area of this park. Hurricane Ridge is a mountain area approximately 17 miles south of Port Angeles. It is considered one of the most easily accessible mountain areas within the park and is where you can find some of the most incredible views on a clear day. During the warmer months of the year, Hurricane Ridge is breathtaking with its green meadows, fields of wildflowers, and bold mountain views.

But winter may be even more impressive. Hurricane Ridge sits at an elevation of 5,242 feet. This means that once the colder weather arrives, this mountain area is quickly covered in heavy snow, allowing for numerous winter recreational opportunities. In fact, Hurricane Ridge is the best cross-country skiing and snowshoeing destination within Olympic National Park, and there are routes for individuals of all skill levels, including backcountry skiers. You’ll want to visit the Olympic National Park website for a winter route map and details about the various trails.

However, if you’d feel a little more comfortable exploring Hurricane Ridge with a park expert, take a snowshoe tour with a ranger. Snowshoe walks with a ranger occur every Saturday and Sunday at 1:30 p.m. and typically last 90 minutes. You will trek approximately one mile and gain nearly 130 feet in elevation. Snowshoes are provided, but you will want to bundle up properly for time out in the cold weather.

And that’s just the beginning of the outdoor opportunities in this corner of the national park. Bring your own sled or snow tube and head to the Children’s Snowplay Area west of the visitor center parking lot. Here, children under the age of 8 can sled for free. Snow tubing is also allowed within the Hurricane Ridge Ski Area for a fee.

And if you love winter views like I do, you may just want to enjoy a more relaxing day, capturing the wintry views at Hurricane Ridge. It’s one breathtaking winter wonderland.

If you are planning to visit Hurricane Ridge during the winter months, be aware that the road is only open Fridays through Sundays, and on holiday Mondays. It may also close unexpectedly due to inclement weather. Vehicles must carry tire chains during the winter as well. Before you venture to this area of the park in the winter, you can receive current road status updates by calling (360) 565-3131, which is a recorded message. Also, during your day trip to this winter destination, you must be below the Heart O’ the Hills entrance station by 5 p.m. on days the road is open. Entrance fees into Olympic National Park are also required.

Hurricane Ridge may be the best winter destination in Olympic National Park. We can’t wait to get out and explore this year. Can you? And if you're headed there for your next getaway, be sure to also check out our itinerary planner for recommendations on how to make your stay even more memorable.