Hurricane Ridge sits at 5,242 feet, and in winter the road up is open only on weekends

One of Olympic National Park’s best-known viewpoints turns into a weekend-only destination once the snow arrives. Hurricane Ridge sits at 5,242 feet, 17 miles south of Port Angeles, and in winter the road up is typically open only Friday through Sunday and a few holidays.

That sounds like a hassle until you see the meadows buried in white. Ready to plan around the road instead of the other way around?

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How the winter schedule works

The National Park Service says the road is typically open to uphill traffic from 9 am to 4 pm, weather permitting, and it can open as late as noon. Storms can close or delay it, and the road is closed on Christmas Day. The winter season usually runs from late November through the end of March.

Tire chains or another approved traction device are required for every vehicle, four-wheel drive included, above the Heart O’ the Hills entrance station from November 1 through April 1. Every vehicle also has to be back below that station by 5 pm. Call the park’s road and weather hotline at 360-565-3131 before you leave town.

What’s different since the fire

The Hurricane Ridge Day Lodge burned in 2023, and that changed what a winter visit looks like. Temporary trailers now hold restrooms and a visitor contact station that is staffed on and off from Friday through Sunday.

There is no indoor warming area, no food service, no drinking water, and no gear rental, snowshoes and skis included. Bring your own layers, snacks, water, and a blanket, and plan on your parked car as the warm-up spot.

What to do once you’re up there

The park lists 15 to 20 miles of snowshoe and ski routes, but none are groomed or marked, and two follow unplowed roads. Beginner terrain is limited to the meadows above the parking area. The backcountry beyond includes steep slopes, so check avalanche conditions before you go anywhere near it.

If skis aren’t your thing, kids eight and under can sled for free at the Children’s Snowplay Area with their own sleds (no runners). Tubing is open to all ages at the ski area, using ski area tubes only. Weather permitting, the Hurricane Ridge Winter Sports Club runs two rope tows and a Poma lift, which is a charming throwback in the best way.

Here’s my one firm opinion: make it a Friday. You get the same road and the same meadows, and you still have a weekend ahead to dry out your boots. Ranger-led snowshoe walks have run on winter weekend afternoons in past seasons, so call 360-565-3130 to see whether they’re back.

Before you go

Entrance fees are collected at the Heart O’ the Hills station whenever the road is open. Hurricane Ridge is inside the national park, so an America the Beautiful Pass is the pass that applies here.

Port Angeles is the closest base, and our Port Angeles guide covers where to eat and what else to do. Come back in summer and the same ridge is a hiker’s paradise, with plenty of ideas in our Olympic National Park hiking guide.

Would you rather make the winter trip for snowshoeing or just for the view? Tell us in the comments.

Trip tips: grab a rental car to get out here, lock in your hotel before the good rooms are gone, or skip both and book a camper van instead.

Rules and fees change, so always confirm current requirements before you go.

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