Hurricane Ridge Sunrise Point
Tuck yourself onto Hurricane Hill Road just past the visitor center, and you'll find where locals slip onto unofficial trails for wildflower-filled sunrises away from the crowds - a spot they've kept quiet for years.
Arrive before 7 AM to catch the best light and avoid any potential crowds Bring a wildflower guide to identify subalpine species like lupine, paintbrush, and avalanche lily Wear sturdy hiking boots as the unofficial trails can be rough and uneven Check with Hurricane Ridge Ranger Station for current trail conditions and any closures
via Hurricane Hill Road from Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center, looking for unofficial trails branching off
Know Before You Go
- 📵 Cell service: Expect limited or no signal. Download offline maps before you leave the trailhead.
- 🗺️ Access varies seasonally: Trail and road conditions shift with weather and snow. Verify current status with the local ranger district before you go.
- 📅 Last verified: Information current as of April 2026. Conditions change — always double-check locally before heading out.
Packing Checklist
- ☐ Camera
- ☐ Layers for wind and elevation
- ☐ Sturdy footwear
- ☐ Water and snacks
- ☐ Sun protection
- ☐ Headlamp if arriving pre-dawn
- ☐ Binoculars for distance viewing
The Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center is one of the most visited spots in Olympic National Park. Walk past it.
Hurricane Hill Road continues west from the parking lot, and within a quarter mile the crowds thin to almost nothing. Locals who live in Port Angeles and Sequim have been coming up here for weekday sunrises for years — the road opens when the gate lifts at dawn, and by the time the tour buses arrive around 10 AM, they are already on their way back down. The meadows along the ridge hold subalpine wildflowers from late July through August: lupine, paintbrush, and avalanche lily in the open slopes between the fir stands. On a clear morning, the Strait of Juan de Fuca runs dark blue to the north with Vancouver Island beyond it.
This is a weather-dependent spot. Hurricane Ridge earns its name — the exposed ridge can go from still to 60 mph gusts in under an hour. Check the Olympic National Park road status line before driving up; the road closes frequently in winter and can close on short notice in summer for snow squalls that come through fast. The 17-mile drive from Port Angeles takes 45 minutes and is paved all the way. Arrive by 6:30 AM to catch sunrise before the gate traffic builds.
Sources
- Olympic National Park ranger station (Port Angeles) — road status and sunrise timing
- r/OlympicPeninsula — multiple locals confirming the Hurricane Hill Road extension as the quiet alternative