Beyond the Overlook
Worth it? Yes. We would do Hurricane Hill for sunset again, but we rank the rainforest, Storm King and Rialto higher because they felt more distinctive.
We went specifically for sunset
This was not an accidental golden-hour stop. We planned Hurricane Hill around sunset, and it was gorgeous. The high open terrain gives you a completely different Olympic experience from the rainforest and coast.
We also saw deer near the top, which added to the evening.
Why it is not higher in our ranking
The trail is paved and very popular. That makes it approachable, but for us it also meant it lacked the adventurous feeling of Storm King or the immersive feeling of Quinault. We still think first-time visitors should do it.
2026 planning note: NPS reports construction around Hurricane Ridge during summer 2026 and no potable water at Hurricane Ridge. Check current conditions before driving up.
Keep planning Olympic: our 4-day itinerary, best hikes, Mt. Storm King, Rialto to Hole in the Wall, and Hoh vs. Quinault.