Spring arriving. Waterfalls running high. Wildflowers beginning.
April is the beginning of full seasonal access. Lake Crescent Lodge opens. Hurricane Ridge Road reopens intermittently and then consistently. The gray whale migration continues through mid-April. Wildflowers begin appearing at lower elevations. The peninsula comes back to life.
Magic window: Gray Whale Migration (March – May)
Gray whales migrate north along the Olympic coast from March through May — visible from shore at La Push headlands and the Kalaloch bluff trail. Spouts and dorsal ridges are visible from elevated positions at dawn. An estimated 20,000 gray whales make the journey annually between Baja and Alaska.
Conditions
Weather: 56°F high / 40°F low. Variable. Spring wildflowers beginning. Hurricane Ridge Road reopening.
Crowds: low
What's open
- All coastal areas
- Most trailheads
- Hurricane Ridge (check road status)
- Lake Crescent Lodge (opens April)
Limited or closed
- Hurricane Ridge Road may still have closures after winter
- High backcountry trails still snow-covered
Prioritize
Storm King Mountain at Lake Crescent — one of the most dramatic day hikes in the park, with the lake accessible for kayaking as the season opens. Gray whale watching through mid-April. Sol Duc Falls while spring runoff is highest.
Wellness
Sol Duc Hot Springs open. Lake Crescent kayaking begins as the lodge reopens. Spring is the best season for forest bathing at the Hoh — before crowds build.
Dining
Lake Quinault Lodge lakefront dining. Port Angeles seafood. The peninsula food scene wakes up in April.
Where to stay
Lake Crescent Lodge from April. Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort. Kalaloch year-round.
What to pack
Rain gear still necessary. Layers for variable weather. Waterproof boots for muddy spring trails.