Spring stirring. Gray whales offshore. The first warm intervals.
March is the turning point. The gray whale migration peaks offshore — La Push and Kalaloch are the best shore-watching positions. The first genuinely warm days begin appearing between rain systems. Hurricane Ridge Road is often still closed or intermittent. The rainforest is still saturated and quiet.
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: 52°F high / 38°F low. Gray whales migrating. Occasional warm days. Hurricane Ridge Road often closed.
Crowds: low
What's open
- Hoh Rain Forest
- Coastal beaches
- Gray whale watching from shore
Limited or closed
- Hurricane Ridge Road often closed — check NPS conditions before planning the drive
- Many seasonal facilities not yet open
Prioritize
Gray whale watching from La Push headlands and Kalaloch bluff trail. Early mornings at the Hoh when the rainforest is at its least crowded. Quinault Rainforest loop for the world-record Sitka spruce.
Wellness
Sol Duc Hot Springs typically opens in March — check exact date each year. The combination of spring rain and old-growth soaking pools is singular.
Dining
Port Angeles full service. Forks improving as spring approaches. Lake Quinault Lodge opens for the season — the lakefront dining is worth building a loop around.
Where to stay
Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort typically opens in March. Lake Crescent Lodge opens in April. Kalaloch year-round.
What to pack
Rain layers still essential. Binoculars for whale watching. Waterproof boots. Light fleece for clear-day warmth.