Editing Olympic National Park (section)

==Recreation==
[[File:Camping site Lake Quinault.jpg|thumb|left|Camping site on the shores of [[Lake Quinault]]]]
There are several roads in the park, but none penetrate far into the interior. The park features a [[Trails of Olympic National Park|network of hiking trails]], although the size and remoteness mean that it will usually take more than a weekend to get to the high country in the interior. The sights of the rain forest, with plants run riot and dozens of hues of green, are well worth the possibility of rain sometime during the trip, although July, August, and September frequently have long dry spells.
[[File:Olympic NP Climbing Ladder.jpg|thumb|Rope ladder used to climb inland to round impassable capes when backpacking along the coast]]
An unusual feature of ONP is the opportunity for backpacking along the beach. The length of the coastline in the park is sufficient for multi-day trips, with the entire day spent walking along the beach. Although idyllic compared to toiling up a mountainside ([[Seven Lakes Basin]] is a notable example), one must be aware of the tide; at the narrowest parts of the beaches, the high tide washes up to the cliffs behind, blocking passage. Several promontories must be struggled over, using a combination of muddy steep trails and fixed ropes.

During winter, the viewpoint known as [[Hurricane Ridge]] offers numerous winter sports activities. The Hurricane Ridge Winter Sports Club operates [[Hurricane Ridge Ski and Snowboard Area]], a not-for-profit alpine ski area that offers ski lessons, rentals, and inexpensive lift tickets. The small alpine area is serviced by two [[rope tow]]s and one [[poma lift]].  A large amount of backcountry terrain is accessible for skiers, snowboarders, and other backcountry travelers when Hurricane Ridge Road is open.  Winter access to Hurricane Ridge Road is currently limited to Friday through Sunday weather permitting.  The Hurricane Ridge Winter Access Coalition is a community effort to restore seven-day-a-week access via the Hurricane Ridge Road (the only park road accessing alpine terrain in winter).

Rafting is available on both the Elwha and Hoh Rivers. Boating is common on [[Ozette Lake]], [[Lake Crescent]], and [[Lake Quinault]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Olympic National Park |author-link=Olympic National Park |title=Boating |url=https://www.nps.gov/olym/planyourvisit/boating.htm |access-date=December 7, 2022 |publisher=National Park Service}}</ref> Fishing is allowed in the Ozette River, Queets River (below Tshletshy Creek), Hoh River, Quinault River (below North Shore Quinault River Bridge), Quillayute River and Dickey River.<ref name=":0" /> A fishing license is not required to fish in the park. Fishing for bull trout and Dolly Varden trout is not allowed and must be released if incidentally caught.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Olympic National Park |author-link=Olympic National Park |title=Fishing |url=https://www.nps.gov/olym/planyourvisit/fishing.htm |access-date=November 6, 2021 |publisher=National Park Service}}</ref> 
{{wide image|Hurricane ridge panorama 5.jpg|560px|Panoramic view from near the [[Hurricane Ridge]] visitor center which is to the right|50%|right}}

Views of the Olympic National Park can be seen from the [[Hurricane Ridge]] viewpoint. The road leading west from the [[Hurricane Ridge]] visitor center has several picnic areas and trailheads. A paved trail called the [[Hurricane Hill]] trail is about {{Convert|1.6|mi|km}} long each way, with an elevation gain of about {{Convert|700|ft|m}}. It is not uncommon to find snow on the trails even as late as July. Several other dirt trails of varying distances and difficulty levels branch off of the Hurricane hill trail. The picnic areas are open only in the summer and have restrooms, water, and paved access to picnic tables.

The Hurricane Ridge visitor center burned down on May 7, 2023. Constructed in the 1950s, it contained a 3D topographical map of the Olympics, a media center which showed nature documentaries of the area as well as other interpretive exhibits, and a gift shop.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.nps.gov/olym/hurricane-ridge-post-fire.htm |title=Hurricane Ridge |publisher=[[National Park Service]]}}</ref> There is currently no timeline for when the center will be replaced; the project to rebuild the lodge and establish a temporary visitors' center was allocated $80&nbsp;million in federal funding in late 2023.<ref>{{cite news |last=Scruggs |first=Gregory |date=October 27, 2023 |title=Murray earmarks $80M to rebuild Hurricane Ridge Day Lodge |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/life/outdoors/murray-earmarks-80m-to-rebuild-hurricane-ridge-day-lodge/ |work=The Seattle Times |accessdate=March 3, 2024}}</ref>

[[File:Fog at Hurricane Ridge.jpg|560px|thumb|alt=Fog at Hurricane Ridge|A foggy day at Hurricane Ridge, as seen from the visitor center]]