Olympic Marmot Hurricane Ridge
Watch the rare, endemic Olympic marmot frolic in alpine meadows at Hurricane Ridge — one of the only places on Earth to find this species.
About this spectacle
Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National Park is one of the best places in North America to observe the endemic Olympic marmot in its natural habitat. These large, sociable ground squirrels emerge from hibernation in late spring and are active through summer across the alpine meadows, offering remarkably close and unhurried encounters. Visitors walk through wildflower-carpeted subalpine fields with sweeping views of the Olympic Mountains and the Strait of Juan de Fuca beyond. The marmots whistle warnings to each other, forage openly on grasses and flowers, and wrestle playfully near their burrow entrances. Deer and black bears are occasionally spotted on the surrounding slopes. The ridge sits above treeline, providing wide-open skies and dramatic mountain backdrops that make every encounter feel expansive and cinematic. The accessible visitor center and paved areas mean the spectacle is within reach for a broad range of visitors.
When to go
May — Oct, peak Jun — Aug
Getting there
Nearest airport: SEA. Nearest city: Port Angeles.
Booking options
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