Hurricane Ridge Day Lodge to undergo major rehabilitation with funding from the Great American Outdoors Act

National Park Service
News Release Date: December 7, 2022
Contact: Olympic National Park Public Affairs Office

PORT ANGELES, Wash. – Funded by the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA), Olympic National Park recently awarded an approximately $10.8 million construction contract to upgrade the Hurricane Ridge Day Lodge. The project includes interior and exterior repairs that will bring this facility into compliance with current building safety, fire, and accessibility codes.

"The Hurricane Ridge Day Lodge is located in one of the most popular areas to visit in Olympic National Park," said Superintendent Sula Jacobs. "These essential repairs will correct $6.68 million in deferred maintenance and repairs associated with this facility, and will ensure that the Day Lodge is accessible, safe, and energy efficient."

The Hurricane Ridge Day Lodge is located approximately 17 miles south of Port Angeles, Washington. At an elevation of 5,242 feet, the lodge offers a spectacular view of the Olympic Mountains and is one of the park's most easily accessed mountain areas, attracting approximately 300,000 visitors per year. It was originally built in 1952 as a ski lodge; it was remodeled in 1983, and again in 2000 when it was expanded to its current size of 12,197 square feet.

Planned improvements include the electrical and plumbing systems, fire detection and notification systems, interior accessibility, and modifications to the building's elevator to meet current code. The roof will be replaced and structurally improved, and windows, doors, exterior siding and wainscot, and interior floor coverings will be replaced. Interior walls will be painted. The restrooms, interior and exterior access routes, and parking will be improved to comply with the Architectural Barriers Act (ABA) Accessibility Standards.

Outside the Day Lodge, extensive concrete work, asphalt work, and accessibility improvements will be completed. The lower terrace patio overlooking the Olympic Mountains will receive new surfacing. The terrace's access ramp and stairs will also be reconstructed. Repairs and upgrades to the building's heating and ventilation systems will help make the Day Lodge more efficient to operate. 

In order to complete the rehabilitation, the Hurricane Ridge Day Lodge will be closed from approximately April 2023 to May 2024. Temporary facilities will serve visitors to Hurricane Ridge during this closure. Exact closure dates will be refined based on the contractor's schedule.

Infrastructure funding from GAOA and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is part of a concerted effort to address the extensive deferred maintenance and repair backlog in national parks. Supported by revenue from energy development, GAOA's Legacy Restoration Fund provides up to $1.3 billion per year for five years to the National Park Service to make significant enhancements in national parks to ensure their preservation and provide opportunities for recreation, education, and enjoyment for current and future visitors.

Learn more about this project on the NPS GAOA website.