Hydraulic valves for dampening pressure spikes and associated methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a hydraulic valve for dampening pressure spikes includes: a spool configured to move axially inside the hydraulic valve; and a sleeve configured to at least partially house the spool. A location of the spool with respect to the sleeve may determine a flow of a working fluid through the hydraulic valve. A viscous damper is at least partially housed inside an opening in the spool, and a viscous friction between the viscous damper and the opening in the spool slows a motion of the spool.