How to Visit the Hoh Rainforest in Olympic National Park: The Complete Guide
Are you looking to visit the Hoh Rainforest in Olympic National Park? Let us help you plan your trip! In this guide, we’ll go over everything you need to know about visiting the Hoh Rainforest in Washington, including how to get there, when to go, things to do in the Hoh Rainforest, and more!
The Hoh Rainforest…images of this lush and mystical forest are what come to mind when many people think of the Olympic Peninsula in Washington. With easy hiking paths through a dense mossy forest that make you feel like you’ve walked into a fairytale (or sometimes…more like Jurassic Park!), getting a chance to see the Hoh Rainforest is often one of the main reasons people visit Olympic National Park.
In stark contrast to the popular Pacific coastline beaches and the scenic alpine areas of Hurricane Ridge, the Hoh Rainforest is one of the many unique ecosystems found in and protected by Olympic National Park, and is a great addition to any Washington road trip itinerary.
Because of its popularity, it’s no surprise that the Hoh Rainforest is also one of the busiest places in Olympic National Park. During peak months, lines can form at the entrance to the Hoh Rainforest that could have you waiting for up to a couple of hours! But we’re here to help…
In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know to help you plan a perfect trip to the Hoh Rainforest in Olympic National Park. We’ll share tips for when to go, how to avoid the crowds, things to do, and more.
So, let’s get to it!
In this Hoh Rainforest guide:
Where is the Hoh Rainforest?
The Hoh Rainforest is one of the most popular places to visit in Olympic National Park, found on the western side of the Olympic Peninsula, and about 2 hours from Port Angeles (one of the main hubs from which to explore this National Park).
Access to the Hoh Rainforest is off of WA-101, near the rugged and moody beaches of the Pacific Coastline (other great places to visit in Olympic National Park!).
The Hoh Rainforest mainly exists due to the rain shadow effect on the Olympic Peninsula. Storms rolling in from the Pacific coast run into the Olympic Mountains that border the rainforest on the east, causing the systems to release all their moisture in the form of rain over the western peninsula…and rain it does… The Hoh Rainforest can get up to 12 feet of rain per year! All this rain creates the lush mossy rainforests found across the western half of the Olympic Peninsula, including the Hoh, Quinault, and Queets Rainforests.
So what makes the Hoh Rainforest so special? Well, the Hoh Rainforest is one of the best examples of a temperate rainforest in the continental U.S., and even the world. It’s incredible to think about how diverse the United States really is, but we often don’t associate this kind of rainforest ecosystem with the lower 48, so it’s pretty cool to be able to easily access these kinds of places that will have you feel like you’ve wandered through some sort of fairytale-like landscape.
The famous giant trees of the Hoh Rainforest
Scenic trails travel through the lush Hoh Rainforest
Also, because it’s nestled deep in the center of the Olympic Peninsula via a long access road, it’s pretty far removed from any sort of main roads, traffic, and flight paths, and because of this, the Hoh Rainforest has been considered one of the quietest places in the continental U.S., though it might be hard to really imagine that given how popular and crowded the Hoh Rainforest can get (we’ll talk about how to possibly avoid the crowds in just a bit!).
How to get to the Hoh Rainforest in Olympic National Park
Highway WA-101 circles the perimeter of the Olympic Peninsula, providing access to various regions of Olympic National Park. Entrance to the Hoh Rainforest in Olympic National Park is via a long access road (Upper Hoh Road) off of WA-101 on the western side of the Peninsula. This access road stretches 18 miles as it follows the Hoh River into the heart of the temperate rainforest towards the center of the peninsula. From WA-101, it took us about 20 minutes to get to the National Park sign and Hoh Rainforest entrance station found along the access road, and then another 10 minutes to reach the end of the road where the Hoh Rainforest campground, parking lot, visitor center, and trailheads are found, so it’s a bit of a trek. The road is paved the whole way, though, so it’s very accessible, and it’s pretty scenic as you start to enter the lush forest and get some views to the Hoh River.
Driving into the Hoh Rainforest!
Olympic National Park is big, with its various points of interest spread out pretty far across the entire peninsula. Here are the distances to the Hoh Rainforest from some of the other popular places in Olympic National Park and some common towns to stay in:
Forks to the Hoh Rainforest: 1 hour
Mora and La Push (coastal beaches) to the Hoh Rainforest: 1 hour 10 minutes
Lake Crescent to the Hoh Rainforest: 1.5 hours
Port Angeles to the Hoh Rainforest: 2 hours
Hurricane Ridge to the Hoh Rainforest: 2.5 hours
Sequim to the Hoh Rainforest: 2.5 hours
Staircase to the Hoh Rainforest: 4 hours
Seattle to the Hoh Rainforest: 4.5 hours
Map of Olympic National Park
This Olympic National Park map is taken from the park brochure and highlights where the Hoh Rainforest is in relation to other popular places in the park.
Here we highlight where the Hoh Rainforest is in relation to other famous spots in Olympic National Park
Best Time to Visit the Hoh Rainforest in Olympic National Park
The Hoh Rainforest can be visited any time of year but there are some things to keep in mind when deciding when exactly you want to go.
The busiest time of year to visit the Hoh Rainforest is in the summer, with the busiest months being June, July, and August. Summer is the driest and warmest time of year in Olympic National Park, but still plan for variable weather, rain, and big temperature swings of up to 20 degrees as you move from one area to another within the park.
Because the Hoh Rainforest is such a popular place to visit, visiting in the summer comes with the complications of high crowds. From June to August, the parking lot for the Hoh Rainforest often fills to capacity by mid-morning. When this happens, cars are held at the Hoh Rainforest entrance gate and metered in as others leave, with wait times of up to 2 hours! So, if visiting during these peak summer months, we definitely recommend you get to the Hoh Rainforest early, or later after the crowds have died down. The park service recommends getting there before 10 am or after 5 pm. Otherwise, expect to wait at the entrance anywhere from a half hour to 2 hours.
For reference, we visited the Hoh Rainforest on a Thursday in July. We got there at about 7:30 am, and the parking lot was only about 20% full. We barely saw anyone on the trails, even on the popular Hall of Mosses Trail, for about the first hour we were there! Around 8:30 – 9:00 am, we definitely noticed more people coming through, and by 10 am, it was in full swing. We left the Hoh Rainforest at 10:45am, and drove by a huge line of cars at the entrance gate. It looked like some of them had been there a while, too, since lots of people were out of their cars stretching and waiting.
We really enjoyed visiting the Hoh Rainforest in the early morning, not only to avoid the crowds and experience a more natural and quiet version of this otherwise busy place, but also because the early morning light is really awesome to see as the sun shines through and lights up the forest, making it even more mystical and magical. We imagine it would be similarly awesome in the evening, too!
Early morning sun lights up the trees of the Hoh Rainforest
Beautiful trails weave their way through the Hoh Rainforest
The winter months between November and April are the least busy time in the Hoh Rainforest and you won’t have to worry about entrance lines, but it’s also when the majority of the rainforest’s 10-12 annual feet of rain fall. If you’re prepared with the mindset that you’ll get wet, and have the proper rain gear, you’ll likely get the full effect of wandering through an incredibly lush, wet rainforest, but without the crowds! Just be prepared for limited facilities (the Hoh Rainforest visitor center remains completely closed in January and February, for example).
The spring and fall shoulder seasons are a great time to visit the Hoh Rainforest. Temperatures are a little cooler than the summer, and you might experience the start or end of the winter rains, but crowds will be less…just be prepared for any sort of weather!
Before heading out, no matter when you visit the Hoh Rainforest, be sure to check the trail and road conditions for any unexpected closures or obstacles.
Things to Do in the Hoh Rainforest
So, what’s there to do in the Hoh Rainforest once you get there? Other than a pop-in to the visitor center where you can learn more about the area, the main thing to do in the Hoh Rainforest is hike (our favorite!). There are just three main hiking trails here, most of which are flat, short, and easy walks through the forest that allow you to experience the mystical rainforest vibes of the Olympic Peninsula. All start right by the Hoh Rainforest visitor center and are well-signed, so it’s easy to find your way around the area.
The trails in the Hoh Rainforest are easy to navigate!
Let’s get more into the three Hoh Rainforest hikes…
The Hall of Mosses
The Hall of Mosses Trail is the most famous and well-known area in the Hoh Rainforest, and perhaps in the entire National Park! Most people visit the Hoh Rainforest specifically to walk this trail and witness for themselves the giant moss-draped trees that have made this place so popular.
The famous trees of the Hall of Mosses Trail in the Hoh Rainforest
Standing next to the mossy giants in the Hoh Rainforest
The Hall of Mosses is an easy 0.8 mile loop trail that’s mostly flat, and will take you through some of the most picturesque parts of the Hoh Rainforest. Along the way, you’ll wander along lush undergrowth, past unique tree formations, through dense mossy forest, and discover a few patches of those famous mossy giants. Those famous trees don’t make up the entire trail as you might imagine, but when you do find them, they are pretty awesome! You’ll also pass by some interpretive trail signs to learn more about the different trees and their growth patterns. We hiked the Hall of Mosses early in the day and especially loved the way the early morning light lit up the forest.
Here are some of our favorite pictures we took along the Hall of Mosses in the Hoh Rainforest.
You’ll find lots of interesting tree formations in the Hoh Rainforest
Interpretive signs along the Hall of Mosses will teach you about the rainforest ecosystem
The Spruce Nature Trail
The Spruce Nature Trail is another, slightly longer (1.2 mile) loop through the Hoh Rainforest. This hike will take you through more old and new growth forest, and out to a viewpoint along the Hoh River. The trail has much of the same scenery as the Hall of Mosses, and even has a couple of those unique giant mossy trees, but without the same kinds of crowds. We started on this trail after the area started getting busy for the day, but we still barely saw anyone out here!
Giant mossy trees are found along the Spruce Nature Trail in the Hoh Rainforest
Walking through a mossy wonderland on the Spruce Nature Trail
Views of the Hoh River along the Spruce Nature Trail in the Hoh Rainforest
We thought this Hoh Rainforest hike was definitely worth it to avoid the crowds that had started to form on the Hall of Mosses Trail, and to just get more time hiking through and experiencing the rainforest!
The Hoh River Trail
The Hoh River trailhead sign showing distances to various distances on this long one-way trail into the heart of the Olympic Peninsula
The Hoh River Trail is a long out-and-back trail that begins in the Hoh Rainforest and goes 18.5 miles into the center of the peninsula, ending at a glacial moraine at the foot of Mount Olympus itself. This trail is often used by groups looking to summit Mount Olympus, but it can also be hiked as just a simple day hike for as far as you’d like before turning around, which is exactly what we did. The first half of this long trail is pretty flat and easy before it starts its steep climb up towards the base of Mount Olympus, so there is plenty of non-challenging trail to hike for those looking for more time in the rainforest.
We only hiked about a mile into Hoh River Trail…and we’re so glad we did! It actually turned out to be our favorite thing to do in the Hoh Rainforest! We liked it even more than the Hall of Mosses. It was very picturesque and had plenty of trees that were just as big and mossy as the ones found on the more popular trail, with virtually zero crowds (we really only saw the occasional guided group on their way to a Mount Olympus ascent). We loved being able to experience the quietness and seclusion that we feel makes places like the Hoh Rainforest so special to be in.
Walking through the lush and mossy Hoh Rainforest on the Hoh River Trail
The Hoh River Trail looks like a scene out of Jurassic Park!
We hiked about 1 mile into the trail to the Hoh River access point, but you can hike even further to a small rainforest waterfall (Mineral Creek Falls) or to Five Mile Island which would make for a good full day hike in the Hoh Rainforest.
Our turnaround point on the Hoh River Trail
If you are interested in hiking the Hoh River Trail even further out, you can make this a backpacking trip, as there are a couple of backcountry campgrounds en route. Camping at Glacier Meadows and seeing the Blue Glacier Moraine looks absolutely epic, and something on our bucketlist for our next visit for sure. You can also use this trail to connect with the High Divide Trail and Sol Duc Valley. Be sure to check out the Olympic National Park backpacking page for more information about campsites, backcountry permits, and planning your trip.
Hoh Rainforest map
This map is found in the Hoh Rainforest brochure and on signs near the Hoh Rainforest Visitor Center, and gives a good idea of where all the best things to do in the Hoh Rainforest are located.
This Hoh Rainforest map shows where all the Hoh Rainforest trails are located
How Much Time Do You Need in the Hoh Rainforest?
As you can see, there aren’t a ton of things to do in the Hoh Rainforest, so you don’t really need to devote a lot of time for your visit, making it a great place to explore for those with limited time in Olympic National Park.
We spent three hours in the Hoh Rainforest and were able to hike the Hall of Mosses, the Spruce Nature Trail, and a couple of miles out and back on the Hoh River Trail, so in just a short bit of time, we were able to experience a lot of what the rainforest has to offer. If you only plan to hike around the Hall of Mosses, an hour or two is more than enough time to walk the loop and stop in the Visitor Center.
The only reason you would need more time is if you plan to hike further along the Hoh River Trail and make it a half to full day hike, or if you plan on doing an overnight backpacking trip out to the Blue Glacier. Otherwise, a couple hours (plus the additional hour of driving time up and down the access road) is all you’ll need to set aside to visit the Hoh Rainforest.
Where to Stay Near the Hoh Rainforest
Though the Hoh Rainforest lies at the end of a pretty long access road from WA-101, there are luckily a few places to stay within reasonable driving distance.
The town of Forks is about an hour away from the Hoh Rainforest, and makes a good base for exploring not only the Hoh Rainforest, but also the Pacific Coast beaches near Mora and La Push, as well as Lake Crescent, as it sits pretty central to all these places.
Port Angeles sits on the northern end of the Olympic Peninsula and is often called the gateway to Olympic National Park. It’s a bit further of a drive to the Hoh Rainforest (about 2 hours), but you can make other stops along the way, such as to Lake Crescent, Sol Duc, and various beaches. Port Angeles also serves as a good base for exploring other areas of Olympic National Park, such as Hurricane Ridge.
Three lodges within Olympic National Park are about an hour and a half away from the Hoh Rainforest, and are found at Lake Crescent, Sol Duc, and Kalaloch.
Camping in the Hoh Rainforest
If you want first dibs at the hikes in the Hoh Rainforest to avoid the crowds and entrance lines, the absolute best place to stay is right in the Hoh Rainforest Campground! This large campground is right at the end of the access road near the visitor center and trailheads and is open year-round. You can reserve sites in advance (some sites can be reserved 6 months ahead, others two weeks ahead, and others 4 days ahead) between mid-May to mid-September on recreation.gov. Sites cost $24 per night, a small price to pay to camp among the mossy trees alongside the Hoh River!
Other nearby Olympic National Park campgrounds include Mora and Kalaloch Campgrounds along the coastline, each about an hour or so away. Fairholme Campround is located at Lake Crescent and is about an hour and half away from the Hoh Rainforest.
In reality, there are tons of places to stay around the Olympic Peninsula, and it really all depends on where you want to focus your time and how many days you have in the park. Be sure to check out our Olympic National Park Guide (coming soon!) to learn more about where to stay and how to best plan your time.
Is the Hoh Rainforest Worth It?
The Hoh Rainforest is a popular place, and it can take a bit of time to get to…so, is it worth a visit?
Here was our honest first impression of the Hoh Rainforest: It was overrated (cue those gasps!).
I know, I know…probably not what you were expecting to read. And to be honest, our opinion probably isn’t common. But for us, our visit to the Hoh Rainforest was kind of underwhelming. I’m not sure if it was because we had higher expectations for the degree and number of those giant moss-draped trees that seem to be in every picture you see of the rainforest and of Olympic National Park, but they really are only in a few spots along the trails (they don’t make up the entirety of the forest like you might imagine based on pictures you see!).
Most of the trails of the Hoh Rainforest aren’t lined with those famous giant mossy trees, but it’s still pretty none-the-less!
But seeing those big mossy trees of the Hoh Rainforest is worth it!
Also, the Hoh Rainforest was actually one of our last stops during our week-long trip around the Olympic Peninsula, so by that time, we had already gotten a good glimpse into the surrounding forests on the peninsula, which, for the most part, look pretty similar to a lot of what you’ll see in the Hoh (something we weren’t expecting!). The forests around Lake Crescent, Sol Duc, and even just in some of the campsites we stayed at, introduced us to that lush and mossy forest look and were super cool to see. So by the time we got to the Hoh Rainforest, even though the Hoh has those massive giant fairytale-like moss-draped trees that seem to be unique to only this part of the park, the “wow-factor” might have been a bit dampened. I think that if we made the Hoh Rainforest one of our first stops in Olympic National Park (i.e., went clockwise around the peninsula instead of counterclockwise!), our initial impression would have been much better because it would be the first time looking at this type of environment.
That said, we do think the Hoh Rainforest is worth a stop while in Olympic National Park, of course! It will only take a few hours of your day to drive in and walk a short trail or two, and you’ll get to experience a very unique place in the U.S. Though the big famous mossy trees aren’t everywhere, they are still super cool when you do see them and worth the trip. I think it’s definitely worth it to time your visit to avoid the crowds like we mentioned above (so either early morning, evening, or off-season) to get a better experience, and since you made the effort to get all the way out there, I’d definitely recommend doing other trails besides the Hall of Mosses to get the full experience, experience quieter trails, and make the drive all the way out there 1,000% worth it.
Tips for Visiting the Hoh Rainforest
Here are some final tips that we have for visiting the Hoh Rainforest in Olympic National Park.
Is there a fee to visit the Hoh Rainforest?
You’ll need an Olympic National Park pass to enter through the Hoh Rainforest entrance gate. This can be purchased right at the gate, any other park gate, or online. It costs $30 per car and is good for 7 consecutive days in the park. You can also consider buying the Annual America the Beautiful Park Pass, which is good for a year and gets you into all National Parks! If you plan on visiting nearby places like Mount Rainier National Park or Mount Baker, this pass quickly pays for itself.
Other than that, there are no special fees, permits, or reservations to visit the Hoh Rainforest (unless you plan on camping at the Hoh Rainforest Campground or plan on backpacking along the Hoh River Trail).
Get an early start
As we mentioned before, it’s highly recommended you get an early start to the Hoh Rainforest if visiting in the summer. Make it your first stop of the day to avoid lines and crowds and to catch that magical early morning light. Once there, we recommend starting on the Hall of Mosses Trail, since this is the most popular trail in the Hoh Rainforest and you can experience it before the crowds start trickling in for the day (we couldn’t imagine having to experience this magical place in a crowd of people!). Save the Spruce Nature Trail and/or the Hoh River Trail for later, as these don’t typically see too many people even later in the day.
Early morning light on the way into the Hoh Rainforest!
Pack everything in (and out!)
There is no food or restaurants in the Hoh Rainforest, so make sure you pack in your food, snacks, and water for the day!
Wildlife in the Hoh Rainforest
The Hoh Rainforest has lots of wildlife, like elk, deer, otters, birds, and little guys like snails and slugs. Black bears are also common throughout Olympic National Park, and when we visited the Hoh Rainforest, there were signs posted indicating recently aggressive elk and frequent bear sightings, so make sure you are bear aware and practice strict leave no trace principles to avoid any unwanted encounters and to avoid unintentionally harming any wildlife.
We didn’t see much in terms of wildlife in the Hoh Rainforest other than these (very large!) invasive European slugs along the trails.
You’ll probably see these giant slugs along the trails of the Hoh Rainforest!
Things to Do Near the Hoh Rainforest in Olympic National Park
Looking for more things to do after or before your visit to the Hoh Rainforest? Luckily, the Olympic Peninsula has plenty of things to do! Check out our other Olympic National Park guides for tons more ideas, info, and planning tips!
Best Things to Do in Olympic National Park + Complete Guide (coming soon!)
Olympic National Park Itinerary For 1 to 5 Days (coming soon!)
Visiting Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National Park + Things to Do
How to Drive Obstruction Point Road in Olympic National Park
More Washington Travel Guides
Heading out on a Washington road trip? Check out all our Washington guides to learn more about other amazing parks and forests that you can visit on your trip!
MOUNT RAINIER: Check out our Mount Rainier itinerary and our guide to our favorite Mt. Rainier hikes!
NORTH CASCADES NATIONAL PARK: Learn about our favorite North Cascades hike to the Hidden Lake Lookout.
MOUNT BAKER: Check out the best hikes near Mount Baker in Northern Washington!
Are you planning a visit to the Hoh Rainforest in Olympic National Park? Let us know your questions in the comments below and come back to tell us how it went! Happy travels!