Everything You Need To Know About Visiting The Strange Hoh Rainforest

The Hoh Rainforest in Olympic National Park is one of the greenest, mossiest forests we have ever seen! It looks as though it came straight out of the “Upside Down” from the show, Stranger Things! Believe us when we say “YOU ARE NOT GOING TO WANT TO MISS IT!”

Visiting the Hoh Rainforest rainforest is one of the most popular things to do in Olympic National Park in Washington State. You might have heard of the famous Hall of Mosses trail which is one of the most famous short hiking trails in the Hoh Rainforest and in my opinion, the best trail in the Hoh Rainforest.

As well as hiking, you can also camp in the Hoh Rainforest. This guide provides details on the different trails there are to choose from in the forest, where to find camping and accommodation options and also lists some other must-see places in Olympic National Park.

🌲 If you are planning on visiting the Hoh Rainforest, make sure you don’t miss out on these beautiful beaches nearby!

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Everything You Need to Know About Visiting The Hoh Rainforest

🙋‍♀️ A Few Facts About the Hoh Rainforest

• The Hoh Rainforest is classified as a World Heritage Site and a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO.
• The rainforest is one of the largest temperate rainforests in the USA and is made up of miles of low elevation forest along the Hoh River. 
• The Hoh Rain Forest receives over 12 feet (3.6 metres) of rain a year!
• Dogs are not allowed in the Hoh Rainforest. For a full list of which areas dogs are and are not allowed in in Olympic National Park, visit The National Park Service Website.
• There are toilets located right next to the Hoh Rainforest visitors centre.

🌲 What is a Temperate Rainforest?

You may be asking yourself, what the heck is a “temperate rainforest.” Don’t feel bad for not knowing because before visiting the Hoh, I didn’t know either. A temperate rainforest is a forest or woodland area that is located in an area that is usually quite mild (not too hot/not too cold) in temperature and that also receives heavy rainfall. These types of forests also get a lot of mist. Compared to tropical rainforests, temperate rainforests decompose slowly, which gives them a rich soil.

❓ Why is it called the “Hoh” Rainforest

The “Hoh Rainforest” is named after the Hoh River which is an epic river that flows from Mount Olympus to the Pacific Coast. The word “Hoh” comes from the Quinault language name for the river, Hoxw.

📍 Where is the Hoh Rainforest

The Hoh Rainforest is located on the Olympic Peninsula in Western Washington State in the USA. It is approximately a 4 hour drive from Seattle to the Hoh Rainforest. There are two different driving routes, one which includes a ferry where booking information and ferry times can be found here.

Click here to open the map in Google Maps!

Don’t feel like renting a car? Make your trip easier by joining this 1 Day Hoh Rainforest and Rialto Beach tour or this 3 Days in Olympic National Park from Seattle Tour.

😉 Why Would I Visit the Hoh Rainforest?

The Hoh Rainforest is unique. I don’t think we have ever seen a more green, mossy or lush rainforest in our lives. It looks like it could have come out of a “Stranger Things” episode.

The Hoh is such an incredible forest to see, not to mention the hundreds of awesome photo opportunities in there. We had a blast taking photos and videos together amongst the mossy trees.

🎫 Do I Need a National Parks Pass for the Hoh Rainforest?

The Hoh Rainforest is located in Olympic National Park so you will need a National Parks Pass. You can purchase an America the Beautiful pass which covers loads of national parks in the USA for a year or you can get a national parks day pass at the gates to the Hoh.

Where to Stay

When we visited the Hoh on our Olympic National Park road trip, we were mostly camping, but spent a couple of nights at the Three Rivers Resort after our car broke down and we had to stay an extra 2 nights while we waited for the mechanic to open. Luckily, the owners at the Three Rivers took care of us and we survived and had a great time.

Kalaloch Lodge

The Kalaloch Lodge is a bit more of a luxury option. It is located right on the beach front and is super close to the Hoh Rainforest. It also has a nice restaurant which is convenient. I think if we were going back to this area, we might splurge a little and stay here.

Hoh Campground

The Hoh Campground is right next to the Hoh River in the forest. This campsite is only a few hundred metres away from the Hoh River Visitors Centre. Book your spot in the Hoh Campground here.

Forks and the Twilight Movie

Forks is the closest actual town to the Hoh Rainforest and is approximately a 20 minute drive away.

If you have heard of the little town of Forks, it is probably because you have read Stephanie Meyer’s Twilight books. You could even join a tour like this one, to visit all of the location in Olympic National Park that are inspired by the books!

If you want a larger choice of accommodation options or just prefer staying in a town, Forks is a great choice! A list of some good options in Forks is below:

• Hoh Valley Cabins – Cute cabins with BBQs and desks!
• Bogi Bear Inn – for the rustic cabin experience

📆 When is the best time to visit the Hoh Rainforest

You might be surprised to hear that the best time to visit the Hoh is after it has rained. This is so that the forest is at it’s lushest, mossiest and greenest. The best times of the year for this are Winter or Spring.

If you are also planning to explore the rest of Olympic National Park however, depending on what you want to do, you might want to consider visiting in late Spring so that you can do some hiking and perhaps even visit Hurricane Ridge.

👉 Are you planning a trip to Olympic National Park? Make sure you read our itineraries to make sure you don’t miss anything:
🌲 The Ultimate Olympic National Park Itinerary: 4 Days
☀ How to Spend 1 Day Visiting Cape Flattery
🥾 What to do in Olympic National Park in 1 Day
⛺ Amazing 2 Day Olympic National Park Itinerary

❄ Visiting the Hoh Rainforest in Winter

You can visit the Hoh Rainforest during the Winter but make sure you check that all the roads are open and the weather is safe to travel in. Winter is the wet season in the Hoh and the rain makes everything mossier and more vibrant, making Winter the perfect season to visit!

🦉 Wildlife in the Hoh Rainforest

The Hoh is home to wildlife such as the northern spotted owl, the bobcat, cougars, racoons, black bears and elk. If you are travelling outside of Winter, make sure you carry bear spray with you at all times.

🥾 Trails in the Hoh Rainforest

There are a three main trails that you can do while visiting the Hoh Rainforest. All three start from the Hoh Rainforest Visitors Centre. The are also toilets available next to the visitors centre. The most famous Hoh Rainforest trail you might have heard of through social media is called the Hall of Mosses.

Hall of Mosses

Distance: 1.2km
Elevation: 150 metres

The Hall of Mosses is the shortest trail. It is only a 1.2km loop, however might take you longer than you think if you spend as much time as us taking photos and marvelling at how crazy the trees looked! You will be completely blown away by the amount of moss in this forest and on this trail! The name “Hall of Mosses” is very fitting. The Hall of Mosses trail is easy and is great for the whole family.

📌 Book an Olympic National Park Tour on Viator

Spruce Nature Trail

Distance: 1.9km
Elevation: 20 metres

The Spruce Nature is 1.9km loop and a little more open that the Hall of Mosses and actually runs along the Hoh River for a bit. This trail has some really fantastic trees that are growing over the top of fallen down trees! A truly incredible site to see!

Hoh River Trail

Distance: up to 32km one way
Elevation: 1646 metres

The Hoh River Trail is a hike that ends at a view overlooking the Blue Glacier on Mount Olympus. This is a hike that can be done as a multi day backpacking trip as there are campsites along the way. Permits for these campgrounds need to be reserve prior.

For more information on how and where to book a Wilderness Camping Permit, check out the National Park Service Website. Alternatively, you can choose to just do some of the hike and return the same day.

The hike begins in the beautiful mossy forest. As you walk further, you will notice the surroundings change to a more dry forest, then meadows and finally into the mountains. This hike is no joke and definitely one that you will need to plan and train a bit for as the elevation and distance make it quite hard.

Choosing between the Spruce Nature Trail or Hall of Mosses

If you are short on time and only have time for one trail in the Hoh Rainforest, you will most likely be trying to decide between the Spruce Nature Trail and the Hall of Mosses.

If you are visiting the Hoh Rainforest, you should definitely check out some of the other beautiful places in Olympic National Park!

The Hoh Rainforest is located on the Olympic Peninsula near the coast. This means that there are lots of stunning Olympic Peninsula beaches nearby waiting for you to explore!

Kalaloch Beach

Kalaloch Beach is approximately a 20 minute drive from the Hoh Rainforest and is home to the infamous Tree of Life. The Tree of Life is a Sitka spruce, the largest type of spruce tree.

The tree is hanging onto the cliffs on the side of the beach, by its winding roots. The cliffs below the tree have been washed away over time by a little stream behind the tree. Every year more and more of the cliffs washes away, so it is unknown how much longer the tree will be able to hang on for. To find the Tree of Life, park in the day parking of Kalaloch campground and walk down the stairs to the beach. Then, facing the ocean, turn right and walk along for about 5 minutes. There you will find the tree and potentially a photographer or two.

Ruby Beach

Ruby Beach is a 20 minute drive from the Hoh Rainforest. This beach, like most of the beaches along the Olympic Peninsula, has a lot of driftwood across the beach. Ruby Beach also has some really stunning rock formations that make great photos! We highly recommend Ruby Beach for sunset if you have time.

Rialto Beach

Rialto Beach is around a 40 minute drive from the Hoh Rainforest. It is located near La Push which you might recognise from Stephanie Meyer’s Twilight books.

This beach is mostly pebbles and has a massive rock sticking out of the ocean which makes a really great photo. This rock however, is quite a walk up the beach. If you come out onto the beach from the carpark and turn right, you will need to walk along the beach for about 2.5km. The walk will involve a stream crossing with fairly deep water. You can either walk through it if you feel like taking off your shoes, or you can cross via the driftwood which is what we did.

The Hole in the Wall

The Hole in the Wall is another must see spot if you are already visiting Rialto Beach. Once you reach the classic Rialto Beach rock, if you walk past it, you will see a large grassy mound with steep stairs leading you up to a viewpoint. Be extra careful here as the ridgeline is quite narrow. Then, if you walk around to the right, it will take you down to the next beach over. This beach has another cool rock formation called the Hole in the Wall. This rock is literally a “hole in the wall” going into the water.

Second Beach

Not too far away from Rialto Beach, Second Beach is approximately a 35 minute drive from the Hoh Rainforest. Once you have parked, it is a 15-20 minute walk from the carpark to the beach. The walk takes you through a beautiful forest and eventually down onto the beach. Second Beach is quite a small beach but really beautiful and would be a perfect place to spend a few hours with a picnic.

Hike Mount Storm King

One of the hikes in Olympic National Park with the most beautiful view is Mount Storm King. This hike has insanely stunning views overlooking Lake Crescent but it is definitely not suitable for anyone who is afraid of heights.

👉 Your next read: How to Hike the Famous Mount Storm King Trail

Commonly Asked Questions

Is the Hoh Rainforest Worth it?

If you like moss and forests then absolutely yes! The Hoh forest is one of the mossiest places that both Dave and I have ever seen. It is also really great for photography because of the huge old growth trees covered in moss. The Hoh Rainforest is a bit of a trek if you are only looking to visit the Hoh so I recommend making your trip a weekend or longer so that you can see more of Olympic National Park.

Do you need a reservation for the Hoh?

You do not need a reservation to visit the Hoh Rainforest. You just need a national parks pass. Things that you will need a reservation for are:

• Backpacking along the Hoh River Trail
• Camping at the Hoh Rainforest Campground during peak season which is usually around late May – late September.

Are dogs allowed on the trails in the Hoh Rainforest?

Dogs are not allowed on trails in the Hoh Rainforest. For information on where your pets are allowed in Olympic National Park, have a read of this page.

Does the Hoh Rainforest get snow?

The Hoh Rainforest can occasionally get snow if the weather is cold enough. It is more likely to get snow than the coast. The amount of snow that the Hoh usually gets on average per year is 70 cm (27 in).

How big is the Hoh Rainforest?

The Hoh Rainforest is a whopping 2031 square miles and is one of the largest temperate rainforests in the USA!

How old is the Hoh Rainforest?

The Hoh Rainforest is extremely old and is made up of old growth trees. Some of these trees are over 1,000 years old! How crazy is that! 😲

Can you drive through the Hoh Rainforest?

The drive to the Hoh Rainforest Visitors Centre and parking lot is stunning. You will see the gorgeous mossy forest surrounding you as you drive down the road. However, the best way to see the Hoh is by doing one of the short trials such as the Hall of Mosses.

Our Thoughts

We loved how crazy looking the Hoh Rainforest was and gained a new appreciation for moss! The Hoh Rainforest is definitely a spot to add to your Olympic National Park bucket list. We spent a long weekend in Olympic National Park and felt a little bit rushed. We think that 4 or 5 days or even longer would be perfect to see park.

You might also enjoy:

• The Best Beaches in Olympic National Park
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• 40 Amazing Hiking Gifts for Her

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