The Hoh Rain Forest, pronounced “Hoe,” takes its name from the Hoh River, which flows west from Mount Olympus through the valley to the Pacific Coast. The origin of the name itself is disputed. One theory traces it to the Quileute word “Ohalet,” meaning “rapid flowing water” or “snow water” — fitting, given that the river is fed by glacial runoff. Another suggests it derives from a Quinault word meaning “border,” with the wide river forming a natural barrier across the landscape. The true etymology has been lost to time.
Whatever its name means, the Hoh Rain Forest is one of the finest remaining examples of temperate rainforest in the United States — and one of the most visited sections of Olympic National Park. Here’s what you need to know before you go, including the three best hikes.
What to Expect at the Hoh Rain Forest
The Hoh Rain Forest sits on the western side of Olympic National Park on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula. It receives an average of 140 to 170 inches of precipitation per year — making it the wettest forest in the contiguous United States — with the heaviest rains falling between October and April. The result is a dense, perpetually green ecosystem draped in mosses, ferns, and old-growth conifers. Sitka spruce and western hemlock dominate the canopy, with some trees reaching over 300 feet in height. Nurse logs, fallen giants carpeted in new seedlings, line the forest floor.
Wildlife is abundant here. The Hoh is home to the largest wild population of Roosevelt elk in the United States, and black bears, river otters, and black-tailed deer are also regular sightings. The Hoh is part of a stretch of Pacific Northwest temperate rainforest that once extended from southeastern Alaska to the central coast of California — and it’s one of the most intact sections that remains.
Olympic National Park was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981 and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1976, in part because of the Hoh.
Getting There & Visitor Center
The Hoh Rain Forest Visitor Center sits at the end of the 18-mile Upper Hoh Road, which branches off Highway 101. Approximate drive times: Port Angeles is about 2 hours away, Forks is roughly 50 minutes, Olympia is about 3.5 hours, and Seattle is approximately 4.5 hours. For most day visitors, Forks or Port Angeles makes the most practical base.
The Visitor Center provides trail condition updates, flush toilets, and a gift shop. There is no food available on-site — pack everything you need for the day. A children’s Discovery Room offers Junior Ranger and Ocean Stewards programming. The Visitor Center is generally closed from January through early March; hours can also be limited in shoulder seasons, so check the Olympic National Park website for current conditions before you go. All four main trailheads — the Hall of Mosses, Spruce Nature Trail, the paved Mini Trail, and the Hoh River Trail — depart from the Visitor Center area.
Note: Dogs are not permitted on any of the Hoh Rain Forest trails.
The 3 Best Hikes in the Hoh Rain Forest
1. Hall of Mosses
This is the iconic Hoh experience — and it absolutely lives up to the reputation. The Hall of Mosses is a roughly 0.8-mile loop (some sources measure it slightly longer depending on route) with an elevation gain of around 100 feet. It is rated easy and is suitable for all fitness levels and ages.
The trail winds through a cathedral of old-growth bigleaf maple and Sitka spruce trees draped so heavily in hanging moss that the effect is genuinely otherworldly. The trees twist and bend into natural sculptures, and mosses cover virtually every surface — trunks, branches, fallen logs, and the forest floor. A short bridge crosses Taft Creek early in the loop, and interpretive signs throughout help identify the species you’re seeing.
The Hall of Mosses is best experienced in or just after rain, when the colors come to life and the moss glows most vividly. Summer is the most crowded season; if you visit on a summer weekend, aim to arrive before 10am or after 5pm to avoid parking and trail congestion. A rainy weekday in fall or spring offers a quieter and arguably more authentic experience.
Trail facts: ~0.8 miles loop · ~100 ft elevation gain · Easy · Dogs not allowed
2. Spruce Nature Trail
The Spruce Nature Trail is a 1.2-mile loop with minimal elevation gain — less than 100 feet throughout. It’s another easy, family-friendly walk, though the rooted and uneven terrain makes it unsuitable for strollers; a baby carrier is strongly recommended if you’re hiking with very young children.
The trail runs close to the Hoh River for much of its length, which provides both beautiful scenery and good opportunities for wildlife sightings. The river draws elk and deer to its banks, and the combination of riparian and forest habitat makes this one of the better trails for spotting the Hoh’s Roosevelt elk herd. The massive trees here — some with trunk diameters of several feet — let shafts of light filter through the canopy in striking ways on partly cloudy days.
Combining the Spruce Nature Trail and the Hall of Mosses makes for a satisfying half-day that covers roughly two miles total — a perfect introduction to the Hoh for first-time visitors or families.
Trail facts: 1.2 miles loop · <100 ft elevation gain · Easy · Not stroller-friendly · Dogs not allowed
3. Hoh River Trail
The Hoh River Trail runs approximately 17.4–17.6 miles one-way from the Visitor Center to Glacier Meadows at the base of Mount Olympus, with a total elevation gain of 3,700 feet. It is one of the classic backpacking routes in Olympic National Park, ending near the Blue Glacier — the largest glacier in the park — on the slopes of the highest peak in the Olympic Mountains.
The trail is essentially flat for the first 12 to 13 miles, threading through old-growth forest with the glacially fed, milky-blue Hoh River appearing and disappearing through the trees. This section is accessible as a day hike to any turnaround point you choose. Popular day hike destinations include the river spur at about mile 1, Five Mile Island at mile 5.1 (with just 200 feet of elevation gain), and the Happy Four Shelter at mile 5.8. Families with young children can hike an easy mile or two out and back without difficulty.
Past roughly mile 12.5, the trail begins climbing seriously, gaining most of its 3,700 feet of elevation over the final five miles to Glacier Meadows at 4,300 feet. Overnight trips to Glacier Meadows and the Blue Glacier require a wilderness permit (available at the Visitor Center), and backcountry campsites must be reserved in advance during peak season through Recreation.gov.
Trail facts: ~17.4–17.6 miles one-way to Glacier Meadows · 3,700 ft total elevation gain · Moderate–Strenuous · Multiple day-hike turnaround points · Overnight permit required for camping · Dogs not allowed
Practical Tips for Your Hoh Rain Forest Visit
Pack layers and rain gear no matter what season you visit — even summer days can be cool and damp. The Hoh receives the majority of its rain between October and April, but drizzle is possible year-round. Rain is not a reason to stay home; walking through the Hoh in a light rain is one of the most atmospheric experiences the Olympic Peninsula has to offer, and the forest looks its best when wet.
An Olympic National Park entrance fee applies; a current America the Beautiful National Parks Pass covers it. There is no food, gas, or cell service near the Visitor Center, so plan accordingly. The parking lot fills early on summer weekends — arrive by 9am if possible, or consider a weekday visit. Bears are present in the area; store food in your vehicle, not at a picnic table.
The best overall strategy for first-time visitors: hike the Hall of Mosses first, then combine it with the Spruce Nature Trail. If time and energy allow, continue onto the Hoh River Trail for a mile or two to experience the deeper old-growth forest away from the Visitor Center crowds.
Have you hiked the Hoh Rain Forest? Share your experience in the comments below.
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