The Hoh Rain Forest is the green, dripping heart of Olympic National Park and one of the few temperate rain forests in North America. Sitka spruce and western hemlock grow more than 200 feet tall here, every branch draped in club moss and licorice fern. With roughly 12 to 14 feet of rain a year, the forest stays luminous and soft underfoot, and the hiking ranges from a 15-minute stroll to a multi-day backpacking trek toward Mount Olympus.
How to get to the Hoh Rain Forest
The Hoh is reached by the Upper Hoh Road, which leaves Highway 101 about 13 miles south of Forks. From the turnoff it is roughly 18 miles of paved two-lane road to the Hoh Rain Forest Visitor Center, where all the main trails begin. There is no gas, food, or cell service past the highway, so fill up in Forks first. In summer the small parking lot fills by mid-morning and rangers sometimes hold cars at the entrance, so arrive before 9am or after 3pm.
Hall of Mosses Trail
The Hall of Mosses is the classic Hoh hike and the one most visitors come for. It is a 0.8-mile loop with only about 100 feet of elevation gain, easy enough for almost anyone. The trail climbs a short rise and then circles through a grove of bigleaf maples so heavily hung with moss that the canopy glows green even on gray days. Go early to have the maple gallery to yourself. Allow 30 to 45 minutes if you stop for photos.
Spruce Nature Trail
For a slightly longer, flatter walk, the Spruce Nature Trail is a 1.2-mile loop that drops toward the Hoh River. You pass towering Sitka spruce, nurse logs sprouting seedlings, and gravel bars where Roosevelt elk often graze at dawn and dusk. It connects directly from the visitor center and pairs well with the Hall of Mosses for a half-day in the forest.
The Hoh River Trail
Serious hikers come for the Hoh River Trail, which runs about 17.3 miles one way from the visitor center to Glacier Meadows below Mount Olympus. The first stretch is nearly flat and follows the river through old growth, making good day-hike turnarounds at:
- Mineral Creek Falls at about 2.7 miles, an easy round trip
- Five Mile Island at about 5 miles, a popular lunch spot on the gravel bar
- Olympus Guard Station near 9 miles for fit day hikers
Beyond that the trail climbs steeply to Glacier Meadows and requires a wilderness permit and bear canister for overnight trips. Permits are booked through recreation.gov and go fast for summer weekends.
When to hike the Hoh
The Hoh is open year round. July through September brings the driest, warmest weather and the most reliable river crossings, but also the biggest crowds. Spring and fall are quieter and the moss is at its most vivid after rain. Winter is wet and moody but stunning, with very few people, though the road can flood. Whatever the season, bring rain layers and waterproof footwear, because the trails are damp even when the sky is clear.
Make it part of a bigger trip
The Hoh is one of the marquee stops on a full peninsula circuit. If you want to pair the rain forest with the glaciers of Hurricane Ridge and the sea stacks of the Pacific coast, see our Olympic Peninsula Loop road trip itinerary for a 3-day plan that strings the highlights together from Seattle. The Hoh works best as a morning stop before driving south to Ruby Beach or Kalaloch for sunset.
Hoh Rain Forest Hiking Guide FAQs
The Hall of Mosses is a 0.8-mile loop with about 100 feet of gain. Most people finish it in 30 to 45 minutes, longer if you stop for photos in the moss-draped maple grove.
No permit is needed for day hikes like the Hall of Mosses, Spruce Nature Trail, or a turnaround day hike on the Hoh River Trail. Overnight trips on the Hoh River Trail require a wilderness permit and a bear canister, booked through recreation.gov.
July through September is the driest and warmest. Spring and fall are quieter with vivid moss after rain. Winter is very wet but beautiful and nearly empty, though the access road can occasionally flood.
