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Forest · Port Angeles, Washington State
Hoh Rain Forest
Temperate rainforest in the Hoh River valley on the west side of Olympic National Park, with firs and maples covered in moss. The Hall of Mosses and Spruce Nature Trail depart from the visitor center.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Hoh Rain Forest
The Hoh Rain Forest covers the Hoh River valley, which rises in the glaciers of Mount Olympus and flows to the Pacific. It is one of the best-known temperate rainforests in the United States: moist ocean air rises over the mountains and drops between 3 and 4 meters of rain per year there.
The dominant trees are Sitka spruce and western hemlock, which exceed 60 meters in height. Maples are draped in moss and ferns that grow on the branches, and fallen logs act as nurseries for new seedlings that often grow in a row along the trunk. Roosevelt elk commonly move through the valley.
Two short trails start at the visitor center. The Hall of Mosses, 1.3 km long, passes through a maple grove hung with curtains of moss. The Spruce Nature Trail, about 1.9 km, descends to the riverbank. For those wanting a longer outing, the Hoh River Trail follows the valley for many kilometers, approaching the glaciers.
The valley is on the park’s west side, far from the other sectors. For that reason many visitors stay in Forks or on the coast and combine Hoh with Pacific coast sites like Rialto Beach and Ruby Beach, less than an hour away.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
Two to three hours to do the two short trails and visit the visitor center, plus about two hours of driving from Port Angeles each way.
Best time
Accessible year-round; rain is part of the landscape, and the moss is greener in autumn and spring. In summer there can be long car queues at the valley entrance: arrive early in the morning.
How to get there
From Port Angeles take US 101 past Forks and then Upper Hoh Road about 28 km to the end — roughly 145 km and two and a half hours of driving in total. Park entrance fees apply and a vehicle pass is available; check the park website.
Tip
Bring a rain jacket and footwear that can get wet. Combine the visit with Forks and the Pacific beaches, which are less than an hour away by car.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Hoh Rain Forest
How do you get to the Hoh Rain Forest?
By car: take US 101 past Forks and turn onto Upper Hoh Road to the visitor center. From Port Angeles it’s about two and a half hours.
Which trail to do in the Hoh Rain Forest?
The Hall of Mosses, 1.3 km among maples covered in moss, and the Spruce Nature Trail, about 1.9 km that descends to the river.
Does it always rain in the Hoh Rain Forest?
It rains a lot — between 3 and 4 meters per year, especially from October to April. Summers are usually drier.