The Hoh Rainforest in Olympic National Park, Washington is a wet temperate rainforest. With up to 12 feet of annual rain, you should plan on it being raining during your visit.
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Hoh Rainforest - Olympic National Park
Visiting the Hoh Rainforest is a total Pacific Northwest Bucket List travel moment! You can see Banana Slugs, Roosevelt Elk, Sitka Spruce, Western Hemlock Trees, and more in this old-growth forest.
The Hall of Mosses Trail is incredibly popular so you will want to plan to arrive early in the day to get parking.
If you are visiting in the middle of the summer don't be surprised if it is hot and humid while exploring the Hoh. We have visited in July when it is 88 degrees outside and so dang hot it is hard to enjoy your time in the park.
We do suggest always being prepared with bug spray!
We try to pre-spray our clothes and gear with permethrin spray so we know we have bug spray all the time. It can get really buggy as you are exploring the temperate rainforest. The sitting water from all the rain leads to mosquitoes.
Hoh Rain Forest Visitor Center
The visitor center is open daily during the summer, closed January through early March, and generally open Friday through Sunday during the spring and fall seasons (hours may vary according to season).
Interpretive exhibits, educational sales items, wilderness camping permits.
No food or gas.
A Wheelchair is available for checkout from the visitor center.
Hoh Rainforest Weather
The majority of the average 140 inches of rain that fall in the rainforest happens during the winter.
That being said it can rain any day of the year. It is well worth being prepared with layers of clothing.
We have visited and experienced the high 80s one day and then cool and rainy the next day.
Hoh Rainforest Camping
There is one campground in the Hoh Rainforest region of Olympic National Park. The campground has 3 loops and a total of 88 sites (one accessible).
Each campsite has a fire pit with grates, picnic table, potable water, accessible restrooms, animal-proof food storage lockers are available in the area.
RV dump station is available for a fee.
The campground is open year-round.
Hoh Rainforest Lodging
There is no lodging within the rainforest area but there are great options just down the road.
Kalaloch Lodge is located about an hour from the Hoh and offers beachside lodging and cabins.
Lake Crescent Lodge is approximately 90 minutes from the rainforest and is located right on gorgeous Lake Crescent.
Lake Quinault Lodge is a little over 90 minutes south of the rainforest on Lake Quinault.
Log Cabin Resort is approximately an hour and 45 minutes away on the shores of Lake Crescent.
Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort is approximately an hour and 45 minutes away next to Sol Duc Hot Springs.
Hoh Rainforest Hiking Trails
Mini-trail
Distance - 0.1 mile
Elevation Gain - Flat, paved, accessible-with-assistance loop in an old-growth rain forest.
Hall of Mosses
Distance - 0.8-mile loop
Elevation Gain - 100-foot elevation gain.
Spruce Nature Trail
Distance - 1.2-mile loop
Elevation Gain - Less than 100-foot elevation gain.
South Snider-Jackson
(Starts just west of entrance station):
Distance -11.8 miles
Elevation Gain - Ascending 2,700 feet before descending again to the Bogachiel River.
River crossings can be hazardous after heavy rain and snowmelt.
Hoh River Trail
Distance - 17.3 mile
Elevation Gain - For the whole route, elevation gain is 3,700 feet.
Day hikers can walk part of the 17.3-mile route to Glacier Meadows, on the shoulder of Mount Olympus.
An additional 700-foot climb in 0.9 miles leads to views of the Blue Glacier.
Backpackers must obtain a wilderness camping permit. Climbing Mount Olympus requires glacier travel skills and equipment.
Hoh Rainforest Map
Hoh Rainforest Facts
The Hoh Rain Forest gets as much as 14 feet of rain a year
The Hoh Rain Forest is one of four rain forests on the Olympic Peninsula.
It has been designated a World Heritage Site and a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO
Some of the trees that live here are over 1000 years old.
The most common types of trees that grow in the Hoh Rain Forest are Sitka Spruce, Western Red Cedar, Douglas Fir, and Western Hemlock (Washington's official state tree), which can reach over 300 feet high and seven feet in diameter.
Over 130 species of mosses, lichens, and ferns can be found here
Distance to other Olympic National Park Destinations
One thing to know about traveling within Olympic National Park is many destinations are a fair distance away from each other. This is not a park you are going to see everything in one or two days.
It can take a lot longer than you expect to reach many destinations within the park. Plan extra time for driving!
Hoh Rainforest to -
Crescent Lake -Storm King Ranger Station - 65 miles, 1 hour and 45 minutes
Sol Duc - 72 miles, 2 hours and 30 minutes
Kalaloch - 40 miles, 1 hour
Hurricane Ridge - 83 miles, 2 hours
Mora - 47 miles, 1 hour and 30 minutes
Lake Ozette - 85 miles, 2 hours and 20 minutes
Quinault Rain Forest - 70 miles, 1 hour and 45 minutes
Staircase Ranger Station - 191 miles, 4 hours and 15 minutes
Seattle to Hoh Rainforest
You can expect the drive from Seattle to the Hoh Rainforest to take a minimum of 4 hours and 30 minutes not counting stops. It really depends on if you take the ferry from Seattle or drive south via I-5.
Both of these routes are amazing and provide great scenery.
It is worth noting that just doing a day trip to the Hoh and other parts of the park is not easy and will mean a really LONG DAY! It is better to plan to stay at one of the amazing Olympic National Park lodges or campgrounds for a night or two.
Forks - Under 1-hour drive
Port Angeles - 2-hour drive
Rules/Regulations
Pets are not allowed on trails in the Hoh Rain Forest.
Additional Olympic National Park Information & Resources
Where to stay when visiting Olympic National Park
Olympic National Park Lodging
There are multiple National Park Lodges within the park. Deciding on which lodge to stay in will largely depend on what part of the park you plan to explore because it certainly is one of those National Parks that you'll visit multiple times and still have something new to see (like we do!)
🏨Ready to Book the Kalaloch Lodge -> Click Here
- Season: Year-round
- Location: Along Highway 101 on the Pacific Ocean
The Kalaloch Lodge is a perfect place to stay while exploring the Olympic Peninsula and was indeed one of our favorite National Park Lodges we've ever stayed at. With well-equipped rooms and unbeatable views of Kalaloch Beach, you're sure to fall in love with this lodge.
🏨Ready to Book Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort -> Click Here
- Season: Mid-April to the end of October
- Location: Right by the Sol Duc Hot Springs
The Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort is a rustic, serene property located by the hot springs. With a reservation at this resort, you'll also get access to swim in the hot springs, which was undoubtedly the highlight of our stay there. The property's prime location in the forested region also gives you easy access to the nearby trails, the Sol Duc Falls, River, and Valley.
🏨Ready to Book the Lake Crescent Lodge -> Click Here
- Season: May to January
- Location: Beside Lake Crescent, approximately 30 minutes from Port Angeles, Washington
The Lake Crescent Lodge boasts phenomenal views of Lake Crescent and offers a variety of accommodating options like cottages, lodge rooms, single tavern cottages, and more for you to choose from. If you end up deciding on a cottage (like we did), you'll get a chance to catch the gorgeous sunsets over the lake from your front porch. You can also rent kayaks from the property to go kayaking on the lake.
Lodging near Olympic NP
Olympic NP borders multiple gateway communities including Port Angeles, Sequim, Port Townsend, La Push, Olympia, Forks, and Shelton.
🏨Ready to Book the Lake Quinault Lodge -> Click Here
At Lake Quinault Lodge, you can look forward to golfing on site, a terrace, and shopping on site. For some rest and relaxation, visit the sauna. The onsite family restaurant, Roosevelt Room, features American cuisine. In addition to a firepit and mini golf, guests can connect to free in-room Wi-Fi.
Perch Small - Treehouse - Eagles Perch Over The Water
🏨Ready to Book Perch Small- Treehouse - Eagles Perch Over The Water -> Click Here
Stunning Tree house looking over the Strait of Juan De Fuca is a total North-West Washington experience. It is made of cedar with rustic touches. Once you are inside you will never want to leave as the floor to ceiling window looks onto the straight and with constant moving landscape of cruise ships, wildlife, and bald eagles soaring across your window.
Red Lion Hotel Port Angeles Harbor
🏨Ready to Book the Red Lion Hotel Port Angeles Harbor -> Click Here
Take advantage of dry cleaning/laundry services, a fireplace in the lobby, and a bar at Red Lion Hotel Port Angeles Harbor. This hotel is a great place to bask in the sun with a beachfront location. Be sure to enjoy a meal at 48° North, the onsite restaurant. Free in-room Wi-Fi is available to all guests, along with a gym and a business center.
Click on the map below to see additional hotel and vacation rental rates in the area.
Olympic National Park Guided Tours
Hoh Rain Forest and Rialto Beach Guided Tour in Olympic National Park
⭐️ Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 9 hours | 🚌Check Rates and Availability
The ancient forests, mountains, and rugged beaches of the Olympic National Park provide some spectacular hiking opportunities. On this tour, visit two of the most stunning natural spots - Hoh Rainforest and Rialto Beach - and enjoy short hikes at both destinations. With round-trip transportation, National Park fees included, and an optional packed lunch, everything is taken care of, so you can focus on admiring the views.
Best of Olympic National Park from Seattle: All-Inclusive Small-Group Day Tour
⭐️ Rating: 4.9 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 12 hours | 🚌Check Rates and Availability
Have a special chance to explore Olympic National Park with a naturalist guide - and make your sightseeing logistics smooth and hassle-free on this small group tour from Seattle. With round-trip transit from your downtown hotel, getting to the UNESCO-listed park is made simple. From beaches to mountains to forests and beyond, experience the best of this spectacular landscape, seeing and doing more with your guide than you could alone.
Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour in Olympic National Park
⭐️ Rating: 4.4 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 8 hours to 1 day | 🔊Check Rates and Availability
Download this audio tour and you'll discover more on your Olympic National Park road trip. Hear fascinating behind-the-scenes stories, local tips, and directions play automatically, all based on your location.
You'll be guided to all of the park's famous highlights as well as the lesser-known gems, including the most easily accessed mountain area in the park with superb views and hiking trails, a unique temperate rainforest where you can walk amongst the giant trees, and incredible beaches rich with tidepools.
Olympic National Park Entrance Fee
Park entrance fees are separate from camping and lodging fees.
Park Entrance Pass - $30.00 Per private vehicle (valid for 1-7 days from the date of purchase)
Park Entrance Pass - Motorcycle - $25.00 Per motorcycle (valid for 1-7 days from the date of purchase)
Per-Person Entrance Pass - $15.00 Visitors 16 years or older who enter on foot, bicycle, or as part of an organized group not involved in a commercial tour.
Annual Park Entrance Pass - $55.00, Admits pass holder and all passengers in a non-commercial vehicle. Valid for one year from the month of purchase.
$75.00 for Commercial Van with 7-15 seats
$100.00 for Commercial Mini-Bus with 16-25 seats
$200.00 for Commercial Motor Coach with 26+ seats
Learn more about National Park Passes for parks that have an entrance fee.
$80.00 - For the America the Beautiful/National Park Pass. The pass covers entrance fees to all US National Park Sites and over 2,000 Federal Recreation Fee Sites for an entire year and covers everyone in the car for per-vehicle sites and up to 4 adults for per-person sites.
Buy your pass at this link, and REI will donate 10% of pass proceeds to the National Forest Foundation, National Park Foundation, and the U.S. Endowment for Forestry & Communities.
National Park Free Entrance Days -Mark your calendars with the five free entrance days the National Park Service offers annually.
Additional Olympic NP Resources
Check out all of the Olympic National Park Camping options. There are 14 campgrounds within the park
Olympic National Park Lodging - Check out our complete guide of all the places to stay within the park
Things to do in Olympic NP - Find out all of the top things to do in this great park.
Free National Park Days - Check out the 5 days a year the National Park Service waives entrance fees.
Most visited National Parks - Check out all of the top-visited parks in the United States
Moon Olympic Peninsula Guide Book
Olympic National Park trails map
Check out all of the National Parks in Washington along with neighboring National Parks in Idaho, National Parks in Oregon, Hawaii National Parks, and Alaska National Parks
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