Hoh Rain Forest

We visited Hoh Rain Forest in the fall, and it rained while we were there. The rain made the entire experience feel even more magical. Mist lingered between the moss-covered trees, and the greens looked deeper and more vibrant because of the moisture. We walked the Hall of Mosses Trail, which was short, easy, and beginner friendly. The trail became muddy in some sections due to the rain, but it was manageable with waterproof shoes. The sound of raindrops hitting the leaves made the forest feel calm and peaceful. Helpful tips for a fall visit, especially in the rain: • Wear waterproof hiking shoes. Some areas were slippery. • Bring a proper rain jacket. • Pack extra socks. • Protect your phone or camera from moisture. • Arrive early since parking filled up quickly. • Download maps ahead of time because cell service was very limited. The rain did not take away from the experience. It made the rainforest feel more authentic and alive. Fall turned out to be a beautiful and peaceful time to visit.

Beautiful natural park that I would never have imagined being covered with so much moss in this rainforest. It was a fun hike, but beware-it's very muddy and wet, so make sure to bring waterproof shoes. A truly amazing rainforest trail. It’s full of greenery all surrounding areas!!

We went during the shutdown and during a weekday and had no problem driving right up with minimal crowds. The hikes are all extremely easy and offer varied scenery. The hall of mosses is the most famous and easiest of the hikes. While it was great, we MUCH preferred the other hike (forgot the name but it was the middle distance (1.5 miles maybe?) because it offered by far the greatest variety of scenery. It has the massive redwoods, halls of moss, Star wars endor looking sets, a river, streams, and best of all, 4 giant elk which crossed directly in front of us.

Oct 11 - Park is open but visitor center is closed. Bathrooms closed by the visitor center but open in the camping area. We really love this National Park! The rainforest is so beautiful with its layers upon layers of growth. There are three parking lots so if the main one is full check the other two. The trails are quite easy and family friendly. Lots of photo opps! Enjoy 😊

An absolutely stunning place to hike. We went in October and made sure to arrive early in the morning. There was no wait and we were able to park close to the entrance to the trails. When we left the lots were packed - so even when visiting offseason I’d recommend arriving early if possible. The area offers several hiking paths, two that are easy and loop around (Hall of Mosses and Spruce Trail), and the other a long distance hike. We hiked out on the Hoh River Trail to the first waterfall before turning back. When visiting in the morning, it’s gorgeous how the sun shines through the moss!

Very unique place, gorgeous, worth the drive. We did the Hall of Mosses trail with 2 elementary schoolers. We saw a herd of elk immediately. There are small informational plaques around the trail sharing about the different plant growth.

I was not ready for this much beauty! I am still shocked with how amazing this area was. Even driving in we had to stop and grab some pics because it's just breath taking. The actual trail looks like something out of a book and not real. We walked on of the trails, took a small break to eat in the car because it was raining, and then took off again on the same trail because we loved it so much. I have been to several different rain forests, but this one is by far the most beautiful. By far!

If you are debating coming to the rainforest, stop, debating and go to the rainforest. It is one of a kind it lies along a beautiful river that has images similar to Alaska. As far as the rainforest, it is very moist everything is wet and beautiful green. Trails are not hard, but they are filled with wildlife and flora

Nice little visitor center at the Hoh Rainforest in Olympic National Park. Smaller than the main visitor center, but still a wonderful location. Small bookstore, good information, and knowledgeable rangers. They have nice, clean bathrooms. Parking lot is right by the center and is the starting point for the main trails. No food or drinks are sold in the area, so bring it with you if you want. We stopped for coffee and breakfast to-go in Forks first. Hoh Rainforest does do metered entry, so either get here early or be aware you might have to wait to get inside. Overall, if you're going to Hoh Rainforest, you will see this visitor center. Good quick stop to get the local information.

I made a stop here before hiking the Spruce Nature Trail and the Hall of Mosses Trail. It is small, but does have a gift shop, display area, and helpful park rangers. A definite must before hiking in the Hoh Rainforest. All three major trails start off here. I also caught part of a ranger talk on the patio.

Very important! avoid 10-2pm which is super peak, the line is long and the wait time is more than 1.5 hours. You still have enough time to get around entering the park after 2pm when the traffic is light. We learned a painful lesson. It's a small visitors center. Rangers are very friendly and they are very resourceful. There are two trails behind the center, hall of mosses (0.8 miles loop) trail and Spruce nature trail (1.2 miles) due to the hot and humid weather, we just completed the shorter trail, as the ranger told us spruce trail has the river view, other than that it was similar with the hall of mosses trail.

Great visitor center. It is small, but worth a visit before hiking the trails. They have some nice information about some of the animals in the area and what trails to follow. Plus a bathroom.

The Hoh Rainforest Visitor Center is located at the Hoh Rainforest where all the trailheads are. They are only open Fridays to Sundays; however, you can still go inside and pick up a map if you need. There are easy trails to hike like the Hall of Mosses (0.8 miles) and the Spruce Trail (1.2 miles) which are adjacent to each other. If you want more strenuous hikes, there is the 5 Mile Island Trail (10.1 miles) and Hoh River Trail (18.5 miles). During busy seasons the road to the parking lot and the visitors center are packed and it could get backed up for miles so make sure to get here early to snag a parking spot.

We planned to visit the hoh rainforest today after stopping at ruby beach starting the day in Olympia. We were 5 miles from the visitors center where the sins we up on the side of the road saying the parking was full and it would be up to an hour and a half wait into the trails. This was at 10:45am. So if you go, plan to arrive very early. We turned around. It seemed unlikely we would travel 5 miles in a line of traffic in 1.5 hours- very disappointed. They should do time entry like mt rainier during busy season.

This place is amazing! I felt like I stepped onto the set for the movie Jurassic Park - it's unlike any place I've ever been to. The moss and ferns were so dense. We walked a portion of the Hoh River Trail, but I preferred the scenery on the Hall of Mosses trail.

It's is an awesome photo shoot opportunity. A must see in the park.

The sun began to shine through the tall trees as the remnants of the night's rain dripped from the canopy of branches for the next few hours. The brilliance of the orange and yellow fall colors against the green moss made this visit a magical morning. I used my phone to take videos for a close friend who wanted to see this place but couldn't join me. This became one big pleasure trip as I moved about trying to capture it all. Just when I thought it couldn't get better and was preparing to walk back to my rental car, a large elk appeared about 25 feet from me. Blissfully eating whatever elk eat, its massive horns didn't seem to get in the way. I clamped my feet into the ground and spent the next thirty minutes watching in silence. It was at this point that I vividly remembered the paper signs plastered by the visitor center. They warned that elk had recently gored a visitor or two so one should safely keep a distance. The elk chose to break that rule as it moved closer and got within ten feet of me. Fortunately, it was too hungry to pay me any mind. As it continued with its four-course breakfast, I slowly backed away and was thrilled with this amazing visit to the Hot Rain Forest.

It's small, but with the requisite field guide & souvenirs. Walked the misses hike & the Spruce hike. Saw an Owl - totally cool, and walked in the rain forest. Spent about 2 hours to get there & two hours there. The line into the Park was long (Memorial Day Weekend) but I did find a parking place. I highly recommend the $80 all Park yearly pass , otherwise it's $25 per car, and $50 for the year pass just for this park

A visit to the PNW is not complete without a visit to the Hoh Rainforest. Fill your gas tank before you leave Forks. You'll need it to make your way south on Highway 101 and then on the curvy, pothole-filled road within the park. The drive to the park entrance is quite impressive with old growth forest arching over the roadway and lichens and moss clinging to the trees. The road even meanders along the scenic Hoh River banks. Be sure to display your interagency pass on your dash. During the winter months, the ranger guard gate and visitor center are closed, so it's an on-your-honor system for getting and showing your permit. The Hall of Mosses and Spruce Trails are well marked. There are also signs with educational information about the forest along the paths. Both trails are short and easy for people of all ages and abilities. The path is somewhat muddy, but railroad ties and loose gravel have been laid to help cut down on it. Even in the rain, this is a walk worth taking. I'm so glad I spent the day here. I wish I had had more time to walk the main trail which supposedly boasts a waterfall within the first few miles. I'll have to make a point of coming back at some point to see it. During the winter, there is hardly anyone around. You are very likely to have the trail to yourself. Enjoy the peace and solitude.

This area requires entrance fees. Paid $30 good for a week at several areas. Primarily informational, very limited on souvenirs at the visitors center but other shops on your way in/out. Bathrooms were clean enough and well stocked with TP. Get here before noon on weekdays for decent parking. They have a water fountain right by the restrooms. The hikes are more limited in this area as opposed to Quinault but just as much if not more to see. Also this area is more populated but still a good idea to carry bear spray, one other visitor had seen a bear right near the beginning trail. Read the signs before entering, coyotes and elk can be aggressive as well. Spent less time here that Quinault but was not disappointed.

Such a beautiful otherworldly place to explore (coming from someone who lives in the desert!). We thoroughly enjoyed our day trip to Hoh Rain Forest and loved exploring all of the trails. If you're coming to visit from Seattle, it's a 4 hour drive so I recommend you get on the road BEFORE 6 am so you're there before the park gets packed at 10. Otherwise you'll be waiting to enter the park. With COVID precautions, once they meet their quota, they only let one car in when one car leaves.

Wow I loved this place, including the drive to it. We only spent about an hour here (we didn't have a lot of time), I would love to go back and spend more time. I would like to check out all the trails. The Hall of Mosses trail was great. It's pretty short and not a bit strenuous making it accessible for all fitness levels. It did sprinkle/mist most of the time we were waking on the trail. It was beautiful and felt a little like something out of a fairy tale. It was pretty busy with all ages wandering about and photo bombing all your photos. Definitely don't miss this if you happen to be with a radius of 60 miles or so. It's worth the drive.

I try elt enjoyed this rain forest. On our first trail we seen a large elk. She was huge! The picture doesn't do her justice because she was standing in a ditch that was up to her belly. We did several of the hikes and enjoyed them all. Best part was all hikers were very respectful and masked up when passing others.

The Hoh Rainforest is one of my favorite places on the earth (so far). The visitor center is informative to introduce newbies to the temperate rainforests scientific speak and the interpretive-guided trails (read the signs along the way) for short trails give attention and language to the value of old growth, dead and dying trees and the changes of river flow that have occurred to create several environments in the Hoh. Know that there is a $30 fee upon entering this part of the forest that allows you access over a 7-day period but isn't/shouldn't be given to others (don't share your pass). In addition to visiting the visitor center is made camp on the campgrounds in the area. This particular time there was little to no rain (unusual for a rainforest). There's running water at this campground and a good clean up of food and trash is requested as you are in nature (think Yogi the Bear). I camped near the rushing, bumbling and ever-changing Hoh River that laid at the bottom of some tree-laden hills. It was beautiful and frightening to see the rain-filled fog cross over those hills and onto the forest! The only feedback I have is I would like to see on my next visit more of the Hoh/indigenous perspective and language alongside the scientific. I believe it would add to the literacy and value of seen and unseen of this forest.

In one day we visited Marymere Falls, Rialto Beach, Hoh Rainforest and Ruby Beach. Out of the four, Marymere and Ruby Beach were my favorites. I had been dreaming of the Hoh Rainforest as the entire two-week trip out to Washington State had been planned around the Rainforest. I've watched Youtube videos, immersed myself in Yelp and Tripadvisor and anything on the web that would fuel my wanderlush for a lush, green oasis. I've seen the famous "telephone booth" covered in moss of Hoh Rainforest picture fame, but did not see it on our trip. Pay as you enter, the ranger is in the collection booth as you make your way into the park. Make sure you keep your Olympic National Parks pass as it is good for 7 days ($20) and you can also use it at any ONP park (we used ours at Hurricane Ridge the following day). I was a bit disappointed with the Hall of Mosses in the Hoh Rainforest as it was anything but lush and green. It was a bit dried up but that was because we arrived during one of the warmest months on record for Washington State, not to mention the driest, with fires sprouting up two weeks in the Northern Cascades prior to our arrival in mid July (there are still fires raging in the North Cascades). Dried green moss blew gently in the warm wind that hung off trees in sheets. The only truly green moss I saw were more at eye-level in the shadier parts of the forest. There is an arch that is frequently photographed by tourists and pros alike that shows a green cascade of moss; when we went it there was hardly any moss on it and it was totally dried up. The good things about this attraction is that it is family friendly and the trails are relatively flat on the Hall of Mosses Trail. The signage is good and the short trail is frequented by a lot of tourists and locals alike so you don't feel lost or isolated. There's a cute gift shop you can visit when you are done "hiking". There are a few picnic tables in the shade by the parking lot and you can eat some lunch (we packed our goods in a styrofoam cooler). Make sure you take beach towels to sit on as some of the benches are weathered wood and a bit uncomfortable. I am sure we visited when it was a fluke and it normally is never like this but Marymere Falls made up for this fact. It was more lush and green and mossier than the Hall of Mosses. We will visit again in the future when it is hopefully more green, lush, and mossier.

Unlike any place on earth. I drove here all the way from Spokane, and it was well worth it! This temperate rainforest contains SIX TIMES the biomass of a tropical rainforest. The main trail goes on for about 26 miles all the way to blue glacier on Mt Olympus. I only went about 4 miles, perhaps someday I can conquer treacherous Olympus. Expect to be surrounded by huge trees covered in green velvet. Think tree-beard from Lord of the Rings meets the "tree surfing" scenes from Disney's Tarzan animated flick. There isn't a whole lot of elevation change (at least not for the first 4 miles, where I was), so this trail is pretty easy...you can even bring some kiddies and/or old geezers along most likely. This IS a rainforest, so come prepared. Bring waterproof clothing unless you want to be known as the dork with the umbrella. Protip: If you don't want to camp, you can usually get hotels for pretty cheap in Forks, WA. If you're willing to drive a little bit further and do some pre-planning, look into cabins at La Push.

This is a small visitor center, but still has a little bit of everything that you would expect at a larger visitor center. Unfortunately, there is no WiFi. Outside, there are restrooms. Inside, there is a one small couch, souvenirs in one corner, informational exhibits, and of course the friendly rangers to provide you with park information. Even though I was asking the rangers questions which I found out was very obvious later on, they were all super friendly, helpful, and non-judgmental. Though this visitor is small and became quickly crowded inside (the rain probably contributed to the crowding as well), it had most things that a typical visitor would need.

The Hoh Rain Forest itself is great. The visitor center, not the same... The visitor center is small and crowded. In addition when I went to visit, the visitor center was not selling any of its products because there was some issue, and based on how things were going, this does not appear to be a sudden or rare occurrence. The parking is minuscule, this being the biggest flaw. We were driving until we hit a line. We saw a sign that read, "lot full, estimated wait time 2 hours". Very upsetting, I did in fact wait until I was let in, because I drove hours to get here. Luckily. I do not think it took the whole 2 hours, but definitely close. It seem crazy to me that they have such little parking in a park like this. There is also significant delays to even get to the line due to lots of road work, causing multiple one way roads. My visit was in late July of 2022, and hopefully these issues will be resolved soon.

This visitor center is located right in the middle of rain forest (I know the name says it all, but still wanted to mention). There is plenty of parking space, a picnic area and very generous, friendly group of Rangers. There are few quite easy hikes which starts right from the Visitor center. We did Hall of Mosses trail. I personally had never seen a rain forest before. So I felt really good. Giant, lush green, hundreds of years old 200 feet giant trees. I was quite impressed. Road to the rain forest was really pretty. Dense. We also saw a herd of elks along the way.

Our visit was mainly ruined by NPS. There was a 2 hours wait at the entrance due limits on parking spots; and NPS had decided that since they can explain the problem they don't need the solve it. So no vanpools, nothing about coming at off-peak hours, not even a mention of this anywhere on the website so people can come mentally prepared.

The Hoh Rain Forest isn't really different from most other rain-soaked, moss-covered forests in the PNW except this one is called a rain forest ... and located in Olympic National Park in the remote Olympic Peninsula. The park and rain forest contain some the biggest and oldest trees in the world as well as long nice hikes among rivers, valleys, and trees, trees, and more trees. Drive the long winding road to the center of the forest and a Visitor Center with bathrooms, maps, and a lonely park ranger. The visitor building is open March - November and only open weekends during the spring and fall. The 3/4-mile Hall of Mosses Trail (.8 miles) and 1.2-mile Spruce Nature Trail are easy hikes from the parking lot. So why is Hoh called a rain forest? Because it rains ... a lot ... especially during the winter. Rainfall ranges from 140 - 170 inches per year. If green is your favorite color and nature is your favorite mother then Hoh Rain Forest is a remote destination to see both.

Looking for a great Washington weekend getaway? This is the place to go. There is plenty of camping and other lodging nearby. It's one of the few temperate rain forests in the world. It is also the largest. There are trees in this forest that are over 300 feet tall and 23 feet around, many covered in thick moss. Many animals live here as well. Elk, spotted owls, bear, all type of exciting varieties. You can hike for hours and hours and be in awe of everything. There is a picture somewhere of me standing inside of a hollowed out dead tree. Don't worry, though, the vegetation is so thick that new trees often grow on top of the decaying ones. It's a truly fascinating ecosystem. Oh, and if you are looking for some very easy laughs, the second 'h' in Hoh is silent. That should give you plenty to work with. Hope you had a happy Earth Day!

Unique, calming, and scenic place - excellent for a short day trip! It's about two hours from Port Angeles. We came during the summer and there wasn't any rain, just some clouds. There are two main trails, Hall of Mosses and the Spruce Nature Trail (empty, very little people). We hiked the Spruce Nature Trail first and had lunch next to the Hoh River on some fallen trees, a nice and memorable experience! After lunch, we walked the Hall of Mosses, where you can spot trees and organisms that are literally covered in mosses, nice for photos. I guess for me, it was a lot more fun hiking and walking through the temperate rain forest than taking photos - everything starts looking the same (green) after a few photos... -- Be warned, Highway 101 is where the Police Academy trains their rookies - the speed limit is strictly enforced and we almost got a ticket.... we were warned by our hotel staff as well. The road PHOTOS: http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/vzbCKmEdSWNQriORDD4rIQ?select=GGlvW3sB_9BExWa54QV2zw http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/vzbCKmEdSWNQriORDD4rIQ?select=KRc623k1i1RceSJiW81N8Q http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/vzbCKmEdSWNQriORDD4rIQ?select=9NEKGKofJI4bHRfle_N5ew http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/vzbCKmEdSWNQriORDD4rIQ?select=2bybT17hfp1Lu24ED75Txg

Love love love! The trails are well preserved for all the rain that this area receives. The welcome center had signage available on both sides of the directory boards to allow more opportunity for groups to look at the maps. The trails are well labeled and there is ample street overflow parking. BUT we got there around 10am on a Saturday and when we left after 1pm, the line coming in was very long, so be sure to plan accordingly. And you do need to pay a fee or have a pass to enter the park.

I couldn't believe it when I heard that I could visit a rain forest without ever leaving the state of Washington! It is quite the trip out there if you're coming from the Seattle area. We live in Bremerton and it took us a little over 3 hours (so that would mean at least a 4.5 hour trek from Seattle unless you take the ferry). Regardless, we thought it was completely worth it! The drive out to the rain forest was really scenic. You pass a few beautiful lakes where the water is extremely blue. You also pass a couple of campgrounds and the hot springs. The drive also seemed to go really quickly (minus the last 45 minutes where you're averaging about 35 miles per hour). Once you get to the main gate, it is approximately $15 per vehicle (or $5 per person on foot). If you are military, you should qualify for a free national parks pass. We used our pass from a previous trip and got in completely free. What I really enjoyed was the fact that the vegetation screams rain forest, but the climate isn't as humid as it would be closer to the equator. I found the weather incredibly comfortable and the scenery extremely beautiful. We were even lucky enough to see an elk during our hike. If you're interested in the visitor's center, it is open 5 days a week (closed 2 weekdays). We missed it because it closed at 4, so I can't say much about it. We picnicked nearby and then took the river path. It takes around 30-60 minutes to get close to the river, but it was really worth it. I'm not a huge hiker so I really appreciated the flatness of the hike (although my husband wished it were hillier). In sum, if you're willing to drive several hours, I think this is extremely worth it.

You have to be pretty motivated in order to visit the Hoh Rain Forest since it is quite a drive to get to the main visitor center: there is one road in from Highway 101 (about an hour drive), so you will be backtracking when you exit. The entrance fee is $15 per car, and is good for 7 days. We got there in the afternoon and did the easy hikes, which take less than an hour each to do. I saw a notice for a guided tour of the trail, but unfortunately, we got there too late. Everywhere you look, you will see trees and moss. There is nothing like taking a big breath and smelling all of the trees. If you go in the summertime, I would recommend bug spray. Since we got there in the afternoon, the trails weren't too crowded. We were only driving through, but it would be fun to be able to camp there and spend more time outside of the car. If you are in the area, then it is a must-do.

Went to the Hoh Rain Forest over Memorial Day Weekend. It took us about 2 hours from Port Angeles to get to the rainforest's visitor center. This is already my third or fourth time going there but the scenic drive into the rainforest never got boring. It's still as pretty as I remembered it from the previous times I was there. This time we arrived at the rainforest around 8:30am, before the visitor center was open. However, you can still get into the national park area by paying on the route leading to the rainforest ($15 one-time pass, good for 7 days) The rainforest trails were so nice and tranquil, and more importantly, so quiet and peaceful like we had the whole place to ourselves. We started with the Hall of Mosses hike and found 2 elks (a mother and a baby elk) grazing right next our trail less than 50 feet away (which, in my opinion, is the highlight of our trip!!). After that, we also did a Spruce Nature trail, which allowed us to stroll leisurely along the river. We also saw a deer and many cool looking banana slugs on our second trail, too. It was a really nice, peaceful and not too strenuous walk for both of our trails (0.8 mile for the Hall of Mosses and just 1.2 miles for the Spruce Nature Trail). Love, love this nature place. The place is literally carpeted and decorated with different shades of green of mosses and maple leaves (as well as other plants like ferns and clovers, etc). Definitely worth a drive to visit as you won't find as many places as magical and picturesque as the Hoh Rainforest is a all! Definitely worth a visit!!!

Welcome to Jurassic Park. As close as it gets anyway. Cannot stop GUSHING about our incredible trip into the Hoh Rain Forest. It is truly not to be missed if you come anywhere near this region (yes, I consider Seattle close enough to make the side trip FOR SURE). The Trail: The Hoh River trail stretches east approximately 13 miles from the trailhead into the heart of Olympic National Park. We only had one day to tackle the Hoh, so we only went in about five or six miles before turning around. The trail is as flat as it gets, with little to no elevation gain. You can make this as easy or strenuous as you like by simply tacking on more miles. Lush gorgeous moss drapes over trees, branches dip into crystal clear pools, waterfalls abound, and bright green ferns blanket the forest floor. I was totally heart-eyes for this place. I only wish my friend and I had backpacked in for a few days to make camp. The Wildlife: Lots of wildlife to be seen on this trail. Deer, elk, beaver, red tails and yes, we saw a bear. Granted it was up a tree and we didn't stick around to identify it (i.e. black bear or grizz) but it was pretty sweet! I'd recommend carrying bear spray on any trail in the Pacific Northwest... just in case. :) The Visitor's Center: It was closed for remodeling when we got there and there wasn't a soul in sight (ranger wise). So, you're a bit on your own in that respect. No trail maps available either... but there is only one way in and one way out, so it's pretty self-explanatory. Bottom Line: GO. SERIOUSLY GO.

On a short visit to Seattle, my sister and I reserved one day to drive out to the Olympic Peninsula and the Hoh Rain Forest was our main stop. Our nearly 10 hour round-trip drive from Seattle was completely worth it, although I highly recommend spending at least a couple days here. We went on a Monday in early Spring and had the rain forest almost completely to ourselves. There are basically 3 trails here. We hiked the Hall of Mosses and Spruce Nature trail, both short & easy loop trails. My favorite was definitely the Hall of Mosses trail, it was so beautiful, like an enchanted forest out of a fairytale. We were really hoping to see some elk, but never spotted one or any animals for that matter, which was a bit of a bummer. The trails were fairly wide and maintained very well. Informative plaques are placed sporadically along the trails and provide interesting facts. Don't expect a challenge on these trails. Do expect to be surrounded by beautiful, lush scenery.

This is a really special place. Even the road to get there from the highway is lovely. It's about 18 miles and you drive by a river and through some really dense trees. We visited in late July but the air was really cool. Since we visited in the summer, it wasn't raining, and the one down side was there were a lot of bugs. There are several trails, from an accessible "mini-trail" to a long trail for serious hikers that ends up on a glacier (I think -- we are not serious hikers so we didn't take it). Make sure you visit the visitors' center before setting out on your hike so you can learn about what you are seeing. We took the short "Hall of Mosses" trail. It was pretty busy but we still found ourselves with some private moments. I was amazed by two things: the way the trees can fall and other trees just grow on top of them until they rot, and the fact that there are mosses that can just grow out of the nutrients in the normally moist air. I do hope I can go back sometime when it is a little wetter so I can see this in its more natural state.

We visited during Father's Day weekend and were lucky that the Hoh Rainforest was participating in free park admission weekend. We saved ~$20, score! Parking was plentiful but we got there before noon when we left, it was rather full. The info center was cute and cabin-y, with a 60s-70s feel. There were posters with things to read, some displays with stuffed squirrels, a small couch with tv/video. The restrooms were surprisingly clean, with a changing table, and provided hand sanitizer instead of water/soap (to save water). There are 3 main trails. We took the Hall of Mosses because it was the easiest/shortest (we had a toddler with us). The walk took just over an hour with her stopping every few feet...but the adults also stopped every so often to take in the awesomeness that is nature, giant trees, crisp air (really, the air was so nice), moss, and OMG, LOOK A BUNNY! Fortunately the weather had been relatively dry, so the trail wasn't mushy. :) Everyone we passed smiled and greeted us. It was just a good mood-feeling kind of day/place. And the park rangers are cute!

Worth a Quick Visit It is by no means a large visitor center, but there is useful information to be found here. Even better, the staff on hand is friendly and happy to answer any questions you may have.

We saw a black bear 4 miles before the visitor center. Several nice places to pull off, even for rvs. Great road. The Hoh Rainforest was better than the Quinault rainforest, if you have to make a choice. RV parking at visitor center, but we were surprised how many people were there at 4:45 on Tuursday in late August. Very much enjoyed Hall of Moss trail. 50ft incline and then level. Having mostly sunshine helped with photos. Visitor Center staff very helpful.

The Hoh Rainforest is such a vast area that for this review Id like to limit my review to the Hall of Mosses and near by areas. We visited way back when we had just moved over to the Forks area so we didn't know any better and we went on a early Summer day! It was ridiculous how much we paid for entry only to be crowded onto little trails with many other people. It's definitely something you HAVE to see once so don't pass it up... But.... There are MANY other stunning beautiful places in the olympic national park that are not crowded. Even stopping off at any of the gorgeous beaches is a wonderful idea. Take Hwy 101 and make plans to take your time. Like I said I wouldn't recommend passing up the Hall of Moss if you've never been! But... Remember there are many beautiful free places to pull over and see too.

Our trip to the coast this summer was my first time experiencing the Hoh Rain Forest. I'm not really one for nature walks and I initially scoffed at the $20 entrance fee into Olympic National park, but boy am I glad I begrudgingly paid the service ranger. This place is FANTASTIC. I've never felt closer to nature than the day we spent in the Hoh. The 18-ish mile drive is scenic and fun as the road bends around close to the pristine water sources. My biggest regret was not being prepared to take on a longer and more daunting walking tour. We opted for the mosses trail which is about a mile and more in our wheelhouse and we were taken away by the beauty of the Hoh. As a photographer I snapped about 400 pictures during our journey and each shot still captivates me because you walk 25 yards and it's a completely different scene and experience. We will be back for sure. I would love to experience the Hoh throughout all of the seasons. Maybe next time we'll even see a bear!

Want a quick drive-in to nature, or maybe a long hike through rainforest forest? Fortunately the Hoh has it all: from commercialized visitors' centers and the moderately toured Hall of Mosses to more obscure trails that lead to private paradises. (Along with visiting the visitors' centers, I hiked the Hoh River Trail, which I could recommend as being extremely scenic and offering a unique river through a temperate rain forest. If you want to get off the beaten path - no pun intended - the River Trail is a well-maintained yet underused option) Unless you approve of rain, come in the late summer (end of July through August). In early August I had a beautiful blue-sky trail! Walking through the rainforest is truly epic. I feel like it deserves a soundtrack: something like Avatar would be more than appropriate. The trails are all flat and well-maintained, even the far lesser-used trails! Of the Olympic Rain Forest, I do believe the Hoh is one of the best destinations!

So fun! Beautiful land, rich with adventure for people of any background. The moss was amazing to see. And the trail to blue glacier was amazing we saw several people backpacking that direction for overnight trips. We made it about a mile in, and were impressed with the beauty and energy of these lands. The river was clear and swift, the bark of the trees sacred & full of history. We hope to visit again and stay over night. Until next time.

The Hoh Rainforest is incredible, and the drive there from Seattle is just as beautiful as the forest itself! The several trails I went on were super gentle, if muddy. The Hall of Mosses trail was my favorite and is definitely a must-see. A great place to take the whole family.

Compared to the other visitor centers, Hoh has a tiny one with few options for postcards. The trail though is beautiful and shaded (of course). The Hall of Mosses is a circular path with lots of sights. Past that is the rainforest and a trail that extends 30 miles to Sol Duc Falls, but you can't stop at any point (lots of stops) and turn around. This is a must-visit. The trail itself is easy.

If you're looking for a lush rainforest, then this is it. The drive in when you get close is beautiful. Once in the park, you'll find a large parking lot and a visitor center. It was pretty crowded when we were there. The trails are pretty easy and the vistas are gorgeous. I think it's worthwhile coming here if you are in Washington, but if you want less crowds, go to the Quinault rainforest further south.

Such a beautiful place. It's a moss-laden spruce forest that looks like it came out of a Dr. Seuss book. The brilliant green of the moss contrasts with the dark color of the bark. The groves are massive and there are many large fallen trees across the trails, which adds to the experience. The visitor center now (March) is closed for construction. The Spruce Trail is closed but the moss trail and the longer trails are open. We also saw a herd of elk crossing the road, which was awesome!

Beautiful and scenic location. It is quite a trek to get here. We were going on the short hike to the hall of mosses. Low effort, high reward. First things first, you need a pass of some sort to park here. The manual pay station is often not stocked with forms to pay and place the receipt in your car. We had to just go for it and pray we wouldn't get ticketed. The hike to the hall of mosses runs in a circle and comes back out to the parking lot. The full loop is rather short but very worthwhile. The scenery just looks very cool and there is obviously a lot of moss. Bring bug spray as there are a lot of insects. Don't forget your camera too.

Gorgeous rainforest! We visited in the beginning of April and could do only one trail that was open at that time. The Hall of Mosses. Its a short trail but took us more than an hour as we stopped at almost every where on the pathway to take numerous snaps! Huge stooping trees covered with mosses, making a green canopy and floors covered in ferns, in between goes the narrow path! What a sight! The trees give you an eerie feeling sometimes! Where ever you look, its a bright green world. Absolutely beautiful. We feel its probably the best part of Olympic National Park. Not everywhere you can visit a rainforest as this. Even the road leading to the forest gate is gorgeous too. Loved the experience.

Save this hike for winter or spring. We went in August 2016 and it was very dry. It was still pretty but I've got to believe this is a better experience when it's wet and really green.

This place is absolutely delightful... towering trees and bright green moss surrounding you makes you feel as if you've been "transported" into another world. Visiting here from south Florida, I was completely in shock at the beauty and brilliance of HOH Rainforest. We spent about two hours walking around the Hall of Mosses, taking photos, and absorbing the whole experience. From what I understand, there are a few trails you can take; however, we were in converse and jeans, and completely ill-equipped to make a 17.5 or so mile hike. We could have spent our whole day exploring there. What an amazing experience. I am so grateful to check this off the bucket list!

Stunning temperate rainforest nestled in the north of Mt. Olympic. Quite a drive to get to, but worth it. Beware of bears.

The ranger gave me excellent advice for where to go & what to do during my stay. She helped me find amazing hikes and where to stop for dinner on the way home. Also, flush toilets!