7 Best Things To Do in the Hoh Rain Forest (+Where to Eat and Stay)

The Hoh Rain Forest is one of the most popular places to visit in Olympic National Park. It’s known for being one of the largest untouched old-growth forests in the United States. With miles of hiking trails, a milky-blue river, and nature surrounding you, it’s no wonder that half a million people visit each year.

A trip to the Hoh Rain Forest can be completed as a half-day trip, or you can make it a multi-day trip by staying at the campground or backpacking.

I’ve been fortunate enough to hike many miles in the Hoh Rain Forest, and each visit I leave feeling more amazed than the last. Read on to hear my top recommendations on how to best visit and get the most out of your trip to the Hoh Rain Forest.

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Getting to the Hoh Rain Forest

The Hoh Rain Forest is located on Upper Hoh Road, which can be accessed via Highway 101. It’s 31 miles south of Forks and 39 miles north of Kalaloch. Once you turn onto the Upper Hoh Road, you’ll drive 18 miles into the forest. The road ends at the Hoh Rain Forest Visitor Center with a large parking lot. This is where the 3 main trails are. The entrance station for the Hoh Rain Forest is 5 miles from the end of the road, where you will need to get a National Parks Pass to enter. The passes are ~$30 for a 7-day pass or ~$80 for a yearly National Park Pass.

The drive itself can be a little rough. The road is incredibly bumpy; I had a hard time even going the speed limit in my van. The speed limit is only 35mph, so that should tell you just how bumpy the road is. For the first few miles of the Upper Hoh Road, there aren’t many pull-offs for slow vehicles, so traffic can get a little backed up on the drive in. Eventually, you’ll start getting glimpses of the Hoh River on the right side of the road. There are a couple of turnouts to stop and take in the beauty.

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1. The Hoh Rain Forest Visitor Center

The visitor center is a great place to start your visit to the Hoh Rain Forest. Here is where you can speak to a ranger, get updated trail information, and get suggestions on how to spend your day. There are a few souvenirs for sale, cool displays that give facts about the forest, and a restroom that’s located outside.

The Hoh Rain Forest Visitor Center is open daily throughout the summer, with limited days open in the spring and fall, and is fully closed January through March.

2. Hike the Hoh River Trail

The Hoh River Trail is 35 miles out-and-back and can be extremely challenging with about 5,500 feet of elevation gain. The trail leads straight to Blue Glacier, with several backcountry campgrounds along the way. But what I love so much about this trail is that you can turn around at any point, so it makes for a great day hike. Whether you are hiking 1 mile or all 35 miles, this trail has a ton to offer.

The moment you step foot on the Hoh River Trail, you will feel the tranquility that this rainforest has to offer. From moss drooping off the trees, to slugs, to towering old-growth hemlocks, this trail will leave you in awe. You’ll encounter the Hoh River about a mile into the walk. The Hoh River is glacially fed, so you’ll notice the river is a bright blue color from the glacial silt being carried down the mountain. In the fall, you can even catch salmon running back upstream from the ocean.

With the Hoh Rain Forest being one of the busiest stops in Olympic National Park, it’s quite interesting that hardly anyone hikes this trail. After the first half-mile, I rarely see other people, even on the busiest days. This means you get a true nature experience without having to venture too far into the wilderness.

I consider this hike to be an all-senses experience. The smell of the forest right after rain, the birds chirping all around you, watching the forest unfold right before your eyes, getting a little blueberry snack along the trail, and being able to touch the ancient giants surrounding you.

The trail itself is a leisurely walk for the first several miles. There are some small hills and tree roots to maneuver around, but they’re pretty mild. A popular destination on this trail is the Mineral Creek Falls, where the rushing cascade can be seen from a bridge on the trail. Getting to the falls is 5.5 miles out-and-back.

3. Hike the Hall of Mosses

The Hall of Mosses is a 1.1-mile loop, considered easy with only 82 feet of elevation gain. This beautiful trail takes you through an old-growth forest covered in mosses in every shade of green. There are educational plaques along the way telling you about the ecosystem. There are also benches on this hike, so you can sit and take in all of the nature surrounding you.

While this hike is informative and wonderful to walk through, I’m going to share my actual opinion on hiking the Hall of Mosses. I feel like most people come to the Hoh Rainforest just to hike this trail. I get it, it’s iconic. However, it is incredibly busy. On my last visit, there were hundreds of people hiking this short trail. I had every intention of hiking it too, but walking in a single-file line through the forest isn’t why I come here. There are better, less crowded options in the park.

PRO TIP: My suggestion for finding a similar hike with fewer crowds would be to hike the Quinault Rain Forest Nature Trail. This trail has informative plaques along the way and is in a temperate rainforest as well. Read more about this trail in my article How to Visit Lake Quinault in Olympic National Park.

The best time to visit this trail would be early in the morning or after 5 pm.

4. Spruce Nature Trail

The Spruce Nature Trail is an easy 1.3-mile loop with an elevation gain of only 16ft. This is a great trail for families to walk as it’s completely flat and there’s a lot to see in the short hike. This trail highlights the towering Sitka Spruce that thrive in the forests here. This trail is also a great place to admire and learn about nurse logs. Nurse logs are fallen trees that provide nutrients back into the forests and create a home for new seeds and young plants to grow.

Not only is this trail a lovely walk through the woods, but it also takes you along the Hoh River. There is an overlook of the river on the trail that gives you the perfect view of the mountains in the distance.

DON’T MISS: 7 Can’t-Miss Hikes in Olympic National Park: A Quick and Easy Guide

5. Appreciate the Silence

The Hoh Rain Forest is known to be one of the quietest places in the United States, with minimal human noise, like traffic and construction. As part of a scientific project, planes have even been asked to be rerouted so they do not fly above the forest. This, mixed with the natural sound absorption that moss and lush vegetation provide, makes the Hoh Rain Forest one of the most peaceful places in the country.

To get the most out of the silence, I recommend hiking at least 3 miles into the rainforest, where visitors are limited and the wonders of nature really come alive. Or, finding a secluded spot to sit along the Hoh River and take in all of the beauty around you.

6. Explore the Hoh River

If you’re looking for something more adventurous to do in the Hoh Rain Forest, there are a couple of companies that lead rafting trips down the Hoh River. This allows you to experience the Hoh River and Rainforest in a unique way. The rafting company that was recommended to me is the Hoh River Rafters. They offer morning and afternoon trips throughout the summer and provide you with all of the necessary gear for a fun and safe trip down the river, plus, at the end of the trip, they drive you back to your starting point.

You can bring your own kayak or raft for an unforgettable water experience on the Hoh. I’d recommend this only for experienced boaters, though, because some of the river is a class II and above. If this is something you’re interested in, you should do your own research on the subject, as there are many different boat launching options in the forest.

7. Fishing on the Hoh River

The Hoh River is widely known for its abundant fishing opportunities. With the Hoh River being a salmon run river, there are plenty of opportunities to go fishing in the area. Prime salmon fishing is between August and November. However, trout can be found throughout the year. There are a couple of guided fishing companies in the area if you are looking for an option where gear and knowledge are easily available. A couple of guiding companies that I can recommend are the Olympic Peninsula Guide Service and Blue Herron Guide Service.

If you want to venture out on your own, make sure you familiarize yourself with the rules and regulations set out by the Olympic National Park and the National Forest.

Where to Stay

While a trip to the Hoh Rainforest can be done in half a day, I prefer to camp in the park so that I can get the most out of the 36-mile round-trip drive out here. Here are a couple of options for staying in the Hoh Rain Forest.

• Hoh Rain Forest Campground: Located right in the Hoh Rain Forest, next to the trailhead parking. The views here are just breathtaking, with large trees and mountains surrounding you. Some of the campsites sit along the Hoh River with trails leading you to the water’s edge. This is the easiest place to stay in the Hoh because of the proximity to the visitor center and hiking trails. I was able to walk straight to the trails from my campsite. There are 72 sites here, with reservations being required mid-June through mid-September. Outside of those dates, the campground works on a first-come, first-served system. My last visit was in late May, and I was able to easily find a spot. This campground features restrooms with running water, potable water, and even has firewood for sale from the camp host. As of 2025, the dump station here is closed indefinitely.
• Minnie Peterson Campground: If you are unable to secure a campsite at the Hoh Rain Forest Campground, there is a first-come, first-served campground operated by DNR on the Upper Hoh Road. It is 4 1/2 miles from the turn-off of Highway 101 to Upper Hoh. This campground is open year-round, with 9 campsites to choose from. It does have a pit toilet. The DNR campgrounds on the Olympic Peninsula do require a Discover Pass, which can be purchased online or at many of the surrounding stores. It is currently ~$30/year, but will increase to ~$45/year in October 2025.
• Hard Rain Cafe: The Hard Rain Cafe has campsites, RV parking, and cabins for rent. There are options for electric and water hookups as well. The campground is open mid-march to mid-November. The campground offers private showers to all campers.
• Hoh Valley Cabins (book here): Hoh Valley Cabins offers 4 modern cabins for rent. Each one includes a kitchenette, bedroom, and living area. The cabins make for a picturesque place to relax while exploring the Hoh Rainforest.

DON’T MISS: Best Places to Camp In and Around Olympic National Park

Where to Eat

With the Hoh Rain Forest being a more secluded part of the park, services are pretty limited. I always recommend bringing food with you, especially if you are planning to stay the night. There is one restaurant on the Upper Hoh Road.

Hard Rain Cafe: 5 1/2 miles from Highway 101, on Upper Hoh Road. This little breakfast and burger shop is always busy. It’s the perfect way to fuel up before or after a hike. They offer coffee and breakfast in addition to burgers and sandwiches throughout the day.

DISCOVER: Where to Eat In and Around Olympic National Park

Best Times to Visit

The Hoh Rain Forest is by far one of the busiest places in Olympic National Park. I have heard of hundreds of cars waiting to get into the entrance station during peak season, weekends, and holidays. There is only so much parking in the area, so they typically won’t allow any cars to enter without others exiting first. This can be a little frustrating if you are trying to make your visit to the Hoh just a day trip or if you are waiting to get to your campground. You may need to do a bit more preparation because of this.

The National Park recommends visitors come before 10 am or after 5 pm to avoid long lines at the entrance station. I also recommend trying to visit the Hoh Rain Forest during the week, as there are fewer visitors.

DISCOVER: Driving in Olympic: 10 Things You Need to Know

Know Before You Go

• The nearest amenities, like gas and groceries, are in Forks, Washington, 31 miles north on Highway 101.
• The Hoh Rain Forest is an animal habitat, so be aware of your surroundings because elk, mountain lions, and black bears are abundant in the area.
• As with most of the Olympic Peninsula, cell service can be spotty or non-existent. Download offline maps and pick up detailed maps at the nearest Ranger Station or Visitor Center.

If you are looking for a place that offers tranquility and natural beauty, you should definitely add the Hoh Rain Forest to your itinerary. Even with it being one of the busiest parts of Olympic National Park, there is still plenty of space to find a secluded spot in the forest to admire this unique old-growth forest.

What Else Do I Need to Know?

Most travelers want to visit the most popular sites and still avoid the crowds. We created a step-by-step itinerary so you can visit the best places at the right times.