Hoh Rain Forest Visitor Center — Attraction in Forks

My visit to the Hoh Rainforest left me utterly mesmerized—like stepping into a fairy tale preserved in emerald hues. 🌿 First impressions The Visitor Center, though modest in size, features a friendly staff, interpretive displays, and a small gift shop. Don’t skip it—this is where you’ll pick up trail maps and ask about wildlife sightings like Roosevelt elk or banana slugs.   Parking lots were clean and well-signed. The trails start right from the visitor center, making logistics seamless.   🚶 Trails & scenery The Hall of Mosses Trail (0.8 mi loop) is iconic—towering maples draped in spongy, vibrant moss gave me all the PNW mood I’d hoped for. The Spruce Nature Trail (1.2 mi) offered a slightly more open forest and riverside views, perfect for a relaxed stroll.  For a lengthier hike, the Hoh River Trail offers up to 18.5 miles (30 km) of flat terrain into the heart of the park, passing waterfalls, old growth forest, and eventually ending near the Blue Glacier beneath Mt. Olympus.  🌧 Mossy magic & quiet This part of Washington gets about 140 inches of rain annually—enough to keep everything lush, dripping, and quietly alive. On damp mornings, the forest comes alive with vivid greens and an almost holy stillness. This remains one of the quietest spots in the lower U.S., thanks to minimal noise pollution.    🦌 Wildlife & biodiversity On my walk, I spotted Roosevelt elk grazing alongside the trail, and banana slugs gliding across damp logs. With luck, you might spot bobcats, owls, or even black bears in quieter hours—but the forest is full of life, even in its smallest forms.    ⛈ When to visit I arrived in early May, just as the rainy season receded. The moss looked impossibly vibrant and the crowds were manageable (even in peak season, expect waits if you arrive after 10 a.m.). Off‑season visits in rainier months also offer lush serenity—though expect mud and drizzle.    ⚠️ Note on access The Upper Hoh Road, the only way into the Rainforest and Visitor Center, was washed out in December 2024 but fully reopened on May 8, 2025 after major repairs. Access is now restored as of my visit in August.  ✅ Summary • Visitor Center: Friendly, helpful, well‑situated. • Trails: Stunning, accessible, with options for quick loops or full-day adventures. • Scenery: Lush, green, moss‑draped—fairytale forest vibes. • Wildlife: Abundant; elk, slugs, birds, and visiting curious critters. • Best timing: Spring or early summer after rain—or winter for unforgettable quiet and green. Even by Pacific Northwest standards, the Hoh Rainforest stands out. If you’re craving a serene, moss-covered escape that feels primeval and peaceful, don’t...

This is a must see for your visit to Olympic National Park. Enjoy the coast, marvel at view from the mountains, but do not miss experiencing the only rain forest in the continental U.S. And this is the place to enjoy it.

The drive itself is spectacular as you weave through a canopy of the moss-covered forest. It's maybe a half-hour drive. As you approach the park entrance, you will probably have a 15-90 minute wait depending on the time of week and day that you arrive (there is a bathroom near the entrance booth that passengers can walk to while you wait in line; and there are signs on the road providing an estimate of how long before you enter).

Make a stop at the Hoh Rainforest Visitor Center. It's not huge but there are some souvenirs, books, maps and general information about what plants and wildlife to keep your eye open for.

The site does have camping, multiple trails, a picnic area, and a ranger station with knowledgeable staff. But the main attractions are the four trails that lead you through the beauty of the rain forest.

1. Hoh Mini-Trail is a paved 10-minute walk that circles from the visitor center and back in a loop. The trail itself serves as the entrance to the other three trailheads.

2. Hall of Mosses Trail is the most popular, and for good reason. It will take you on about a 3/4 mile loop and takes about an hour. There are a couple small inclines, but nothing too strenuous. This is a must see. Don't miss this beautiful journey while you're at Olympic.

3. Spruce Trail is about 1 1/4 miles and takes about an hour and a half. If you enjoyed the Hall of Mosses and are hungry for more, this will take you through more of the forest, through more variety and down by the Hoh River. Not as unique, but beautiful.

4. Hoh River Trail is for the more adventurous and will take you to sites across portions of the park, Glacier Meadows and Moraine being about 18 miles away. Be sure to register at the ranger station if you are hiking overnight.

If you're in Olympic National Park, or even just in the Pacific Northwest, do yourself a favor and make...

Get there early, trust me. It's so worth it.

We arrived on Upper Hoh road at around 9am, and waited in a line of cars for about 45 minutes to get to the guard and ticket hut. The rangers were super friendly and helpful, and once it was our turn we found a good parking spot even though it was packed. Got in at around 10.

We decided to really make it worth the wait, and did the Hall of Mosses as well as the Spruce trail. Both were beyond description. So uniquely beautiful in the old and new growth. I would rate the difficulty at about 4 out of 10. For the most part it was a very easy hike, but there are lots of roots and a few gentle inclines so If you've got mobility issues it might be difficult. Otherwise, those trails are a breeze. Found myself wishing they were longer. We took our time and went really slowly, did the junior ranger challenge, took pictures, ate our packed picnic lunch under the canopy at the information station, used the bathroom facilities. It was so nice. We left at around 1:45, and traffic. Was. Horrific. The line of cars to get in was miles long. Easily a several hour wait. So if you're going to go, go early. Trust me. I promise you it is worth the early rise. The visitor center was beautiful and clean, as was the woman's room. But the camp bathroom oupost outside of the ranger check hut was... bad. Filthy, with overflowing trash, fast food bags all over the floor. And somebody pried the vent apart and open on the door so you can see right in and peep on whoever is using the bathroom. Creepy.

But take it with a grain of salt and push through. Because the sights that await you are once in a lifetime and worth the...