Hoh Rain Forest ~ Olympic National Park

Flickr album link: Hoh Rain Forest

The Hoh Rain Forest offers the deep woods environment that is most often associated with Olympic National Park. Because of deforestation and climate change, very few temperate rain forests remain in the Pacific Northwest and once they are gone, they can never be replaced. Basically this is because a rain forest has a way of creating its own perpetually moist climate and once the balance is broken, the conditions necessary for a rebirth may never return. Fortunately the Hoh Rain Forest is now federally protected and the Olympic Peninsula certainly receives an abundance of annual misty rain, so this mystical destination will likely continue to thrive.

From Highway 101, Upper Hoh Road is the touring route to look for and the signage is easy to spot. This road eventually connects with Hoh Valley Road and the park visitor center is located at the end of the line. In between there are a few campgrounds, trailheads, local native artisan shops and places to soak up views of the Hoh River. The Hoh Rain Forest Visitor Center is the best place to start a venture in this end of the park, since this is where the park brochure trail maps can be found, which definitely will come in handy.

​Several trailheads are located next to the visitor center, which makes it easy to get an outing underway. The Hoh River Trail offers a lengthy trek into this majestic landscape, while for those who simply just want to take a look at the moss draped trees, the Hall Of Mosses is right next door. The Hoh Campground is also located nearby, which is a nice convenience for those who wish to experience the deep rain forest for an extended time. There are a lot of strange sights to be seen, especially in the Hall Of Mosses, so be sure to pack a weatherproof camera when setting out on foot!