Olympic Peninsula Trip - Hoh Rain Forest

The next day we drove to the Hoh Rain Forest to once again tour the mossy trees. We arrived before 9 a.m. to avoid the long park entrance lines. We had no wait, but the parking lot was already nearly full. By the time we left, the line at the park entrance stretched over a mile, with a two-hour wait.

There are only three trails in the Hoh Rain Forest. Two are short nature trails, and then there’s the 18+ mile Hoh River Trail, which heads deep into the Olympic Peninsula. Not surprisingly, we only did the nature trails.

We first walked the Hall of Mosses Trail, which features countless green, moss-draped trees. As usual, it was a very unique and scenic experience. Next, we did the Spruce Nature Trail, which was less mossy and green but still very much a temperate rainforest. Jamie and the kids were excited to see baby deer at the start of the trail.

This was our third trip to the Hoh Rain Forest and the first time it was dry. One day I’ll need to backpack up the Hoh River to see Mt. Olympus, but the nature trails alone provide a unique and worthwhile visit, as long as you arrive early.