The Hoh Rainforest guide, from people who live here

The Hoh Rain Forest — the crown jewel

The Hoh is one of the largest temperate rainforests in the United States, soaking up roughly 12 to 14 feet of rain a year. Sitka spruce and western hemlock tower overhead, bigleaf maples drip with club moss, and nurse logs sprout whole rows of new trees.

From Forks, drive about 13 miles south on Highway 101, then turn east on the Upper Hoh Road for 18 miles to the Hoh Visitor Center. Plan on about 50 minutes each way. There is no fuel or food past Forks — fill up and pack lunch in town.

• Hall of Mosses — 0.8-mile loop, the iconic moss-draped maple grove. Go first thing in the morning for soft light and quiet.
• Spruce Nature Trail — 1.2-mile loop along the Hoh River with giant spruce and elk sightings.
• Hoh River Trail — flat and gentle for the first miles; hike 2–3 miles out and back for old-growth solitude. The full trail runs 17+ miles toward Glacier Meadows for backpackers.
• Summer: arrive before 9 AM. The entrance line can stretch for an hour by late morning.

Beyond the Hoh — quieter rainforests near Forks

Locals know the Hoh isn't the only rainforest on the west side. These spots give you the same green cathedral with a fraction of the crowds.

• Bogachiel Rain Forest — minutes south of Forks, no park fee, and almost always empty. The Bogachiel River Trail is perfect for a short morning walk.
• Sol Duc Valley — about 45 minutes from Forks. Hike 1.6 miles round trip to Sol Duc Falls, then soak at Sol Duc Hot Springs (seasonal).
• Quinault Rain Forest — about 1.5 hours south. Home of the Quinault Loop and record-size trees; pair it with Ruby Beach and Kalaloch's Tree of Life on the drive.

Wildlife, weather & what to pack

Roosevelt elk graze the Hoh and Bogachiel valleys year-round — give them at least 50 yards. Banana slugs, bald eagles, and river otters are common. Rain is the rule, not the exception, and it's what makes everything glow.

• Waterproof jacket and boots — even in July.
• Layers: the forest floor stays cool and damp all day.
• Offline maps — cell service disappears a few miles outside Forks.
• Headlamp, snacks and water; there are no services inside the rainforest.
• Leave no trace — stay on trail to protect fragile moss and nurse logs.

A perfect rainforest day from Forks

• 7:00 AM — Coffee and breakfast in Forks, fill the tank.
• 8:00 AM — Drive the Upper Hoh Road; watch for elk in the meadows.
• 9:00 AM — Hall of Mosses, then the Spruce Nature Trail.
• 11:30 AM — Picnic by the Hoh River.
• 1:00 PM — Hike a few miles up the Hoh River Trail, or head to Ruby Beach.
• 5:00 PM — Back in Forks for dinner, then a fire pit evening at your cabin.

Staying weeks, not days? Researchers & long-term visitors

Forks is home base for field biologists, forestry crews, university researchers, photographers, and traveling professionals working across the Olympic Peninsula. The rainforest rewards patience — fog, elk rut, spring growth and winter storms all tell a different story.

If you need a place to live while you study or work the rainforest, Rainforest Retreat offers monthly furnished houses and full-hookup RV sites with water, sewer and 20/30/50-amp power — all within Forks, close to groceries, hardware, gear and fuel.