Inside The Hoh Rain Forest, Washington’s World Of Moss And Quiet

The first thing to notice at the Hoh Rain Forest is how many shades of green fit inside one view. Moss hangs from branches, ferns crowd the forest floor and old-growth trees make the walk feel wonderfully unhurried.

This corner of Olympic National Park lies on Washington’s western side. The National Park Service describes it as one of the finest remaining examples of temperate rainforest in the United States. You reach the trail area by the Upper Hoh Road off Highway 101, with the visitor center at the end of the road.

For an introduction, take the Hall of Mosses Trail. The 0.8-mile loop winds through old-growth forest and a grove of maples draped with club moss. Its short length makes it easy to slow down, look up at the canopy and notice the textures that give this place its name.

The nearby Spruce Nature Trail is a 1.2-mile loop through old and new-growth forest beside Taft Creek and the Hoh River. For a longer day, the Hoh River Trail offers an out-and-back walk: choose a turnaround that fits your time and conditions.

This is a place to enjoy at the pace of a forest rather than race toward a viewpoint. The visitor center’s hours change with the season, and weather and road conditions can affect a visit. Check the National Park Service’s current information before setting out. Pets are not allowed on the Hoh trails.

The Hoh’s beauty needs no dramatic reveal. A few steps beneath its moss-covered branches are enough to see why a quiet walk here stays with people.