The United States has a rainforest of its own yet you rarely, if ever, hear about it in the mainstream media.  Even better, a river runs through it.

America’s rainforest is called the Hoh.  The internal Hoh river extends all the way from the famous Mount Olympus toward the coast.

Put the Hoh Rainforest on Your Bucket List

The Hoh is likely called such in reference to Ohalet, a Native American word that means fast-moving water.  The reference is to the rainforest’s river created by runoff from massive ancient glaciers.

The Hoh, a mere two hours from Washington’s Port Angeles, is more hospitable than most hikers initially assume.  Venture through the greenery and you’ll stumble upon a campground open throughout the entirety of the year.

There are even places to stay around the boundary of the park so don’t be intimidated by this hike.  You can lodge within an hour’s drive or less and have a blast in America’s rainforest.

Prepare for the Conditions

Though this wooded space receives its fair share of precipitation, the drenching is well worth it.  Feast your eyes on the lush landscape and you’ll feel as though you are in the Amazon rainforest.

The Hoh is your opportunity to take in deciduous and coniferous species in all their beauty.  You’ll also spot ferns, mosses and more natural delights during your expedition.

If you aren’t exactly sure what you are looking at or where to go next, don’t fret. 

The site’s trailhead positioned on Upper Hoh Road by the forest’s Visitor Center, is chock-full of helpful information.  Here, you will find knowledgeable staff with insightful information about exhibits within and near the Hoh Rainforest.

Pick Your Hiking Trail

The Hoh has two brief loop trails along with a trail by the Visitor Center that extends through the forest.  The Spruce Nature Trail measures 1.2 miles.  This colorful trail loops through the new and old growth of the forest, giving you a look at the Hoh River and a calm creek.

Choose the Hall of Mosses Trail and you’ll cover slightly less than a mile.  This gorgeous loop guides you through the older growth of the forest. 

The Hall of Mosses is named as such as it features moss-covered maple trees within a grove.  It’s quite the pleasant surprise to say the least.

Venture to the out and back trail, called the Hoh River Trail, and you’ll hike by several camping spaces.  One of those sites is Glacier Meadows, measuring 17.3 miles. 

The other campsite, Blue Glacier, provides an eye-popping view of Mount Olympus.

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