Hoh Rainforest In Washington State
The Hoh Rainforest in Washington State is a beautiful and serene place to visit. Surrounded by tall trees, the visitor becomes enveloped with nature as they walk through the forest floor of mosses, ferns and other plants.
Today’s blog post will cover some of the interesting facts about this unique ecosystem in Washington State.
Exploring the Hoh Rain Forest in Washington State is unlike any other experience.
The Amazon of the North on the Olympic Peninsula – the Hoh Rainforest in Washington State is a lush wonderland of ancient forests, beautiful waterfalls. And (of course) a river of pure glacial meltwater pouring off the glaciers of Mt Olympus.
Here, the drizzly air stings your face, and the ground slurps and gulps underfoot as you wade into an ever-deeper shadow. The canopy’s thicketed, crisscrossed with vines and ribbons of moss. Branches interweave overhead to form an airy latticework roof. Surrounding you a vast realm full of life – insects, plants, and large mammals all of which are vying for the same living space.
This place is equal parts beautiful, strange, and ancient. An ideal experience for those who are looking for the excitement of exploring a real-life Jurassic Park, but without the T Rex.
Here’s some facts about the Hoh Rainforest:
● The Hoh Rainforest is a protected area in western Washington, located on the Olympic Peninsula straddling the Hoh river.
● Hoh Rainforest is one of the few temperate rainforests in the world and the wettest forest in the contiguous United States. It receives about 200 inches of rainfall each year!
● It’s part of the 73 mile long Olympic National Park, which was established in 1938 to protect its old growth forests.
● The Olympic Peninsula has four rainforests, but the Hoh rainforest is the only one to have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a Biosphere Reserve.
● Hoh River is one of the world’s few rivers with an entirely glacial source.
How do you get to the Hoh rainforest?
If the Hoh rainforest in Washington is on your radar, there are several ways to reach it
The Hoh Rainforest is a four-hour drive from Seattle, three and a half hours from Tacoma, and five hours from Portland by car.
Alternatively, take the Washington State Ferry from Seattle to the Olympic Peninsula – this is the quickest route that involves a ferry crossing Puget Sound and then travelling across the northern part of the Olympic Peninsula.
Wildlife abounds in the Hoh Rainforest.
Hoh Rainforest is not only beautiful to look at – it’s also an important part of the surrounding ecosystem.
The rainforest is home to an array of wildlife, including the Pacific tree frog, northern spotted owl, bobcat, cougar, raccoon, Olympic black bear, Roosevelt elk, and black-tailed deer are all found in the Hoh Rainforest.
Plant species are also prolific in the Hoh Rainforest. Trees like the Sitka spruce, western hemlock, red cedar, big leaf maple, red adler, black cottonwood and Douglas fir are some of the flora found all found in abundance.
This also includes a variety of mosses, ferns, shrubs and lichens.
An ideal place for hiking or backpacking.
If you’re looking for an adventure, there’s nothing quite like the trails into the belly of the Hoh Rainforest.
The Hoh Rain Forest Visitor Center is the ideal starting point for your voyage into the heart of this incredible place. Whether you’re hiking, backpacking or just looking to take in some amazing views – there are two popular trails to choose from that start at the visitor center.
The Hall of Mosses Trail and Spruce Nature Trail which are 0.8 mile and 1.2 miles respectively and each give you a glimpse into the Hoh Rainforest’s world of lush vegetation, dense foliage, and teeming wildlife.
The Hall of Mosses trail is a favorite for many visitors who describe the experience to be “like walking into a living green cathedral.
It’s a loop that takes you into the heart of an ancient forest, where old-growth trees are draped with lush vegetation known as bryophytes.
The 5 Mile Island hike offers a more strenuous journey into the heart of the Hoh Rainforest. Its trails follow the Hoh River and give you a glimpse of the place’s old-growth forests.
Camping and Accommodation in the Hoh Rainforest.
Leave behind the stressors of modern life. Discover the thrill of camping in a gorgeous, remote setting where you can connect with your family and nature!
There are about 88 campsites (at the time of this post) located along the Hoh River with necessary amenities like clean running water, toilets and picnic tables that are available to the public on a first come, first served basis.
These sites are available year-round, and you can choose from a variety of options, such as camping with your car or without.
Talking about vehicles: they are welcome too – There’s plenty of room to park your RV, trailer, or tent at the campground.
And if day trips are more your thing, the Hoh Rainforest has you covered there too!
There are different types of accommodations in Forks (a town less than an hour from the Hoh Rainforest) that range from motels, cabins to bed and breakfasts.
Accommodations near Hoh Rainforest
Booking.comThe Hoh Rainforest is a special ethereal place that you should experience for yourself.
Created by nature’s hand, the Hoh Rainforest in Washington is a place that is best experienced first-hand.
The Hoh Rainforest’s rich biodiversity and natural splendor makes it one of the most beautiful places in the world. Blanketed by dense vegetation, fog, and tucked away from the hustle and bustle of busy city life, this rainforest is a serene escape from reality.
In fact, on many accounts, the Hoh forest is considered one of Earth’s quietest places.
What’s more:
To truly grasp what makes this pristine rainforest so special and unique, you only have to look up.
Towering, 200-foot tall trees are not uncommon in the Hoh Rainforest. These ancient giants have been standing for up to 800 years!
And in places like the Hall of Mosses, a tangle of vegetation dripping from the trees catches falling leaves and transforms itself into a green canopy and base to a second forest floor high in the air – another bustling, living world unto itself.
The Hoh Rainforest is a one-of-a-kind place and holds an unparalleled beauty that must be seen to believe. And one that will leave you stunned and amazed even after you’ve departed.
What is the best Time to Visit the Hoh Rainforest in Washington State?
Unlike most of the seven wonders of Washington that are most visited in the summer months, the Hoh Rainforest is best enjoyed during the rainy season when the splendor and magnificence of this ancient forest is at its peak – a lush green landscape bursting with life.
This time of year offers visitors the unique opportunity to catch sight of some amazing wildlife like the Ariolimax columbianus a species of giant banana slug which holds the enviable title of the world’s second largest species of land slug.
Additionally, you can also expect to see the Roosevelt elk before they begin their annual migration to higher elevations in the summer months.
The Hoh Rainforest is a special place that will leave you wondering if it’s real or not, but one thing is certain: it’s an experience that will stay with you long after the mist has cleared.
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