Emerald Exploration: Hall of Mosses Trail in Olympic National Park

Immerse yourself in the unparalleled beauty of the Hall of Mosses Trail, where every step reveals the vibrant greens of the ancient Hoh Rainforest.

Last updated: May 2024

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$30 National Park entrance fee

Description

Explore the emerald heart of Olympic National Park on the Hall of Mosses Trail, a serene journey through lush, moss-covered forests. Immerse yourself in the unparalleled beauty of the Hall of Mosses Trail, where every step reveals the vibrant greens of the ancient Hoh Rainforest. The Hall of Mosses Trail offers a rare glimpse into the heart of the Hoh Rainforest, part of Olympic National Park's diverse ecosystem. This 0.8-mile loop trail, with an elevation gain of around 100 feet, is a journey through a verdant landscape teeming with western hemlocks, bigleaf maples, and Sitka spruces that tower up to 250 feet. The forest floor is a soft tapestry of mosses and ferns, creating a scene so lush it feels otherworldly. The trail is accessible to all, promising an easy yet rewarding adventure into one of the United States' largest temperate rainforests, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Biosphere Reserve.

Perfect for

For solo

For two

For groups

For families with kids

For parents and grownups

Outdoorsy

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Itinerary

Begin at the Hoh Rainforest Visitor Center
Follow the well-maintained, 0.8-mile loop trail
Take time to observe the towering trees, mosses, and potentially wildlife
Complete the trail at a leisurely pace, enjoying the unique ecosystem

Location

Hoh Valley Rd, Forks, WA 98331

Show directions

Packing List

Waterproof hiking boots
Rain jacket
Camera
Water bottle
Snacks (to enjoy after the hike, keeping the forest clean)

4.8 ● Google reviews

Jessie

a month ago

Hoh Rain Forest is a beautiful place to visit in Olympic National Park. It took us about 50 minutes one way to drive there from Forks, and there is an entrance station near the trail area where you need to pay or show your park pass. There are several trails in the rainforest, and we chose the Hall of Mosses Trail. It was an easy and beautiful walk with amazing moss-covered trees and a very unique rainforest atmosphere.
Valerie Lisuk Photography

4 months ago

Hall of Mosses is one of those places that’s just wow. Super green, moss everywhere, feels unreal. It’s a really easy loop, about 1 mile, basically no elevation, so very chill walk. But yeah, it’s also the busiest spot in the Hoh. If you want something quieter, just hop onto the Hoh River Trail, you don’t have to go far at all (it’s like 18 miles), even a short walk in is way more peaceful. If you’re going in summer, try to get there early or closer to sunset. Midday gets packed and you can end up waiting a long time just to park. Also don’t forget about the entrance fee — you can buy a pass online, at the entrance, or use your America the Beautiful pass if you have one. No dogs allowed.
Amy Cheney

3 weeks ago

Our research showed that it can be very hard to find parking at this trailhead in the middle of the day. We decided to make it a late afternoon/early evening activity and the parking was much better! Mosquitos were a little bothersome at that time of day though…
Ali Alibhai

5 months ago

Wasn't sure what to expect, but had my mind blown! Absolutely amazing, felt like I was in a Disney movie! Never seen such a bright green landscape and a creek with water that clear! Remember, it is a rainforest, so be prepared, but it was so beautiful that we didn't once feel bothered by the rain!
Bart Holden

6 months ago

Breathtaking trail. We had beautiful weather and walked the trail with our 70 year old mothers. They had no issues doing the trail despite being southern flat landers . I highly recommend this My photos so not capture the beauty properly.