Hall of Mosses Trail: An Amazing Hike in Olympic National Park
Welcome to the beautiful world of Olympic National Park’s Hall of Mosses trail, where nature’s magic comes alive. Tucked away on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State, the Hoh Rainforest’s Hall of Mosses Trail offers a mesmerizing walk through a lush temperate rainforest.
As you step onto the path, be prepared to immerse yourself in a landscape straight out of a fairytale: towering ancient trees draped with delicate mosses and ferns, creating an ethereal ambiance that will leave you breathless.
The Hall of Mosses is a must-visit, family-friendly destination for anyone yearning to connect with nature’s awe-inspiring beauty without committing to a long hike.
Read my three-day itinerary for Olympic National Park.
A Guide to the Hall of Mosses in Olympic National Park
Here’s what it was like to hike in the Hall of Mosses.
Hiking around the Hall of Mosses
Trail Stats
- Difficulty: Easy
- Length: 1.2 miles
- Time on Trail: 45 minutes
It’s truly iconic in there – when it rains. I visited in the middle of September 2023, after a week of rain in the area, and found it more magical than I could have imagined.
And this was a surprise because I’ve been to the Hoh Rainforest twice before and found it to be pretty ‘blah.’ I honestly didn’t really enjoy it, and the photography opportunities were not great.
But this time, the place came alive in the rain, and I couldn’t pull myself away.
Overall, the Hall of Mosses is a 1.2-mile loop that brings you slightly uphill to start into a lush forest with tons of moss hanging around. Hence the name. As you’re hiking the loop, it’s predominantly flat and is on well-packed dirt (unless it’s raining, then it is puddles).
Easy Booking: Expedia.com | Hotels.com | VRBO | Booking.com
Need Gear: Shop the 2026 REI Anniversary Sale from May 15-25 to score great deals
Find Awesome Tours: Viator.com or GetYourGuide.com
Follow on Instagram: @Alecoutside
Iceland on your bucket list? Get my Iceland guide + 144 pinned locations on Google Map
Usually, the Hoh Rainforest is crowded – especially on weekends in the summer – but midweek on a rainy day, only a dozen or so people were enjoying the Hall of Mosses with me. I just hung around and soaked in the views (and the raindrops) and had a wonderful day!
What you need to know about the Hoh Rainforest hike
Where is the Hall of Mosses trail?
The Hall of Mosses Trail can be found at the Hoh Rainforest Visitor Center. Walk a hundred yards past the visitor center, and you’ll see a sign pointing you left for this beautiful trail inside the Hoh Rainforest.
The Hoh Rainforest Visitor Center is 17 miles off Highway 101, 50 minutes from Forks, and four hours from Seattle. (Yes, unfortunately, it is a long drive.)
Is Hall of Mosses worth it?
Most definitely! The Hall of Mosses is 100% worth it. It’s a stunning assortment of trees, ferns, moss, and other plants.
The entire family will love it, and it’ll only take up a short amount of time, allowing you to explore more areas like the Hoh River Trail or the Spruce Nature Trail.
How long does it take to hike the Hall of Mosses?
Depending on how quickly you want to walk through it (I went slow for photography reasons), it could take you anywhere from 25 minutes to an hour. But it shouldn’t take you any longer than that.
But you will love the time on the loop trail and really feel connected to the trees and ferns.
How hard is the Hall of Mosses Trail?
This is a super easy trail that everyone in the family can do. There’s a slight incline about a tenth of the way in. From there, it is predominantly flat. I wouldn’t expect anyone to break a sweat while doing this.
What is the difference between the Hall of Mosses and the Spruce Nature Trail?
These are similar trails, though the Spruce Nature Trail is nearly flat and right by the parking lot. This is an excellent way for kids to get introduced to the Hoh Rainforest. In all, it’s about a 1.4-mile loop.
The Hall of Mosses, near the Spruce Nature Trail, is a mile walk with some elevation gain (not a lot, but some). It’s also good for families and is slightly further into the rainforest.
Be Ready for Parking Madness
Nobody talks about this enough, and it’s genuinely one of the most stressful parts of visiting the Hoh in summer.
The parking lot at the Hoh Rainforest Visitor Center has a decent number of spaces, but on a summer weekend, it fills up by 9 or 10 a.m. — sometimes earlier. If you roll in at 11 and find a full lot, you’re either waiting around or driving back out, and neither is fun after a 17-mile road just to get there.
The move is the same as almost everywhere in the National Parks: get there early. I’m talking 7:30–8 a.m. if you’re visiting between June and September. Weekdays are noticeably better than weekends.
One more thing — download your offline maps the night before. The 17-mile drive on Upper Hoh Road has basically no cell service, and you don’t want to be navigating blind.
Make sure you have your National Park Pass
The Hall of Mosses Trail itself has no separate fee, but you’re entering Olympic National Park, which charges an entrance fee.
A standard vehicle pass runs $30 and covers you for seven days. If you’re hitting multiple National Parks this year — and if you’re driving to the Olympic Peninsula, you probably should be — the America the Beautiful Annual Pass is $80 and covers every National Park in the country for a full year. It pays for itself in three visits.
Wildlife: The Elk Are the Real Show
I have a photo from my September visit of an elk casually wandering across the road on the drive into the visitor center, and it stopped me cold. That’s kind of the Hoh Rainforest experience in a nutshell — you show up thinking you’re there for the trees and the moss, and then a 700-pound animal just materializes out of the ferns.
Roosevelt Elk are the largest elk subspecies in North America, and the Hoh Valley has one of the densest populations of them anywhere. You’re most likely to spot them in the meadows and along the river on the drive in, especially early morning or late afternoon. They’re also occasionally seen right around the trailhead — so keep your eyes open from the moment you park.
Beyond the elk, keep an eye out for banana slugs on the trail (they’re enormous and weirdly fascinating), and if you’re crossing Taft Creek during the right time of year, there are Coho salmon in there. The whole ecosystem is doing something interesting if you slow down enough to notice it.
Other Trails in the Area
The Hoh River Trail is a 17-mile trail that leads all the way to the Blue Glacier in the center of Olympic National Park. The trail is mostly flat for the first 11 or so miles before gradually increasing as you get nearer the glacier.
Here are some turnaround points per the Olympic NP website:
- First River access (0.9 miles/ 2.9 km one way)
- Mineral Creek Falls (2.7 miles/ 4.3 one way)
- Cedar Grove (4.0 miles/ 6.4 km one way)
- 5-mile Island (5.0 miles/ 8.0 km one way)
When is the best time to visit the Hall of Mosses and Olympic National Park?
This is very subjective. But I personally believe it’s best to visit in the light rain or just after a rain. The rainforest is much more vibrant and calm after it has rained and is way less crowded. This means the best time to check it out is in the fall, winter, and spring.
If you do go when it’s wet, make sure to have waterproof boots.
I’ve visited in the summer and in the rain, and they don’t compete.
It’s all dried out in the summer, and the moss and ferns don’t look well. Obviously, most people visit Washington in the summer due to the amazing hiking, but the Hoh Rainforest is not at its peak then.
Where should you stay to explore the Hoh Rainforest?
My best suggestion is to stay in or near Forks, WA. This is a small town with a low amount of amenities, but it makes for a great home base. It’s also the closest town. Next up would be Port Angeles, which is much more of a city and will have more options for lodging and food.
Additionally, there are campgrounds along the way that will require just a little bit of research.
Photos from the Hall of Mosses trail
What to Pack for the Hall of Mosses
This is not a challenging hike gear-wise, but the weather will humble you if you show up unprepared. Here’s what I’d actually bring:
A waterproof rain jacket is non-negotiable, no matter what time of year. Even in summer, the canopy drips on you. In fall or winter, a rain layer is as essential as shoes.
Waterproof boots or trail runners — the path gets muddy and puddly after rain, and since rain is the whole point of coming here, assume the ground is going to be wet.
For photographers, a rain sleeve or waterproof bag for your camera body is worth it. I was shooting in light rain on my September visit and was grateful I had my gear protected. The diffused light in those conditions is stunning, but it means water is everywhere.
Honestly, you don’t need much else. This is a 1.2-mile loop, not an expedition. Bring water, snacks if you’re adding the Hoh River Trail afterward, and a sense of patience, because you’re going to want to stop every ten feet.
FAQ: Hoh Rainforest in Olympic National Park
What’s the Twilight connection?
Forks, WA — the closest town to the Hoh — is the setting of the Twilight book and movie series. So yes, there’s a Twilight museum and a lot of Twilight-themed tourism in town. It has nothing to do with the rainforest itself, but if you’re road-tripping through and have anyone in your group who grew up on those books, it’s a fun 20-minute detour.
Will I have cell service?
Cell service will be spotty for you near the Hall of Mosses Trail. While you might be able to get calls and texts, the internet is unlikely.
Are pets allowed on the Hoh River Trail?
No pets are allowed on the Hoh River Trail or any trail not specified below. Pets are allowed on the following trails:
- Peabody Creek Trail (Olympic National Park Visitor Center in Port Angeles)
- Rialto Beach parking lot to Ellen Creek (1/2 mile)
- The beaches between the Hoh and Quinault Reservations (Kalaloch area)
- Madison Falls Trail (Elwha)
- Spruce Railroad Trail (North shore of Lake Crescent)
- July Creek Loop Trail (North shore of Lake Quinault)
Can I fly drones in the National Park?
No drones are allowed in the National Parks. Please leave them at home or at least in the car.
How far is the Hall of Mosses from Seattle?
It’s about 4 to 4.5 hours, depending on ferry timing and traffic. It is genuinely a haul.
This is not a day trip from Seattle unless you love sitting in a car. I’d strongly recommend staying at least one night — Forks is 50 minutes away and makes a solid base. Port Angeles is a bit further but has more options.
Are there bathrooms at the trailhead?
Yes, the trailhead is the Hoh Rainforest Visitor Center. There are bathrooms, and you can talk to a ranger here, too.
Wrapping up – Hall of Mosses trail in the Hoh Rainforest
The Hall of Mosses trail in Olympic National Park is an enchanting experience that immerses visitors in the beauty and grandeur of nature.
With its lush greenery, towering trees adorned with delicate mosses, and tranquil atmosphere, it offers a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Whether you are an avid hiker or simply someone who appreciates the wonders of the natural world, this trail is a must-visit destination.
So lace up your hiking boots, grab your camera, and prepare to be captivated by the magical allure of Hall of Mosses – an unforgettable journey through one of America’s most stunning national parks.
Until next time, adventurers, stay safe.
Follow on social media: TikTok || Instagram || Facebook || Newsletter | YouTube