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Some of the most iconic views in Olympic National Park are the moss-covered trees, especially on the western side of the park. Washington’s Olympic Peninsula is diverse and home to four temperate rainforests—the Hoh, Quinault, Queets, and Bogachiel—each with its own unique beauty.
The Hall of Mosses trail in the Hoh Rainforest, pronounced “Hoe”, is one of the best ways to experience the rainforest and one of the park’s most popular trails. This easy, one-mile loop is great for families and gets you right up close to the rainforest’s stunning moss and trees. Dogs aren’t allowed, but the visitor center nearby has wheelchair rentals to make the trail more accessible for everyone.
With its misty atmosphere and ancient trees, it’s no wonder the region has inspired legends like Bigfoot.


Ready to explore the Hall of Mosses? Because you bet your Yeti, we’re ready!
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The Scenic Drive to the Hall of Mosses
The drive to the Hall of Mosses might be relatively short, but it’s full of winding roads and gorgeous views. From Forks, it’s about 30 miles and takes around 50 minutes. Since we stayed at Mossquatch Resort which is farther west of Forks, our drive was closer to 40 miles and took about an hour and 10 minutes.

If you’re planning to spend the night nearby, check out accommodation options in Forks.
Along the drive, we pulled off to the side of the road to enjoy more of the beautiful foliage of the rainforest. From the green ferns on the ground to the green moss covering the trees, you are just surrounded by green!
But here’s the thing: we made the mistake of leaving too late in the day. Thinking it wouldn’t be crazy busy towards the end of July, we left our tent around noon. Big mistake. By the time we reached the Hoh Rain Forest sign, we hit a traffic jam that didn’t budge. Turns out, the Hall of Mosses is extremely popular (seriously, very popular), and parking fills up fast.

If you’re planning to visit, we can’t stress enough the importance of getting there as early as possible. The later you arrive, the more likely you are to face a 1-3 hour wait just to park. Trust us—setting an early alarm is totally worth it!
Since the line wasn’t moving, we decided to turn around and make the most of our day by exploring more of the Washington coast. We hiked the trails at Mossquatch Resort and brought our pups to the dog-friendly Rialto Beach.
The next day, we were determined not to repeat our mistake. We set our alarms for 7am and made it to the Hall of Moss by 9am—a much better plan!
If you do end up stuck in line, we noticed some porta potties along the side of the road before you reach the park entrance. Though, those may not always be there.
Important Update: Since December 2024, the Upper Hoh Road and the Hoh Rain Forest area have been closed due to a washout at milepost 9.7. The visitor center is also closed for winter but is expected to reopen in March 2025.
Where to Park
After you make it through the park entrance, you’ll come up to the visitor center on your left and the parking lot on your right. Even though we got there pretty early (around 9am), the parking lot was already full. We had to turn around and park along the side of the road instead.

A few things to keep in mind about parking:
- Get there early: The earlier, the better. Even at 9am in late July, the lot filled up fast.
- Roadside parking: If the lot’s full, you can park along the road. Just make sure you’re in one of the allowed spots.
- Expect a walk: If you do park on the road, be ready for a little extra walking to the Hall of Mosses trailhead.
- Carpool if you can: Fewer cars means more chances to park in the main lot.
Once you’ve found your parking spot, you’re just a short walk away from the Hall of Mosses Trailhead.
Hiking the Hall of Mosses
Before you even reach the trailhead, you’ll pass by the visitor center, which is open daily throughout the summer. When we visited, there were plenty of families out exploring the trail with us. Just a heads-up, though—no dogs are allowed on the trails in the Hoh.
Since the trail is more accessibility- and family-focused, we didn’t bring any of our usual hiking gear, like hiking poles or backpacks. But you’ll definitely want to bring your camera for some Hall of Mosses trail photos! We found our wide-angle lenses most useful. If you arrive at sunrise or sunset, you can probably capture some beautiful shots of the sunlight filtering through the trees!

The Hall of Mosses Trail isn’t so much a hike as it is a non-guided exploration. It’s a one-mile loop that takes about 25 minutes to walk, so it’s perfect if you’re looking for a quick but unforgettable experience. There are benches along the trail to take in the view and plaques explaining what you’re looking at.
Let me tell you, it really feels like stepping onto another planet. With the Hoh Rainforest receiving up to 170 inches of rain a year, the ground is covered in ferns, and the trees are absolutely draped in moss! Though, when we visited towards the end of July, we were surprised to find it was actually raining much more along the coast than in the rainforest. But that’s probably just down to coincidence.

One of the most memorable moments was when we heard another visitor shout, “You need to see this MASSIVE slug!” And sure enough, there it was—a HUGE banana slug. Speaking of wildlife, while we didn’t spot any salmon during our visit, you can sometimes find them swimming in Taft Creek, especially when crossing the footbridge.
The short hike really was beautiful. There was even a point where we passed under a tree that formed an arch over the trail. Super cool!


What Else to See in the Area
If you’ve got some extra time, there’s more to check out nearby. You can hike the Spruce Nature Trail or the Hoh River Trail, which are both right around the corner. And while you’re in the area, you definitely want to swing by La Push and Ruby Beach, too.

Our Takeaway
Walking the Hall of Mosses is like stepping into a completely different world—one filled with moisture in the air and moss-covered trees. If you’re in for a quick walk through a beautiful rainforest, it’s definitely worth the stop.
If you’re planning your visit, make sure you get there early to avoid the long entrance line and find a good parking spot. And don’t forget your camera! Trust me, you’ll want to capture the beauty of the trail.
If you’ve got questions or want to share your own Hall of Mosses experience, comment below or connect with us on social media. We’d love to hear from you!
Ready to explore more? Check out our other travel guides to the Northwest and gear tips to help you get the most out of your next adventure.
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