## Overview

The Hoh Rain Forest, pronounced "Hoe", earns its name from the ever-flowing Hoh River that carves its way from Mount Olympus towards the Pacific Coast. However, where the name originates, is up for debate. The word "Hoh" undoubtedly comes from Native American languages; possibly the Quileute word "Ohalet" which means "fast moving water" or "snow water." Since the river itself forms from glacial runoff, that origin seems straightforward. Other explanations state that the Quinault word "Qu," meaning "boundary," could be the root of the name as a river as massive as the Hoh certainly forms a formidable boundary across the landscape. A third consideration claims that the word "Hoh" translates to "man with quarreling wives." What the actual history behind the name is, appears to be lost to time. 

Regardless of the name, there's no question as to the allure that draws visitors back to the rainforest year after year. Throughout the winter season, rain falls frequently in the Hoh Rain Forest, contributing to the yearly average of 140 inches (3.55 meters) of precipitation each year. The result is a lush, green canopy of both coniferous and deciduous species. Mosses and ferns that blanket the surfaces add another dimension to the enchantment of the rainforest. 

## Recreation

The trailhead for this area is located next to the Hoh Rainforest Visitor Center, which is a great place for more information. The staff there can give you ideas for your visit and exhibits will help explain what makes this area so special. The visitor center is open daily during the summer, closed January through early March, and generally open Friday through Sunday during the spring and fall seasons (hours may vary according to season). 

The area offers two short loop trails as well as an out-and-back trail through the forest near the Visitor Center. 

The Hall of Mosses Trail (.8 miles/ 1.2 km) is an iconic loop that takes you through old growth forest and features a grove of maples trees draped with abundant club moss. 

The Spruce Nature Trail (1.2 miles/ 1.9 km) is a diverse trail that loops through both old and new growth forest as you walk alongside Taft Creek and the Hoh River. 

The Hoh River trail is the area's main hiking trail. This out-and-back trail can be taken as far as one desires. Taken all the way, it leads past multiple camping areas, the last being Glacier Meadows at 17.3 miles (27.8 km), and ultimately ends 18.5 miles/ 30 km out at the Blue Glacier moraine looking up at Mt. Olympus. The Hoh Lake trail branches off from the Hoh River trail just after the ranger station and ascends to Bogachiel Peak between the Hoh and the Sol Duc Valley. For those wanting to explore this area as a day hike, there are additional popular turn-around points along the trail. 

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) 

**All backcountry permits must be reserved online.** To get permits and more information on backpacking along the Hoh River Trail and throughout Olympic National Park, visit the Wilderness (Backcountry) Reservations page: https://www.recreation.gov/permits/4098362 

**Pets are not allowed on trails in the Hoh Rain Forest**. Pets are allowed on leash in developed areas such as the campground, picnic areas, and parking lots. Visit our Pets page for more information on where you can take your pet in the park: https://www.nps.gov/olym/planyourvisit/pets.htm

## Facilities

Hoh Campground is a large facility with 72 campsites, including one group site and one ADA accessible site. Each site has a campfire ring and picnic table. Food lockers and drinking water are available at campground loop restrooms. There are no RV hookups at this facility. The dump station and fill station are closed indefinitely. The nearest shower facility is Bogachiel State Park (23 miles one way) and payment is required. The nearest dump and fill stations are Bogachiel State Park (23 miles north) or Kalaloch campground (33 miles south), and payment is required. Campers can purchase firewood in the B-loop near the campground host sites (June through September only), however firewood supplies are limited and are first-come, first-serve. 

## Natural Features

The Hoh Rain Forest is located in the stretch of the Pacific Northwest rainforest which once spanned the Pacific coast from southeastern Alaska to the central coast of California. The Hoh is one of the finest remaining examples of temperate rainforest in the United States and is one of the park's most popular destinations. 

## Nearby Attractions

Olympic National Park has much to explore, including temperate rain forests, ocean shores, sub-alpine mountains, lakes and more. The towns of Queets, Quinault, and Forks are within a 45 minute to a 90 minute drive.

Hoh Rain Forest - Olympic National Park

In Northwest Washington, you’ll find one of the most popular parks in the US, Olympic National Park. Located near Port Angeles, WA, this expansive park embodies the best of the PNW. If you want to enjoy camping in some of the best greenery in the country, this is the place you want to hike.

There are a number of developed campgrounds in the park, with just a few (Kalaloch, Sol Duc, Hoh, and Mora) offering summer reservations. With a variety of campsites throughout the park, you can find a spot that best fits your schedule and interests. Nine of these campgrounds are RV-capable, though Olympic has some rough roads that RV’s may struggle on. The best camping near Olympic is in the park itself though there are some dispersed options surrounding the park and a few small cities to stay in.

Olympic National Park

Join the fun near Olympic National Park. With tons of outdoor activities and scenic camping, this is an excellent vacation spot for all kinds of travelers. Olympic National Park is a great camping destination for everyone. There are tons of nearby hikes, adventurous activities, and sights to see. Discover great camping spots near Olympic National Park, reviewed by campers like you.

The Best Camping Near Olympic National Park, Washington

I don't know why I was so underwhelmed by this place, but I think it can be attributed to the multiple retail shops, haphazard RV parking and unkempt, close knit tent sites. It felt very congested and very exposed. 

The things Hoh have going for it: it's a rain forest with amazing vegetation and riverside sites (that seem to fill fast).

Mehhhhhhh...

More green than you have ever seen! Towering trees dripping with moss. Photo opportunities abound. It was of course raining for part of trip but that only added to the ambiance. Great trails and just a short drive to the rocky washington beaches as well.

A surreal beauty!

Really haven't been anywhere else like this. The huge  trees and the quiet are immensely satisfying. The campground itself has somewhat small sites, but that is only where you sleep. Once you get out on the trails, the wildlife is insane. We saw all kinds of insects, the river itself is pretty, but cold.  There are 18 miles of trail, and you can camp on some spots down the trail, I passed because of the bears.  Can't explain how magical this place is. Can't wait to go back.

Spectacular

The campgrounds itself are a delight. Running streams, walking paths, mountain views, wild animals. Olympic National Park has it all. This campground is next to the Hoh rainforest, however, it isn't actually in the forest itself. It is forested but much more open than expected. The bathrooms are not bad but not modern. Each spot has a great view and spacing is decent, especially for a national park campground. We will be back but this campground was not our favorite. Keep in mind that there isn't any food stores or restaurants in this part of the park and is about a 45 minute drive to the nearest store. 

National Park Camnpground

Banana Slugs, Giant old growth trees, and wonderful hiking trails. The rainforest is a magical sot to explore and is highly recommended. We went about 5 miles up the main trail to the waterfall and turned around because of the rain. You have shorter trails to explore and everything is extremely well kept. The parking lot at the visitors center is smaller so arrive early. 

Magical Rainforest

one of the best campgrounds i've ever stayed in. loop C has some of the best sites along the HOH river. you have views of the forest, mountains and river with NO OBSTRUCTION. definitely 5 star views, you can't beat it. this is a first come first serve campgrounds. i came july 4th weekend and was still able to snag what i thought was the best campsite there. just be sure to arrive before noon to get a decent spot.

HOH campground - site C46

Visiting the Hoh Rainforest during your time in Mount Rainier is a must - and beyond hiking a few trails, a great way to immerse yourself in the rainforest is to sleep in it.

The Hoh Campground is a scenic, lush campground that was plenty empty in early May. We had a very pleasant stay here since we were arriving in the area in the evening but not hiking into the Hoh until the next day.

Olympic is a huge, spread-out park with plenty of activities to entertain everyone. Even though we visited during the early season, when most mountain activities were inaccessible, we found so many trails to hike and things to do in the low-elevation areas.

Some of our favorite activities included: driving up to Hurricane Ridge, hiking to Storm King Mountain, backpacking on the coast to Toleak Point, and hiking the Hall of Mosses Trail in the Hoh Rainforest.

You can read much more about our five days in the park on our blog: [Switchback Kids (Olympic)](http://switchbackkids.com/olympic/)

Lush & serene spring camping experience

It rained the 2 days we where there. When we turned up no one was there and a elk was standing in our camp site. Was super cool. We went early season so they were still cleaning up the sites. No showers on site. Cool hiking trails close by. Big river would be some nice fishing

Wet but amazing 

This is the thick rainforest you picture when you think of the PNW. It is a pretty basic campsite, but they do have some ranger programs. No reservations taken. We stayed one night when our backpacking trip took an extra day. After visiting we read about the salmon run in the area and would love to come back to see that sometime!! There are many more campgrounds in the area if this one is full, most are pretty similar from what we’ve experienced.

PNW beauty in Olympic NP 

If you are staying overnight at Hoh Rainforest, this campground delivers a magical experience. Loop A offers more open camping with less tree cover. As you move to loops B and C you enter the forest and get to open your tent door to a view out of a ferry tale or perhaps Jurassic Park depending on your perspective with the dangling moss and we’ll established forest. $20/night, clean bathrooms with flush toilets to boot. Loved our overnight and would recommend if you want to spend a day hiking the Hoh river trail.

Overnight in the Enchanted Forest

Nice campground with spacious and large sites around the perimeter of loop B. Close to the river, visitor center, and beautiful hikes. The coast and beaches are about an hour drive from the campground. 

Running water with flush toilets were nice and clean. No showers but the rain can do that for you. 

Quiet and Spacious...and Wet 

very wet, but adds to the rainforest effect. 

Gorgeously Wet. 

Nice hikes, the campground was crowded and not very private.

Nice, but...

Despite always being full and super busy during the Summer; this is a must see! Some of the best stargazing I have ever done in my life.

Absolutely beautiful 

This is a first come first serve campground, and the good spots fill up by about 3pm, so if you want the choice spots right on the river, get there between 11a and 3pm. The drive in to the campground is nothing short of magical. I kept expecting fairies and unicorns to cross the road. While we didn’t see any mystical creatures, we did see elk, ducklings, slugs, deer, and ravens.

Great for car camping and families, with drive up campsites, restrooms with flush toilets and potable water easily accessible.

Town of Forks is nearby if you want to leave the rainforest for a moment.

The Hoh River is easily accessible from the campground.

There is a $30 fee for a 7 day pass to get in to the National Forest Land in addition to the $20 per night for the campsite. So, the longer you stay, the more you get your money’s worth.

Camp hosts were knowledgeable and friendly.

Its A Freaking Rainforest!

amazing. will return. hiked in a few miles and saw a lot of cool sights. 

This campground feels like you are taking a step back into time or being part of Jurassic Park. There are many spots right along the river which you can place a smaller(less than 25’) travel trailer or RV. Each spot has its own landscape and plenty of space from your neighbors. This campground does not take reservations as its first come first serve. There also are not any hook-ups for water, sewer or electrical. The weather has its own climate and we stayed in early August and temperatures stayed around the 65-70’s during the day and a little cooler at night. We would come back here again!

  

Check out our blog at [www.unnamedadventures.com](http://www.unnamedadventures.com) and follow our journey on [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/unnamedadventures) and [Instagram](https://instagram.com/unnamedadventures) or on our [YouTube Channel](https://www.youtube.com/unnamedadventures) at Unnamed Adventures.

Feels like you are camping in Jurassic Park!!!

We absolutely loved our stay here (9/5-9/7)! We arrived on a weekday and the campground was fairly empty, so we were able to grab a great spot in the A loop with easy access to the restrooms and the trails to the visitor center. The campground is first come, first serve, dry camping, and the dump station was out of service while we were there. 

There are both back-in and pull- through sites with concrete pads, fire rings, and picnic tables. Some tight turns and low-hanging trees but our 32’ fifth wheel managed just fine. Plenty of wildlife, including deer, rabbits, birds, squirrels, and numerous banana slugs. 

The visitor is an easy walk from the campground. The hiking trails were simply gorgeous and we definitely did not stay long enough to thoroughly enjoy this area of Olympic National Park. 

Nearby Forks, WA is a 45 minute drive from the campground. 

Two bars of Verizon LTE but it varied throughout the park. 

A note about the drive in: We are very glad we arrived on a weekday! The road into this campground is narrow, and there were times we were driving over the centerline to keep our rig on the road. There is no shoulder for most of the drive and we did not want to meet any oncoming traffic with a rig as long as ours. It’s doable but take it slow!

Just gorgeous!

The absolute closest campground you will find in the Hoh Rainforest to the most iconic trails in all the rainforest, the onsite campground is one which truly is a gem in Olympic National Park.

Because of its location prepare for rain!!  I planned a stay here only to find I was basically rained out of my initial site which was slushy and slimy.    On a good day however this campground really shines!!  And when you are preparing if you prepare with an additional tarp you can still comfortably sleep here without issue in a tent.   

I did see the advantage of those who were in hard sides however.  They stay could be much more universal than it is in a tent as there would be no assembly.   Sometimes in this area it can rain for days on end so a tent can pose an issue within those circumstances even with a tarp shelter.    

Personally I would recommend checking the weather for the slightly less rainy season if tent camping based on my own personal experience.    

Overall the facilities were clean and nice and offered standard amenities.   However the restrooms seemed to be heated a bit which was very nice.

My favorite part of this campground however was the proximity to the trails.   At any time you could venture a couple hundred yards and be in the middle of something spectacular.   Green isn't even the color, it is beyond that it is electric.   

You also have a very high chance of an elk sighting in this area is you are quiet, which is beyond words if you enjoy photography.   Just take heed from the visitor center on proper safety measures however.

Walk To The Trails

While the park itself is smaller than you would imagine, the campground it provides is simply amazing! You’re definitely in a rain forest, but there’s also a beautiful blue waters of the river nearby and some mountain views. You’re super close to the visitor center and the trails at the Park provides. The bathroom facilities here were also great, you have plumbed toilets and showers! They sold firewood at the campground which was convenient for us. Would recommend getting here early as it fills up pretty fast

Amazing!!

**Big update as of spring 2021: Hoh is now a reservation campground.**

First of all, what a privilege it is to stay in such a unique and beautiful place like Hoh!

Campsites are either a huge hit or a huge miss. Because so many people are visiting and camping during COVID, we were unable to get a good spot the first night. The spot we had was virtually impossible. The tent pad was extremely lumpy and there was nowhere level to set up. Fire ring and table crowded in together. Rocks everywhere. No privacy from neighbors and we really felt like we were on display. 

The good news is that because Hoh is so high traffic, people seem to come and go quickly. The next morning we were able to snag a river spot and it was easily one of the best sites! Huge site, lots of privacy. However, once again there were rocks everywhere! It was shockingly hard to drive in our tent stakes (and take them out!). We had to dig out rocks for about ten minutes before getting everything secure.

Being on the river was amazing. Though one downside is that it's such a cool little area, people were walking through the back of our site a lot. It was also a great place to view stars. 

Another thing to be aware of is not only can it rain (in a rainforest!), it can get pretty cold at Hoh. Our first night was 46 degrees.

UPDATE-NOW RESERVABLE-Get here early for a good site

Absolutely breathtaking trail and campsites! There are 71 of em, but not all are the same. The one we were was GRRRREAT. It was off the trail a bit to the left, so no people coming by. Highly recommend. Be sure to bring bug spray. There may be bears, but the bug spray will help with nasty bites from those little buggers. 😉🐨

Beautiful ❤️

This was a great experience for a night. Not sure I would want to stay longer, to be honest; it is a bit gloomy and mosquitoes reign supreme. But the atmosphere is so radically different than anywhere else I’ve camped, even in the immediate area.

Most sites are first come first served and there were about 40% vacant when I arrived at 5 PM on a weekday during the summertime. If this doesn’t work, there are plenty of other backup options in the area.

Otherworldly

The Hoh rainforest is beautiful, quiet, and peaceful. However, the campground is below standards even for national parks which are not the best. This is typical primitive style but without potable hose bibs and they no longer have a dump site. Their way of getting people into sites that are not reserved (including no-shows and cancellations) is bonkers. It’s even worse than just using Recreation.gov. The bathrooms are inadequate for the number of sites in each loop and they are dirty. They don’t provide soap in the bathrooms so you have to bring your own. Bathrooms get a C-

  

 There is only one camp host for all three loops and that host wasn’t even on site for the two nights I was here. When I did see them on the morning I left, they didn’t do anything but sit outside their trailer. Verizon coverage is poor and there is only one small open area in loop A where you can use Starlink. The sites are small and the privacy is marginal.

Poorly Managed

This campsite was basic. The site we stayed at was right next to the neighbor which was comforting as we set up our tent quite late at night. I have never actually witnessed a bear at a campsite till this one, so bring your bear spray and keep your car locked. We heard bears outside our tent one of the two nights we stayed. The ground was very uneven as well. It was a two-minute drive to the Hoh River trail. A cute trail that shows the mossy trees, a nearby river, as well as a small waterfall/creek for a good 6-ish mile walk there and back. The bathrooms were ok and there was a water picket right next to the bathrooms. There is a super cute family-run cafe where you can buy firewood, merchandise, as well as a variety of food and coffee. The cafe is called Hard Rain Cafe. Highly recommend stopping to visit while leaving the campsite. About a 10-15 min drive toward the coast. We visited Ruby Beach to watch the sunset one night which was a 45 min drive. We had so much fun at the beach.

Basic campsite but close to trails 

Well located on the west side of the park that presents good access to the rain forest and the coast line, beaches and rock pools. It does take time, though, to get to Hurricane ridge and the Strait of Juan de Fuca. 

Photos of Hoh Rain Forest - Olympic National Park

Real photos from real campers