Hoh Rainforest: A Completely Unhinged Guide for Twilight Fans and Nature Nerds

Last Updated on January 26, 2026 by Charlotte

Nothing says “Hoh Rainforest” quite like Hoa Hoa Hoa Hoa Hoa (Twilight Fans, are you with me?). Deep in the Olympic Peninsula, Hoh Rainforest feels like another planet. Here, the branches of the trees are draped with blankets of moss, and the forest floor is dominated by ferns and lichens. While walking along the trails like the hall of mosses, if you peer very carefully into the understory, you might see a fat banana slug (not edible), or catch a glimpse of a passing sparkle (Edward, is that you?), or maybe it’s just a trick of the light. In this blog post, we’ll share everything you need to know to plan your own visit to Hoh Rainforest.

For everyone who did not read the Twilight Books, I deeply apologize in advance. I am sick with a fever, and my brain is a little loopy today, and I couldn’t pass up a fun exposé on the town of Forks and Hoh Rainforest and vampires and werewolves.

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Why Hoh Rainforest Should Be on Your Bucket List (Right After You “Learn to Sparkle”)

In all honesty, I may have “forgotten” to mention to my travel buddy that we were basically embarking on a vampire pilgrimage to Hoh Rainforest until we rolled up in Forks and EVERYTHING WAS VAMPIRE THEMED. His face when he realized we’d driven 4 hours to visit fictional vampire territory? Priceless. Sorry, Travel Buddy. Sometimes the best adventures happen when you don’t know what you’ve signed up for! Listen, Edward Cullen may have put Hoh Rainforest on the map for a generation of vampire-obsessed teens (myself included, no shame), but Hoh Rainforest was serving mysterious forest vibes LONG before Bella Swan ever discovered that her boyfriend was basically a walking disco ball.

This temperate rainforest gets over 140 inches (3.5 meters) of rain annually. That’s nearly 12 feet of water falling from the sky each year, which honestly sounds like my personal nightmare but is apparently what trees consider “optimal living conditions.”

It’s like nature’s own version of a really aggressive shower head that never turns off. The ancient Sitka spruces and western hemlocks here can live over 500 years, which means they’ve been judging humans longer than most vampires have been brooding about their immortal existence. These towering giants create a cathedral-like canopy, coated with incredible tendrils and textures of mosses and lichens.

How To Get To Hoh Rainforest

Unlike our favorite vampire family, who could literally just run there at superhuman speed (what show-offs), you’ll need actual transportation. Hoh Rainforest is located about 90 minutes south of Port Angeles, which gives you plenty of time to practice your brooding face in the rearview mirror. We recommend renting a car, as public transit does not directly service the Hoh Rainforest visitor’s center.

Hoh Rainforest Essential Visiting Information

• Address: Hoh Rainforest Visitor Center, 18113 Upper Hoh Rd, Forks, WA 98331
• Hours: Visitor center typically open 9 AM – 5 PM (but honestly, the trees are available 24/7)
• Cost: National Park pass is required ($30 for 7 days, or the annual America the Beautiful Pass). *** Note that they DO NOT accept cash!
• Official Website: nps.gov/olym
• Emergency Contact: Your mom, because you definitely didn’t tell anyone you were going to wander around in a mystical forest looking for vampires

Where To Stop Along The Way To Hoh Rainforest

Hoh Rainforest may be magical, but it’s also ridiculously remote. Once you turn off Highway 101, you’ve got 18 miles of winding road into the forest with zero gas stations, food, or functioning espresso machines. Translation: you need to plan your pit stops carefully or risk going full feral by the time you reach the trailhead. The two main supply stops are Port Angeles (a full-service town) and Forks (a vampire-themed fever dream with surprisingly decent coffee). Here’s what you need to know:

Port Angeles

This is your last major hub before you plunge into the forested unknown. It’s got grocery stores, gas stations, restaurants, and real bathrooms, all of which are luxuries that become distant dreams once you enter the wilderness zone that is the Olympic Peninsula. If you forgot to pack snacks, water, bug spray, or that one emotional support granola bar you always think you won’t need (you will), this is the time to fix that. Because the Hoh Rainforest is kind of isolated, you’ll want to plan your pit stops in advance.

We recommend:

• Fueling up (both your car and your body)
• Buying extra snacks (especially if you’re doing longer hikes as there are no vending machines in the Hall of Mosses, unfortunately)
• Using a flush toilet one last time (because the rainforest’s composting toilets are… character building)

Also, if you’re prone to motion sickness, this is a good place to prep: the road from Port Angeles to Hoh includes plenty of winding, nausea-optional moments through tree-lined terrain.

The Town of Forks

Gas up in Forks! It’s your last reliable fuel stop, and running out of gas in the middle of vampire territory is way less romantic than Stephenie Meyer made it seem. Plus, AAA probably doesn’t cover “stranded while searching for sparkly boys in the woods.” Even if you’re not into vampire lore, Forks is worth a quick wander. It’s weird, sincere, slightly awkward, and the only place nearby where you’ll find hot coffee, hot food, and a working bathroom before Hoh Rainforest. In Forks, the vibe is less “quaint mountain town” and more “what happens when a pop culture phenomenon eats a town alive. They even have guided vampire tours!

A Note On Some Olympic Peninsula Quirks Relating to Coffee

While you’re in the Olympic Peninsula, you’ll encounter one of Washington’s most… unique cultural phenomena: drive-through coffee stands staffed by bikini baristas. Yes, you read that correctly. This is apparently a thing here. I personally prefer my baristas fully clothed, but imagine our absolute HORROR when we innocently rolled up to get an americano and our barista was… let’s say “embracing the Pacific Northwest’s clothing-optional coffee culture.”

The Best Trails in Hoh Rainforest (aka the Most Magical Places to Get Rained On)

No matter which trail you choose, you’re basically stepping into a Studio Ghibli movie filmed during the wettest season imaginable. These paths wind through cathedral-like groves, over squishy roots, and beneath moss-covered giants that look like they’re mid-whisper. Whether you’re up for a 45-minute fairy-tale loop or a multi-day trek into the mountains, the Hoh has a trail that will soak your socks and your soul.

The Hall of Mosses Trail (0.8 miles of Pure Magic)

This is the Beyoncé of rainforest trails and everyone comes here to see the headliner. It’s an easy loop that showcases the area’s most photographable moss-draped trees, which is perfect because let’s be honest, if you didn’t post about it, did you really commune with nature?

The trail is wheelchair accessible, making it perfect for vampire wannabes who prefer their nature experiences with minimal physical exertion. (Looking at you, Edward, with your “I’m too brooding to break a sweat” energy.) You’ll spend about 45 minutes here, although that time may extend significantly if you’re posing for photos or waiting for other tourists to move out of your shot.

Pro Tip: The moss here is so thick that if you squint, every tree looks like it’s wearing a really extra feather boa. This observation will either enhance or completely ruin your nature experience, depending on your sense of humor.

Spruce Nature Trail (1.2 miles of “Are We There Yet?”)

Slightly longer but equally enchanting, this trail takes you deeper into the rainforest and ends at the Hoh River. The sound of rushing water adds to the mystical atmosphere, although I can confirm it’s just regular H2O and not anything supernatural, despite what your imagination might suggest after reading too many vampire novels.

This trail is perfect for people who want to feel accomplished without actually accomplishing much. It’s the participation trophy of hiking trails, and I mean that in the most loving way possible.

Hoh River Trail (17 Miles for the Overachievers)

The Hoh River Trail extends 17 miles into the Olympic Mountains, eventually reaching the base of Mount Olympus (no, not THAT Mount Olympus with Zeus and Hades, the other one). This is serious hiking territory that requires permits for overnight camping and the kind of physical fitness that would make Jacob Black proud.

If you attempt this, you’re basically channeling your inner werewolf, which means you’re Team Jacob whether you like it or not. I don’t make the rules.

Best Time to Visit Hoh Rainforest: Embrace Your Inner Goth

This place is moody 365 days a year, which is exactly why it’s perfect for anyone who’s ever sympathized with a fictional vampire. However, some times are more comfortable for those of us who can’t survive on blood alone:

• Summer (June-September): The “Tourist Invasion” Season. Driest months with the best weather, but also when everyone and their mother decides to visit. It’s like the forest’s version of rush hour, except instead of traffic, you’re stuck behind slow-walking families taking 47 photos of the same moss-covered log. Summer is perfect for your visit if you actually want to see the trails without needing to waterproof everything, but prepare to share your mystical forest experience with approximately 8,000 other people who also read travel blogs.
• Fall (October-November): “Moody Autumn Vibes” Era Gorgeous autumn colors and fewer crowds, though rain picks up significantly. This is when the forest really leans into its dramatic aesthetic. Bring waterproof everything, and I mean EVERYTHING. Your socks will thank you later.
• Winter (December-February): “Peak Vampire Season” Maximum atmospheric moodiness with rain that makes Seattle look like a desert. Limited daylight hours make this perfect for anyone who’s ever wished they were nocturnal. It’s basically the forest’s emo phase, and honestly, we’re here for it. Fair warning: You will get wet. You will get cold. You will question your life choices. But the photos will be incredible, and isn’t that what really matters?
• Spring (March-May): “Nature’s Comeback Tour” Wildflowers bloom and everything is lush and green, though still quite wet because apparently this forest has commitment issues with dryness. It’s like the forest’s redemption arc after winter’s dramatic spiral.

What to Pack: Survival Kit for Vampire Cosplayers

Unlike our immortal friends, who apparently don’t need supplies (must be nice), you’ll need actual gear to survive this adventure:

The Essentials (AKA “Things The Cullens Never Had to Worry About”):

• Rain gear: I cannot stress this enough. The forest does not care about your cute outfit. Bring a rain jacket that could survive a hurricane, or prepare to look like a drowned rat in all your nature photos.
• Waterproof boots: The trails can be muddy even in summer. Those cute white sneakers you wore? They’re brown now. Congratulations, you’ve been baptized by forest mud.
• Layers: It can be surprisingly cool under that canopy, because apparently trees are nature’s air conditioning system.
• Camera/Phone: Those moss-draped trees won’t photograph themselves, and trust me, your friends need to see this ridiculousness.
• Portable charger: Cell service is about as reliable as Edward’s emotional stability, but you’ll want battery life for the 847 photos you’re definitely going to take.
• Snacks: You’ll work up an appetite hiking (unlike certain blood-drinking characters who shall remain nameless but rhyme with “Sedward”).
• Water: Stay hydrated with regular H2O. I know, revolutionary concept.

The “Just in Case” Items:

• Tissues: For when the beauty makes you cry, or when your nose starts running from the cold and damp.
• Hand sanitizer: Because touching moss is fun until you remember what else lives in forests.
• Sense of humor: Essential for when you realize you’re essentially paying money to walk around and look at really aggressive plant life.

Nearby Attractions For the Full Vampire Tourism Experience

Forks: Where Dreams Go to Die (Beautifully)

No self-respecting Twilight pilgrimage is complete without visiting the actual town of Forks, population 3,500 and definitely zero vampires (despite what the tourism board’s marketing might suggest). This town has embraced its fictional fame harder than a teenager embraces their emo phase. You can visit Bella’s truck (yes, really), eat at the diner where Charlie Swan probably had coffee, and buy more vampire-themed merchandise than any reasonable person should own. It’s beautiful. It’s ridiculous. It’s everything you didn’t know you needed.

La Push: Werewolf Territory (Sparkle-Free Zone)

Don’t miss La Push, home to the Quileute Tribe and the supposed werewolf hangout in the books. The rugged coastline here is absolutely breathtaking and worth the detour, just don’t expect to see any shape-shifters, no matter how hard you squint at the treeline. The beach here is the kind of moody, dramatic coastline that makes you want to stand on rocks and contemplate your existence while the wind dramatically blows your hair.

Where to Stay: Accommodations That May or May Not Include Wildlife Roommates

Let’s talk lodging options, because after a day of vampire tourism and questionable coffee experiences, you’ll need somewhere to sleep that hopefully doesn’t involve actual danger.

Local B&Bs and Inns: The “Rustic Charm” Experience

The Olympic Peninsula is full of charming bed and breakfasts that offer that authentic Pacific Northwest experience. You know, the kind where the owner casually mentions they have a “resident bear” and suggests you maybe don’t go outside after dark? Wait what?

Camping: For the Truly Brave (or Foolish)

You can camp in Olympic National Park, which is perfect if you want the full “one with nature” experience. Just remember that “nature” includes things with teeth and claws that are bigger than you and may view your tent as a fun, crinkly snack wrapper.

Want to Camp in Olympic National Park?

If you’re braver than us and want to sleep under the misty canopy of ancient trees (and possibly within growling distance of a bear), you’ll need to plan ahead.

• Hoh Campground is the closest option to the rainforest trails and books up quickly in summer.
• Backcountry Permits are required for longer treks with camping like the Hoh River Trail, yes, even if you think you’re immortal.

Forks Lodging: Vampire-Adjacent Accommodations

Forks has several hotels and motels that have fully leaned into the Twilight theme. You can literally stay at places with names like “Dazzled by Twilight” (I’m not making this up). It’s gloriously ridiculous and exactly what you’d expect from a town that’s built its entire tourism industry around fictional vampires.

Pro Tip: book early during peak vampire season (aka summer), because apparently there are more Twilight fans in the world than any of us anticipated, and they all want to sleep where Edward Cullen supposedly brooded.

Pro Tips for Maximum Forest Magic At Hoh Rainforest

Arrive Early or Embrace Chaos

Get there early to beat the crowds and catch the forest at its most ethereal, when the morning mist creates an almost supernatural atmosphere. Or show up at peak tourist time and embrace the chaos—sometimes the best adventures happen when nothing goes according to plan.

Master the Art of Admiring Forest Ambiance

This place has its own soundtrack of dripping water, bird calls, and rustling leaves. Listen to it. Absorb it. Let it wash over you like a nature-themed meditation app, except it’s free and smells like dirt (in a good way).

Practice Your Upward Gaze

Don’t just focus on the famous moss at eye level. Look up at the canopy—it creates incredible patterns of light and shadow that change throughout the day. Plus, looking up automatically makes your photos more artistic and mysterious.

Find Your Inner Moss-o-Log

Locate a moss-covered log to sit on and just exist for a while. This is not Instagram content, this is just food for your soul. Although let’s be honest, you’ll probably Instagram it anyway, and that’s okay too.

Embrace the Wet

You will get damp. You will get a little muddy. Your hair will do things you didn’t know were physically possible. This is not a bug, it’s a feature. You’re getting the full Pacific Northwest experience, which includes being slightly soggy at all times.

The Science-y Bit About Hoh Rainforest (For When You Need to Sound Smart)

This temperate rainforest exists because of a perfect storm of geographical factors that sound boring but are actually pretty incredible: The Olympic Mountains create a “rain shadow effect” that dumps all the moisture from Pacific storms right here, creating this weird little pocket of rainforest vibes in the middle of Washington state. The trees here form a complex ecosystem that is found in few other places on earth. The moss you’re obsessing over? It’s an entire micro-ecosystem supporting hundreds of tiny organisms. You’re basically walking through a living, breathing miniature world.

Fun Forest Facts to Impress Your Friends

• Some of these trees were growing when Shakespeare was writing about actual star-crossed lovers
• The moss can hold up to 3 times its weight in water (making it nature’s most efficient sponge)
• This ecosystem supports over 300 bird species (none of which are vampires, unfortunately)

Final Thoughts: Team Forest Forever

Whether you’re Team Edward, Team Jacob, or Team “I Just Wanted to See Some Cool Trees But Got Emotionally Invested in Plant Life,” Hoh Rainforest delivers an experience that will stick with you long after you’ve dried off and returned to civilization. This ancient ecosystem was creating magic millions of years before Stephenie Meyer put pen to paper, and it will continue to enchant visitors long after the last Twilight meme dies a peaceful death on the internet. It’s bigger than any fictional vampire saga because it’s nature doing what nature does best, which is being absolutely extra about everything and somehow making it work.

So pack your rain gear, embrace the inevitable dampness, and prepare to fall in love with one of America’s most ridiculously photogenic forests. No sparkling required, though if you happen to catch some light filtering through the canopy just right, you might achieve a natural sparkle effect that would make Edward Cullen jealous. And hey, if you DO happen to spot any unusually pale, suspiciously attractive hikers who seem uncomfortable in direct sunlight, just remember: they’re probably just really committed cosplayers with excellent sunscreen routines. Probably. But if they start sparkling, I want photos.

Disclaimer: No actual vampires were harmed (or found) in the making of this blog post. Side effects of visiting Hoh Rainforest may include: sudden urges to move to the Pacific Northwest, inexplicable knowledge about moss varieties, the uncontrollable desire to recommend this place to everyone you meet, and potential exposure to Washington’s unique coffee culture (clothing optional, apparently). We are not responsible for any life-changing revelations that may occur while staring at really old trees, nor are we responsible for the psychological trauma that may result from encountering topless baristas when you just wanted a cappuccino. Travel Buddy, if you’re reading this, I’m still sorry I did not read the google reviews before choosing a coffee stop. But also, it makes for a great story now, right? Right??

Planning your own trip to the Hoh Rainforest? Have questions about trails, Twilight stops, or what not to do when there’s a bear in the parking lot? Drop them in the comments, or just tell me which vampire clan you’d want on your hiking team.