Hoh River Trail: How To Get The Most Out Of The Most Beautiful Forest Trail In The U.S.

The small town of Forks, Washington usually conjures up images of Twilight-esque scenery and forests filled with unbelievable supernatural creatures. For those who have been familiar with the area since before these films popularized it, however, the Hoh River Trail and Five Mile Island are the first places that come to mind.

Without a doubt the most beautiful forest trail in Washington and arguably one of the most beautiful trails in the country, there are multiple ways to experience its serene landscape.

The Hoh River And Forest

The Hoh River spans a total of 56 miles through the Olympic Peninsula, and the woods surrounding it make for some of the best scenery in the state. The scenic hikes along this trail open themselves up to both day hikes and backpacking; those who wish to follow it all the way to Five Mile Island will find that their days are filled with misty mornings and perfectly lush, dense woodlands. The river itself is replenished by the Hoh Glacier, creating beautiful cascading streams throughout the trail. Rather than increasing in elevation, the river traces the steps of the valleys in between the region's most prominent peaks.

At the end of the river, hikers will come face to face with the Pacific Ocean. Everything in between demonstrates what a perfect ecosystem thrives in this forest, from the freshwater of the river to the saltwater species in the Pacific. The Hoh Rainforest is home to a burgeoning elk population, as well as deer, cougars, bobcats, spotted owls, black bears, and other native mammals.

Hoh Rainforest Visitor Center

Before starting any hike on the Hoh River Trail, hikers should make a quick stop at the Hoh Rainforest Visitor Center. This is where they'll find information on the flora and fauna surrounding the trail, including the forest's Sitka spruce, hemlock, lettuce lichen, conifers, ferns, and other deciduous trees.

These plants allow the forest's native species, such as Pacific tree frogs, to thrive in their dense, moist environment. This is also where visitors will find information on the hike itself, where to find other trails, and how to follow the trail in full to Five Mile Island. Visitors will learn about the conservation efforts of the forest, as well as the cultural significance of the land to the native Hoh Tribe.

Location: Upper Hoh Road

Hiking The Hoh River Trail

Getting There

Finding the Hoh River Trail isn't a challenge, and it's a well-trekked trail through the Pacific Northwest. The easiest way to find it is by following US-101 south from Forks for roughly 13 miles, before making a left onto Upper Hoh Road.

Stop at the visitor center before following the signs that will lead hikers to the Hoh River Section within Olympic National Park. This will take hikers through a gated entrance, and the parking lot is straight ahead.

The Hike

Hikers have plenty of options when it comes to hiking this trail. In full, the trail spans for roughly 36 miles which makes for a great backpacking trip (more on that later) or, hikers can opt to hike part of the way. The trail is an in-and-out hike, which means there's no loop; hikers simply turn around and return the way they came in. At the entrance to the trail, there's a helpful guide map that tells hikers where important landmarks are and how far alone each is from the marked blazes.

About one mile in on the trail, hikers will come face to face with the Hoh River. It doesn't take long at all to find, and many people turn back after taking in the scenery here. After mile one, hikers will find that there are several river crossings that intersect the trail, which can make for a muddy (and wet!) trek without proper footwear. There should be sturdy log crossings over these parts of the trail, according to AllTrails, but hikers should still practice caution when crossing.

Backpacking Hoh River Trail

There are a total of 11 campsites along the Hoh River Trail, all of which are evenly spaced out and are marked clearly on the AllTrails app. Backpackers can also inquire about maps at the visitor center which will help provide a clear idea of when and where hikers can stop for the night. The most popular campsites at Five Mile Island can be found about five miles down the trail. They also double as a great place to stop for lunch and take in the views of the glacial river.