Hoh Rain Forest Loop

Start on Mini Trail from the main car park. This is a flat, paved path making the old-growth forest accessible to handicapped visitors. Stay right to complete the first portion of the loop, taking the time to read some of the informational placards as you go. At a junction, stay right onto Spruce Nature Trail and hike the loop in either direction. This short loop, similar to the Hall of Mosses Trail, winds through old growth temperate rain forest with minimal elevation gain. This is a great option for families looking to take a quick stroll through the rainforest. The Spruce Nature Trail sees slightly less elevation change over a longer distance than the Hall of Mosses Trail, making it an easier alternative. Back at the junction with Mini Trail, complete the portion of the loop that you bypassed at the beginning and follow the trail back to the parking lot.Throughout the winter season, rain falls frequently in the Hoh Rain Forest, contributing to the yearly total of 140 to 170 inches (or 12 to 14 feet!) 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.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.