Hoh Rain Forest Photos

Hoh Rainforest is a part of the Olympic National Park

Hoh Rain Forest Photos: Seasonal photo montage of the Hoh Rainforest and Hoh River, plus photo illustrations and explanations of typical temperate rain forest features.

Enjoy the Hoh Rain Forest

It's Easy to Enjoy the Hoh Rain Forest:

Hoh Rain Forest Visitor Center, Olympic National ForestHoh Rain Forest Visitor Center
Picnic areas near the Visitor CenterPicnic areas near the Visitor Center

Moss and Ferns ... Everywhere

Closeup of moss growing on a log in the Hoh Rain Forest
Moss-laden branches and a fern carpetMoss-laden branches and a fern carpet
This maple tree is covered in multiple species of moss.


Epiphytic ferns and many species of moss grow profusely throughout the rain forest.

Streamers of moss on a tree trunkStreamers of moss on a tree trunk
Fern Meadow in the HohFern Meadow in the Hoh
Moss and epiphytic ferns grow profusely on trees throughout the Hoh Rain Forest

Hallmarks of the Rain Forest

Oregon Oxalis (Redwood Sorrel)

Oregon Wood Sorrel (Oxalis oregana)Oregon Wood Sorrel (Oxalis oregana)

It's not a proper temperate rain forest unless Oregon Wood Sorrel (Oxalis oregana or Oregon Oxalis) grows on the forest floor, I'm told. Wood Sorrel closely resembles its cousin, the Irish Shamrock.

It folds up like a tent when harsh sunlight, raindrops, or humans touch it, and unfurls its three heart-shaped leaves once again when the all-clear sounds.

At right: Oregon Oxalis on the floor of the Hoh Rain Forest, all folded up like a tent, a skill called nyctinasty which was triggered by bright sunlight.

Below: Some areas in the Hoh Rainforest are literally covered in Oregon Oxalis.

Oregon Oxalis on the floor of the Hoh Rain Forest, in the throes of nyctinasty.
Oregon Oxalis covers a nurse log in the Hoh Rain Forest, and is often seen growing in the moss on maple tree trunks.Oregon Oxalis covers a nurse log in the Hoh Rain Forest, and is often seen growing in the moss on maple tree trunks.

Trillium

Trillium is also found throughout the rainforest. It blooms white in the spring, and then ages to a dark red.

TrilliumTrillium
Dark red (old) trillium bloomDark red (old) trillium bloom

More Rain Forest Hallmarks:

Colonnades, Stilt Trees, Nurse Logs

Colonnade of trees thriving on a nurse log in the Hoh rainforestColonnade of trees thriving on a nurse log in the Hoh rainforest

From death springs life.

One sees the circle of life played out everywhere in the temperate rain forest. An ancient tree gives up the ghost and thumps heavily to the ground. Moss and ferns soon begin to cover the old behemoth. Seeds fall from the giant trees still standing around it onto the wet moss covering the prone trunk.

The seeds sprout (pictured below). Seedlings put forth roots into the decaying wood, become saplings, and then trees, nourished by the rotting bones of the fallen tree, now known as a nurse tree or nurse log.

In 200 years, these saplings and others will have formed a colonnade such as the ones pictured above and below.

These little Douglas Fir seedlings, along with a tiny Western Hemlock, are getting a healthy start on a moist blanket of moss covering a nurse tree.These little Douglas Fir seedlings, along with a tiny Western Hemlock, are getting a healthy start on a moist blanket of moss covering a nurse tree.
Sitka Spruce seedlings on a nurse log in the Hoh.Sitka Spruce seedlings on a nurse log in the Hoh.
Sitka Spruce saplings are thriving on a nurse log.Sitka Spruce saplings are thriving on a nurse log.

Below:

  • Colonnades of trees all in a row are evidence of the existence of a nurse log in a bygone era.
  • Stilt trees: The exposed roots of trees on "stilts" are all that remain when its nurse tree has completely rotted away.
The nurse log that gave birth to this colonnade is nearly gone.The nurse log that gave birth to this colonnade is nearly gone.
Roots on stiltsRoots on stilts
Stilt TreeStilt Tree
Trees nourished by a nurse stumpTrees nourished by a nurse stump
Colonnade on a nurse logColonnade on a nurse log
Colonnade on a nurse logColonnade on a nurse log
Roots on "stilts" in the Hoh Rain Forest. Olympic National Park.


Pictured at left: Two trees wrestle for supremacy atop a rotting nurse stump.

On the left in the foreground is a snag that lost its battle for survival years ago.

In the Hoh, Giant Trees...

Big Sitka Spruce as it once stood along Upper Hoh RoadBig Sitka Spruce as it once stood along Upper Hoh Road
A snag is all that remains of the Big Sitka SpruceA snag is all that remains of the Big Sitka Spruce

Right: This snag has been standing for many years. It has lost its bark in areas, and lichens are growing, which do not grow on living trees.

Below: Can you see my friend Candi hugging the ankles of the giant snag?

... Fall Hard.

The 500+ year old renowned "Big Sitka Spruce" standing along Upper Hoh Road toppled in a storm in December, 2014.

Until it fell, it was the 5th largest tree in the area, at 12.5 feet diameter and 270 feet tall.

It now lies on the forest floor, nothing but a dead snag left standing.

As it crashed to the ground, the big spruce tree gashed the bark of the tree in the background.As it crashed to the ground, the big spruce tree gashed the bark of the tree in the background.

Above: This Sitka will become another nurse tree among the many that litter the floor of the Hoh rain forest, completing the circle of life for following generations of trees.

A dead snag in the Hoh Rain Forest has been standing for years
This was one immense tree!This was one immense tree!

More (Living) Giant Trees in the Hoh Rain Forest

Sitka SpruceSitka Spruce

Above: My friend Candi standing at the foot of this very large Sitka Spruce helps to illustrate the scale of these giant trees. This one is certainly immense, but still just a teenager compared to the Big Sitka Spruce that fell in 2014.

Right: This Sitka Spruce tree towers over the rain forest. It might be 250 feet tall.

Towering old growth Sitka SpruceTowering old growth Sitka Spruce

Mossy Big Leaf Maple Trees

This moss-draped maple tree is the stuff of childhood nightmares. It was also, in my opinion, a most intriguing maple tree!This moss-draped maple tree is the stuff of childhood nightmares. It is also, in my opinion, a most intriguing maple tree!
Grove of mossy maple trees in the Hall of MossesGrove of mossy maple trees in the Hall of Mosses
The largest and oldest of the big-leaf maple trees were covered in several inches of mosses up and down the main trunk and branches.The largest and oldest of the big-leaf maple trees were covered in several inches of mosses up and down the main trunk and branches.
Split, still-living maple trunk forms a living archway in the Hoh rainforestSplit, still-living maple trunk forms a living archway in the Hoh rainforest
Large maple tree in the Hoh is densely covered in mosses

More Flora in the Hoh Rain Forest

Trillium in a carpet of Oregon Oxalis and ferns - typical in the Hoh Rain Forest, Olympic National ParkTrillium in a carpet of Oregon Oxalis, with ferns nearby. This is typical ground cover in the Hoh Rain Forest.
Five-leaved bramble bloomFive-leaved bramble bloom

Hoh Rain Forest Fauna

Roosevelt Elk in the Hoh Rain ForestRoosevelt Elk in the Hoh Rain Forest

Roosevelt Elk


Left: We encountered this very large bull Roosevelt elk in the Hoh Rainforest in May 2015. This photo was taken in May; his velvet-covered antlers had just started growing for the season.

Although elk usually migrate to summer and then winter forages, several Roosevelt elk herds live in the Hoh rain forest year round due to the plentiful food sources.

Banana Slugs

Below: As banana slugs go, this is a small one; they grow to up to 10 inches long. This one was 4 feet off the forest floor on the bark of a tree, munching on mosses.

Banana SlugBanana Slugs come in various colors...
Rain Forest Banana SlugNow you know why they call them banana slugs!

Salmon in the Hoh

Coho Salmon in the HohCoho Salmon in the Hoh
Coho Salmon in the HohCoho Salmon in the Hoh

Left and Above: These battered Coho Salmon were spawning in early January. Pacific salmon die upon completion of the spawn.

Photos can give you a taste, but there is no way to fathom the glory of the rain forest without actually visiting for yourself. We hope you will do that!

Hoh Rainforest Info

Olympic National Park: Hoh Rain Forest 

Towns Near the Hoh Rain Forest

Port Angeles is about 88 miles (141.6 km) away from the Hoh Rain Forest, or a drive of approximately 2 hours.

If Port Angeles is not your starting point, then:

  • Forks is 31 miles (49.88 km) roughly a 50 minute drive
  • Aberdeen, WA, is 112.4 miles (181 km) away, about a 2.5 hour drive

Have You Been to This Beautiful Place?
Tell Your Story and Share Your Photos With Us!

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