The Amazing Rainforests of Washington
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Washington state is full of wonder and adventure, but did you know that Washington is also home to four rainforests? That’s right! You can find four temperate rain forests on the Olympic Peninsula which is located on the West coast of Washington. It’s one of the best places in the entire world to see this type of ecosystem and it's one of the top things to do in the Pacific Northwest.
Tropical vs Temperate Rainforests
There are two types of rainforests and you’re probably most familiar with the tropical rainforest where the air is thick, temperatures are higher, and the wildlife can be quite colorful. Tropical rainforests are located close to the equator and can receive up to a whopping 400 inches of rain per year! Most tropical rainforests can be found in South America where there are lots of jungles, but there is one in the U.S. which is on the lovely island of Puerto Rico. The type of rainforest that you’re probably less familiar with is the temperate rain forest. Unlike tropical rainforests, temperate rainforests typically see up to 100 inches of rain per year and are located closer to the Arctic Circle or the Antarctic Circle. Temperatures in a temperate rainforest are also much cooler, but the air can still seem heavy and thick. Something really cool about the rainforests in Washington is that they’re not only full of moss and ferns, but the trees have an average age range of 500-1,000 years and new tree growth will attach to dead, decomposing trees which is one of the coolest things I saw while visiting the rainforests on the Olympic Peninsula! But before you go to the article, let me give you this list of the most popular activities near the rainforests of Washington:
The most popular tours near the rainforests of Washington
- 🏞️ Spend a day exploring the ancient temperate rainforests and beautiful overlooks with a day tour to Olympic National Park
- 🌊 This naturalist guided tour will be highly entertaining and educational as we explore an ancient rainforest and visit Snoqualmie and Twin Falls
- 🌳 Leave behind the hectic streets of Seattle and spend the day immersed in the temperate rainforest of Olympic National Park on this guided tour
- ⛰️ Discover Mt. Rainer National Park’s highlights on an all-inclusive, small-group full-day tour from Seattle and explore wildflower meadows, alpine vistas, and waterfalls on foot as you enjoy magnificent views on a guided hike
What are the Four Rainforests of Washington State?
Hoh Rainforest
The Hoh Rainforest is by far the most popular rainforest in Washington and one of my favorite places I’ve visited in Washington State so far. When visiting, make sure you set your GPS to the Hoh Rain Forest Visitor Center to get an accurate arrival time. The visitor center is about 30+ minutes after you turn off at the Hoh Rainforest sign. The drive to the visitor center is beautiful and we saw Roosevelt Elk on the side of the road as we left later that evening. Once you arrive, there’s a huge parking lot with clean bathrooms and multiple trailheads. Start warming up your legs on The Hall of Mosses Trail which is a 0.8-mile loop that takes your through old growth forests with beautiful maples with moss hanging all over. The Spruce Nature Trail is another popular trail here; it’s a 1.2-mile loop that runs along the Hoh River. The main hiking trail is the Hoh River Trail, which is about 18 miles long, but you can take it as far as you’d like and turn around at any point. We walked about 4 miles out to see a waterfall (the park sign says it’s only 2.7 miles to the waterfall… but it’s not) and then came back. There are multiple camping spots throughout this trail and the last stop on the trail is Glacier Meadow.
Quinault Rainforest
This smaller rainforest is not too far from Hoh Rainforest and is located right on Lake Quinault making it a great summer camping destination. There are multiple trails throughout Quinault Rainforest ranging from short to long. We started out on the Quinault Rain Forest Nature Trail which is a quick 0.5-mile loop that takes you through part of the rainforest and has educational signs along the way with fun facts about the rainforest and the animals you might see during your visit. After the nature trail, hike a little further to Willaby Campground to see great views of the lake. You can find waterfalls and even the world’s largest Sitka Spruce tree while exploring the other trails offered here!
Queets Rainforest
Also located within Olympic National Park, Queets Rainforest is more hidden and less talked about. The best time to visit is July through September, and the trail itself is about 30 miles out and back and typically takes close to 10 hours to complete. There are camping areas so if you’re looking for a more remote place to spend the night, this might be a good option for you. Queets is definitely for the more adventurous type of person as you do have to cross a river to get to the trail. For safety reasons and to find out if the trail is accessible make sure to visit the National Park Service website for updates and closures.
Bogachiel Rainforest
Bogachiel Rainforest is part of the Olympic National Forest making these trails dog friendly, and bumps right up to Olympic National Park. There are two easy to moderate loops in Bogachiel; the Homestead Loop is 0.9 miles, and the Ira Spring Wetland Loop is 3 miles roundtrip. This rainforest boasts the typical old growth with tons of moss, but it’s unique because it has a wetland area that you walk around on the Ira Spring Wetland Loop Trail. This trail also splits off and turns into the Bogachiel River Trail that goes into Olympic National Park for 30 miles until it reaches Sol Duc Hot Springs.
How to Visit Washington’s Rainforests
All four of Washington’s rainforests are located on the Olympic Peninsula that is also home to the Olympic National Park. The Olympic Peninsula is a massive peninsula located to the West of Seattle and you could easily spend a week on the peninsula enjoying all that it has to offer! Aside from the rainforests, you can find clear lakes, gorgeous beaches, and tons of trails with breathtaking views.
Both the Hoh Rainforest and Queets Rainforest are located within Olympic National Park so you will have to pay an entrance fee of $30 per vehicle. Olympic National Park does offer an annual pass for $55 if you plan on visiting throughout the year. Another great option if you plan on visiting multiple National Parks throughout the USA is the America the Beautiful Annual Pass which costs $80. The America the Beautiful Pass will also get you into the Quinault and Bogachiel Rainforests, otherwise you’ll need a Northwest Forest day-pass which is $5.
Listed out below is the distance to each rainforest from different starting points, and while you can make it out to the peninsula and back in a full day from Seattle, I highly recommend spending a night or two at a midway point like Port Angeles or Sequim, so you have more time to explore. If you’re driving to the rainforests from Seattle, you do have the option to take the Bainbridge ferry which will save you about 50 miles, but the risk you take with this option is missing the ferry or having to take a later ferry if you’re traveling in the summer months. The ferries get really backed up during summer due to it being peak travel season so wait times can be upwards of two hours.
Driving from Seattle
-Hoh Rainforest: 218 miles or about 4 hours
-Quinault Rainforest: 156 miles or 3 hours
-Queets Rainforest: 173 miles or 3.5 hours
-Bogachiel Rainforest: 207 miles or 4 hours
Driving from Tacoma
-Hoh Rainforest: 186 miles or about 3.5 hours
-Quinault Rainforest: 124 miles or 2.5 hours
-Queets Rainforest: 141 miles or 3 hours
-Bogachiel Rainforest: 175 miles or 3.25 hours
Driving from Port Angeles
-Hoh Rainforest: 88 miles or about 2 hours
-Quinault Rainforest: 125 miles or 2.5 hours
-Queets Rainforest: 124 miles or 3 hours
-Bogachiel Rainforest: 62 miles or 1.25 hours
Best Places to Stay Near the Olympic National Park
7 Cedars Resort & Casino – Located in Sequim, this new hotel has spacious rooms and top notch in-room amenities. I’ve stayed here and I was so surprised by how large the room was!
Lake Crescent Lodge – Located right on Lake Crescent, this lodge was built in 1915 and is the perfect place to rest your feet after exploring the peninsula all day.
Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort – Located in Olympic National Park, these cabins are great for a family adventure. They’re right along Sol Duc River, have an on-site pool, and you get access to the hot springs pool.
Kalaloch Lodge – Located in Forks, this is a great option if you’re looking to hike during the day and watch the sunset over the ocean. Kalaloch Lodge has individual cabins and guest suites in the main house depending on what your needs are.
Hoh Valley Cabins – These newly constructed cabins consist of four individual 1-bedroom cabins in the heart of the Hoh Rainforest. Each cabin is complete with a kitchenette and propane fireplace for staying cozy on cooler nights.
Happy travels!
- Tess
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Tess Arnold
Hi! I’m Tess, founder of TravelingTessie.com, and not only do I love to travel, but I love immersing myself in new places and finding off the beaten path experiences wherever I go! I’ve lived in 4 different states & traveled to 13 countries and counting. I believe that tourism is meant to benefit both visitors and locals alike—and I want to bring that idea back into the travel industry by highlighting companies run by locals such as tours, hotels, restaurants, and more. On Traveling Tessie you can find hidden gems in top destinations around the world, travel tips, detailed city guides, and tons of inspiration for your next trip! If you love travel as much as I do, then please join me on this journey! I hope you enjoy my content as much as I enjoy providing it for you!
