Hoh Rainforest Alternatives
Looking for somewhere to hike on the Olympic Peninsula with mossy trees, fern-covered forest floor, old-growth trees, and maybe even a water feature? Your first thought was probably the Hall of Mosses Trail in the Hoh Rainforest—a beautiful, albeit busy, location that attracts millions of visitors every year. What if there were some alternative locations? Places Washingtonians know and love that aren’t quite as popular (and therefore less crowded)?
After a storm washed out the road to the Hoh Rainforest in 2025, I had to get creative and find appropriate alternate venues for couples whose elopement plans were affected by the road closure. The below images were not taken in the Hoh Rainforest…
Marymere Falls
Trail Length: 1.8 miles
Distance from Forks, WA: 36 miles | 40 minute drive
Features: Waterfall, wooden bridges, moss-covered trees, lots of ferns, nearby lake
This location is just as busy as the Hall of Mosses Trail. It is a close second for the most-visited rainforest trail in Olympic National Park, because it is an easy-access trail by Lake Crescent. The views here are similar to the Hall of Mosses, but the waterfall feature offers a unique difference that might convince you to come here instead. There is a small offshoot trail that offers a private forest ceremony venue that is very private.
Ancient Groves
Trail Length: .5 miles
Distance from Forks, WA: 36 miles | 45 minute drive
Features: lots of ferns, tall old-growth trees
This little-known loop trail is the perfect alternative to the Hall of Mosses for many reasons. It’s even shorter in length, which means it takes a little less time to hike, but there are plenty of places to stop for photos. If you want to continue on farther, it’s a short drive up the road to the Sol Duc Falls.
Sol Duc Falls
Trail Length: 1.6 miles
Distance from Forks, WA: 41 miles | 50 minute drive
Features: waterfall, moss-covered trees, wooden bridge, lots of ferns
This trail is probably my favorite genuine alternate to the Hall of Mosses, because the unique features of the landscape offer some of my favorite portrait opportunities. However, this area is closed in the winter and therefore can only be accessed during the nicer weather months. Expect the road to reopen by late March each year.
Third Beach
Trail Length: 3.6 miles
Distance from Forks, WA: 13 miles | 17 minute drive
Features: thick moss on massive trees, lots of ferns, a rocky beach if you want to hike the whole trail
This hike is nearby another more popular beach trail—Second Beach—but if you’re looking for an alternate to the Hall of Mosses Trail in the Hoh Rainforest, I like Third Beach better! The trail begins in a thick mossy old growth forest and the trees thin out the closer you get to the beach.
Bogachiel River
Trail Length: 12 miles
Distance from Forks, WA: 11 miles | 24 minute drive
Features: winding river, patches of forest, flowers in the spring
This long trail offers a lot of beautiful rainforest and river views, with the option to go as far as you want or keep the hike short by enjoying the start of the trail. It’s a flat trail, so its easy to go farther if you’re able or interested. In the spring I especially love this hike because there are areas along the river that are covered in wildflowers.
Quinault
Trail Length: .5 miles
Distance from Forks, WA: 66 miles | 1 hour 15 minute drive
Features: moss-covered trees, nearby trails to continue the adventure
This short loop trail offers massive trees, ferns, and views incredibly similar to the Hall of Mosses loop in the Hoh Rainforest. It’s farther than a lot of the other options, so being based out of Forks, WA might not be your best choice if you want to visit the Quinault—there are closer Airbnbs and other options.
Maple Glade
Trail Length: .5 miles
Distance from Forks, WA: 68 miles | 1 hour 20 minute drive
Features: Wooden bridges, moss-covered maple trees, streams and rivers
You can make this loop trail longer by continuing on to the Kestner Homestead, or add to the experience by doing the Quinault Loop Trail down the road. There are many short bridges, no steep sections, and this is a great area to enjoy the quiet of the Quinault Rainforest—one of Washington’s four rainforests.
Check out my Hoh Rainforest Elopement Guide
See these other galleries from past Hoh Rainforest (& nearby) elopements to see if this is the kind of location you’re looking for:
Ready to book your own Hoh Rainforest (or alternative) elopement?
