May 5, 2025 - News

Hoh Rain Forest access to be restored Thursday

Melissa Santos

A tourist stands next to a guardrail amid pines and old trees in Hoh Rain Forest's Hall of Mosses. — The Hoh Rain Forest has been closed since December. Photo: Giulio Andreini/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

The road leading to the Hoh Rain Forest in Olympic National Park is set to reopen Thursday, restoring access to one of Washington state's most popular recreational areas.

Why it matters: The rainforest has been closed to visitors since December, when heavy rain washed out part of the Upper Hoh Road, the only way to access the area by car.

An estimated 460,000 people visited the Hoh area in 2024, according to the National Park Service, making the attraction an important boon for the local economy.

The latest: The Hoh Rain Forest trails, parking area and restrooms will reopen at 12:30pm Thursday, May 8 — "just in time for the start of the summer tourism season," according to a news release from Jefferson County, which maintains the Upper Hoh Road.

The county fixed the roadway with the help of $623,000 from the state and $27,000 in local donations.

What they're saying: "This project represents a true partnership in action," Jefferson County public works director Monte Reinders said in the news release.

What's next: A reopening celebration and ribbon cutting is scheduled for noon Thursday at the site of the road repair.

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Hoh Rain Forest access to be restored Thursday

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