The main road leading into the famous Hoh Rain Forest in Olympic National Park is open again. The Upper Hoh Road will reopen to all traffic on Thursday, May 8th, 2025. This will end a long closure that started late last year. For months, visitors could not drive into this popular part of the park.
With the road open, people can now reach the Hoh Rain Forest trailheads, including the well-known Hall of Mosses and Spruce Nature Trail. Parking areas and restrooms in the main visitor area are also accessible again. This reopening is welcome news for many planning trips to the Olympic Peninsula, especially as the busy summer season begins.
The road trouble started back in late December 2024. Heavy rains caused the Hoh River to rise very high. The fast-moving water washed away the riverbank near milepost 9.7 on the Upper Hoh Road. This erosion caused part of the road, which is taken care of by Jefferson County, to collapse. Officials closed the road completely because it was no longer safe for cars, bicycles, or even walkers.
The road stayed closed for more than four months. Fixing it took longer than expected because getting the money needed for repairs was difficult. Usually, special government money helps pay for fixes on this county road because so many park visitors use it. But this time, getting that funding approved took a long time. This showed how tricky it can sometimes be to quickly fix important roads when different government groups are involved and money isn’t ready right away.
To get the road fixed, Washington State stepped in to help. Governor Bob Ferguson directed over $600,000 from a special state fund called the Strategic Reserve. This fund uses money from unclaimed lottery winnings to help with important projects. Getting the road open quickly was seen as very important for the area’s economy, which relies heavily on visitors coming to the park, especially during summer.
Local businesses and private citizens also helped by donating about $27,000, which was needed to go along with the state money. Once the funds were secured, Jefferson County hired workers to repair the damaged section of road. The work started in April and finished in early May, allowing the road to reopen.
Now that the Upper Hoh Road is opening, visitors can drive all the way to the main Hoh Rain Forest area. However, not everything will open at the exact same time as the road. The Hoh Rain Forest Campground will remained closed temporarily even after the road reopens. Park crews need extra time to clear fallen trees and make sure the campground area is safe for overnight visitors. Sometimes when a park area reopens after a long closure, things open in stages to ensure visitor safety.
Before traveling, visitors should always check for the latest information on what is open. The best way to do this is to visit the official Olympic National Park website or call the park’s recorded information line at (360) 565-3131.
The reopening of the Upper Hoh Road means people can once again explore one of America’s most special places. The Hoh Rain Forest is known around the world as one of the largest temperate rainforests in the U.S., famous for its giant trees covered in mosses and ferns. Visitors can now return to walk its lush trails and experience its quiet beauty.
