The Hoh Rainforest is a place you’ll never forget experiencing for the first time. Nestled deep in the woods of Olympic National Park, the Hoh Rainforest is the most popular place in the park. Its moss-covered trees and morning dew make the forest a magical kind of place, one where the feeling of visiting will always stick with you and pull you back to visit again and again, which is why so many couples opt for a Hoh Rainforest wedding or elopement.
The Hoh Rainforest is not only the quietest place in the continental United States, but it’s also one of the largest and last remaining temperature rainforests in the United States. The forest gets a whopping 12 feet of rain per year and truly lives up to the stereotypical vibe of the Pacific Northwest – rain, clouds, ferns, and fog, which is exactly why it makes the perfect spot for those seeking everything the Pacific Northwest has to offer.
Whether you’re interested in planning a Hoh Rainforest wedding or elopement or are simply looking to get some inspiration, you’ve come to the right place. This is the ultimate Hoh Rainforest wedding guide.
Hoh Rainforest Wedding Locations
Below are the best places to get married in the Hoh Rainforest.
Hall of Mosses Trail
The Hall of Mosses Trail is the most popular hiking trail in the Hoh Rainforest. It’s a short 1-mile loop through some of the mossiest trees in the forest. This trail is a staple and one of the best places to get married. However, the actual trail isn’t the largest, so weddings with more than 5 people are generally not recommended. Because it’s the busiest spot in the park, it’s pretty safe to say that you won’t ever have this area to yourself (unless you come around sunrise). If privacy is important to you, I would suggest this location for portraits, but not a ceremony.
Hoh River Trail
If you’re up for a bit of walking, consider having your ceremony along the Hoh River Trail. This 5.5 mile trail doesn’t need to be hiked the whole way through to get some incredible views. Enjoy a ceremony amongst the trees, or walk out to access the Hoh River for a riverside ceremony.
Hoh Rainforest Campground
If you’re looking to bring more than 5 guests to your Hoh Rainforest wedding, I highly recommend booking a group campsite for your ceremony to accommodate your friends and family. My favorite campground is the Hoh Rainforest Campground. Some group sites can accommodate more than 10 people, making it a great option for Hoh Rainforest elopements or weddings with a larger guest count.
Do I Need a Permit for My Hoh Rainforest Wedding?
Yes, but only if you have more than 5 people total at your wedding. This includes the couple, guests, and vendors such as a photographer, officiant, etc. If you have less than 5 people present, no permit is needed.
The permit costs $50 and can obtained by filling out the special use permit application and emailing it to @olym_permits@nps.gov. You will then be sent a link to pay for the permit if it gets approved. Try to submit your permit at least a month before your wedding date, though the sooner the better for processing.
Can I Bring My Dog?
Unfortunately, dogs are not permitted on any trails or campgrounds in the Hoh Rainforest.
When Is the Best Time of Year to Plan a Hoh Rainforest Wedding?
The spring or fall season is the best time of year to elope in the Hoh Rainforest. I personally love the months of May and October. The spring season brings greens at their peak, wildlife spottings, and perfect overcast weather for amazing light. In the fall, slight color changes can be seen throughout the park, the summer crowds have died down, and the weather is still quite pleasant.
If you’re not opposed to rain (you shouldn’t be if you love the rainforest), then I recommend visiting in the winter. The rainforest this time of year is absolutely magical. This is the one time of year where crowds aren’t an issue and where you even have potential of seeing the forest covered in a fresh blanket of snow.
Where to Stay for Your Hoh Rainforest Wedding
If you want to get married in the Hoh Rainforest, I recommend staying in Forks. This small town that served as inspiration for the Twilight franchise is about 45 minutes away from the forest. While there isn’t much to do in town, it is the closest place to stay. It’s also near the coast, which means you get to explore some of Washington’s most famous beaches like Ruby and Rialto.
If you prefer to see other iconic sights in the park, I recommend staying in Port Angeles which is about 2 hours way, though close to sights like Lake Crescent and Hurricane Ridge. Plus, there is much more to see and do in Port Angeles than in Forks.
Hoh Rainforest Wedding Inspiration
Enjoy some of these images taken in the Hoh Rainforest to serve as inspiration for your very own Hoh Rainforest elopement or wedding.
Hoh Rainforest Elopement Packages
I’m Brianna, an elopement photographer who specializes in adventurous outdoor elopements in the Pacific Northwest. I take a very hands-on approach throughout the planning process to make sure each step of your elopement is personalized and true to you. Take a peek below at what I include in each and every elopement package.
- 4 hours – 1.5 days of elopement coverage anywhere in Washington State
- A personalized elopement planning experience with unlimited assistance
- Personalized elopement location recommendations
- Vendor, lodging, and activity recommendations
- Assistance and information to help you with permits, licenses, etc.
- 90+ page elopement planning guide filled with tips and tricks
- Customized elopement timelines
- Optional complimentary officiant services
- Online gallery with full resolution images and printing rights
- 24-48 hour sneak peeks to share with the world
- Travel fees to anywhere in Washington are already included
- Starting at $6,500
If you’re looking for similar inspiration for your elopement, be sure to check out this moody Lake Crescent Elopement, Boho Lake Cushman Elopement, and a stunning Sunrise Elopement at Hurricane Ridge.
DON’T FORGET YOUR FREE ELOPEMENT GUIDE!
An all-in-one planning guide for all things elopements! Whether you’re hoping to hike through the mountains of Washington or sip a margarita on the beaches of California, this comprehensive elopement guide has everything you need to know about how to plan the perfect elopement.
YOU? YOU’RE THE KIND OF PERSON THAT GETS A LIL’ TEARY EYED LOOKING AT AN EPIC VIEW.
That moment when you turn to the person you’re with and ask, “Are you seeing this?” I live for it. Places with trees and mountains and soft breezes that make you say, “I can’t believe this place exists,” I spend pretty much all of my free time searching for and exploring them.
These places have always felt like home to me. And if you’re the kind of person who also feels more at home surrounded by trees than by people? Then we’ll get along really well. The Pacific Northwest is full of secret spots that are too special to share with just anyone. But it would make me happy to share them with you on your wedding day.
If the mountains/beaches/Redwood forests are calling your name, go ahead…
(I promise you won’t regret it.)
P.S. I’m Brianna, and I plan, craft, and capture elopements around the Pacific Northwest. My mission is to create custom, one-of-a-kind elopement experiences in the Pacific Northwest that allow couples to fully immerse themselves in the highest levels of excitement and wonder on a day designed exclusively for them.
