Hoh
2. Hoh Rainforest Campground to Hwy 101 at Oxbow
| Difficulty | II |
| Length | 21 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 24 fpm |
| Gauge | Hoh River at Us Highway 101 Near Forks, Wa |
| Flow Rate as of 47 minutes | 970 cfsbelow recommended |
| Reach Info Last Updated | May 19, 2025 |
River Description
Although each coastal river is unique, the Hoh River has many of the characteristics of the west side rivers that also include the Queets, Quinault, and Bogachiel. The Hoh River is a large floodplain river with some powerful currents and impressive log jams that can create hazards for novice boaters. The river has been popular with steelhead fishermen. You can put-in at the campground within the Olympic National Park near the Hoh Ranger Station--this is the most popular site where tourists come to visit the Olympic Rainforest. While there are many places to experience the Pacific Temperate Rainforest, this is the place to go for the half hour look with a nice interpretive trail.
You can start your run from the campground but this is generally less popular. The hazard rating due to wood is slightly higher from the campground to the confluence with the South Fork near the park entrance station, a distance of approximately 6 miles. Once you pass the South Fork, the river becomes large enough that wood hazards become less of an issue although you still need to use extreme caution. Wood is the primary hazard to be prepared for along the length of this run and it's not a good place for novice paddlers without an experienced guide.
The run from the entrance station boat ramp to Morgan's Crossing is a popular 6 mile day trip and has one somewhat challenging section just above Coons Bar, which is located a couple miles upstream of Morgan's Crossing. The other popular trip is to start from Morgan's Crossing and continue down to the Oxbow Recreation Area, an 8.5 mile trip. The most challenging rapids of this section are created by the exposed bedrock at the Oxbow, but at moderate flows these are class II.
Paddlers can continue on downstream beyond the Highway 101 bridge, but these lower sections of the river are generally not considered a whitewater trip.
Access: The take-out is right off Highway 101 at mile 176.7 where you will find the turnfor the
...River Features
Hoh Rainforest Campground Put-In
Access on river right from the Hoh Rainforest Campground. The Hoh Rainforest Campground, located within Olympic National Park, is known for its lush rainforest environment and proximity to hiking trails. It offers 88 campsites suitable for tents, trailers, and RVs up to 21 feet. Amenities include flush toilets, potable water, and food lockers. The campground is open year-round, with reservations required from mid June to mid September.
South Fork Hoh Confluence
Confluence where the South Fork Hoh joins the Hoh River.
Morgans Crossing
Access on river right.
Hoh Oxbow Campground Take-Out
Access on river right, the Hoh Oxbow Campground is managed by Washington State Department of Natural Resources and offers pristine camping among a dense, mossy forest of hemlock and fir. Facilities include eight campsites, toilet, and a boat ramp. Campsites can accommodate up to a 30-foot trailer, though size may vary by site.
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportWe ran this section as a group of four in two tandem packrafts. The low water made for few significant features but there are definitely some considerable obstacles from sweepers and strainers to navigate. We had four portages after 'choosing poorly' at braided sections that looked passable but were blocked farther down...these all happened early in the trip with the final log jam so large It seemed to stop any trees from passing beyond it. While this was mostly a flat water trip the obstacles and hazards definitely make it suitable for more experienced paddlers. Definitely well worth the effort if you want the beauty and enjoyment of floating this glacier fed river.