5-Day Olympic Backpacking - Hoh Rainforest and the Blue Glacier

Overview

Available languages

English

120 hours

Mobile ticket

This hike is an Olympic National Park favorite! Explore a beautiful old-growth temperate rainforest, view pristine high alpine lakes and meadows, and climb to the breathtaking overlook of the Blue Glacier. On this hike you will have the opportunity to hike through different ecosystems within the park and see the variety of plants and wildlife that inhabit them. You may see deer, elk, and bears. Your hiking efforts will be awarded with spectacular views of Mt. Olympus and the Blue Glacier.

Travel with a top-rated guide service (over 1200 5-star reviews online & #1 operator in Yosemite National Park) which is also a non-profit. Your participation helps us provide scholarships for disadvantaged youth to participate in our summer backpacking series.

2026 Dates:

7/24-7/28

8/8-8/12

8/21-8/25

9/5-9/9

9/18-9/22

Additional Info

Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries

Not recommended for pregnant travelers

Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health

Travelers should have a high level of physical fitness

2025 Dates: 9/15-9/19

2026 Dates: 7/24-7/28, 8/8-8/12, 8/21-8/25, 9/5-9/9, 9/18-9/22

All dates remain tentative until confirmed in mid-April

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What‘s Included

Permits and campsites

Use of Backpacking Equipment as requested

Memories to Last a Lifetime!

Souvenir T-Shirt

Guide Gratuities

Olympic National Park Entrance Pass

What To Expect

Day 1

Meet Guide/Hoh River

Accommodations

Backcountry Camping at a wilderness campsite

Food and Drinks

LUNCH

Lunch

DINNER

Dinner

Hoh Rain Forest

Meet your guides at 2pm at the Hoh Rainforest Visitor Center (look for elk on the drive in!) Get acquainted with gear and your trip-mates and you’re off! Hike an easygoing, flat five miles into the depths of the lush Hoh rainforest and spend the evening relaxing by the fire next to the great Hoh River.

6 hours • Admission Not Included

Day 2

Lewis Meadows

Accommodations

Backcountry Camping at a wilderness campsite

Food and Drinks

BREAKFAST

Breakfast

LUNCH

Lunch

DINNER

Dinner

Hoh Rain Forest

Day two will consist of another leisurely stroll through the rainforest, as we hike another five miles deeper into the valley. Spend time admiring the lush mosses and taking in the quiet of the forest. Arrive at Lewis Meadows and explore the expanding valley around you before settling in for another hearty dinner and a relaxing night.

1.0 day(s) • Admission Included

Day 3

The Blue Glacier

Accommodations

Backcountry Camping at a wilderness campsite

Food and Drinks

BREAKFAST

Breakfast

LUNCH

Lunch

DINNER

Dinner

Mount Olympus

Today we hike from the Olympus Guard Station to Elk Lake Campground. From here we have a decision to make: hike to the glacier (another 6 miles roundtrip with 2,800 feet of elevation gain) in the afternoon, or opt to hike the glacier on the morning of Day 4 before moving camp. We will savor the views upon arrival at the Blue Glacier with Mount Olympus towering overhead. The pictures taken here will be aplenty while we eat and replenish the calories we lost on the final uphill stretch of our adventure.

1.0 day(s) • Admission Included

Day 4

Return to the Rainforest

Accommodations

Backcountry Camping at a wilderness campsite

Food and Drinks

BREAKFAST

Breakfast

LUNCH

Lunch

DINNER

Dinner

Hoh Rain Forest

Descend the ten miles back down into the river valley to Five Mile Island, reminiscing about the amazing glacier views along the way, and noticing new flora and fauna that you may have missed the first time around! Relax by the fire and the river that night.

1.0 day(s) • Admission Included

Day 5

Final Walk Through the Rainforest

Food and Drinks

BREAKFAST

Breakfast

LUNCH

Lunch

Hoh Rain Forest

A flat, leisurely five miles takes you back to where you started, at the Hoh Visitor Center. If time allows, take the 1 mile loop through the Hall of Mosses before exiting to the trailhead and amaze yourself with the quietude and lush green.

15 hours • Admission Included

Options

5-Day Olympic Backpacking - Hoh Rainforest and the Blue Glacier

Reviews

5.00

3 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

This MUST be on your bucket list!
BethanyP340,
Aug 9, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
This was our second trip with Lasting Adventures and it was nothing short of amazing. Anna was an expert guide who took the time to get to know our goals for this experience, and truly went above and beyond to help us achieve them. We really appreciated her deep knowledge of the rainforest and local Native American culture. Anna’s positive energy was contagious and even during the most challenging parts of the hike she kept our energy high — there was nothing we couldn’t accomplish, especially with lots of snacks to fuel us! Our legs are spent and our hearts are full, and we are already thinking about where our next adventure will take us. I really appreciate how easy it is to backpack with Lasting Adventures — with all the high-quality gear provided, I really only needed to pack my clothing and personal items. All the communication leading up to our trip, including training tips and a packing list, is incredibly helpful.
Sunny rainforest
Mobile15714158851,
Sep 5, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
What a great experience with my guide Anna hiking through WA's rainforest. I hadn't experienced such rainforest before, so the huge trees and nursing logs were a great and novel sight. The weather was unexpectedly good (I was prepared for the Twilight weather), which also enhanced the experience. I saw a lot of wildlife, including a friendly black beard eating and being annoyed by the people. The view of Blue Glacier was spectacular - the glacier looked like an ice cream in a bowl. Definitely recommend the hike: you will be taken care of by the guide, receive valuable knowledge about the rainforest's ecosystem and will be especially well-fed ;). Would not say that the hike was particularly strenuous, but probably some hiking and backpacking experience would be helpful.
Great experience!
classic leo behavior,
Jul 30, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
My friend and I did the 5 day/4 night Hoh Rainforest to Blue Glacier trip in late July and had a great time. I hadn't done any serious backpacking in 7 years and felt a little rusty on some of my skills, so probably wouldn't have attempted something like this on my own. It's so great that Lasting Adventures exists to help folks get out there! This trail was incredible - just absolutely stunning the whole way through. I'm so grateful to Hannah, our guide, for her knowledge and encouragement. Communication was great leading up to the trip. I felt well-informed and prepared. The gear I borrowed from them was good and the meals were great!