Elk Lake Trail

If you’re picturing a mellow stroll to a lakeshore, this isn’t it. Elk Lake is a deep backcountry destination reached by hiking roughly 15.5 miles one way (about 31 miles total out-and-back) from the Hoh Rain Forest Visitor Center. Most hikers make it a multi‑day backpack; as a day hike, it’s a sufferfest.

You’ll follow the Hoh River through classic temperate rainforest—old‑growth giants, moss-draped maples, ferns, and the Hoh’s glacial-blue water. Higher up, the forest thins and the terrain turns subalpine as you near the basin below Mount Olympus. Elk Lake itself is a serene spot with a historic shelter and popular backcountry camps. In season, look for yellow monkeyflower along Martin Creek, which flows from the lake. Wildlife sightings can include elk and black bear.

Trail quality is generally good down low, then gets steeper and rougher past the Olympus Guard Station. Expect roots, occasional mud, and a stout final push—the last 1.6 miles to Elk Lake climbs about 1,200 feet. Weather on the west side is famously wet and often foggy; plan for it.

Overnight trips require a wilderness camping permit, and bear canisters are required for food storage. Camps at the lake are limited and can fill in summer, so don’t bank on last-minute plans. Start at the Hoh Rain Forest Visitor Center, which has parking, water, and restrooms.

Best time to hike: Late June through September, when upper snow has melted and weather is most cooperative. Spring and fall mean fewer people but more rain, mud, and low-visibility days.

Bottom line: This is a big, rewarding commitment—lush rainforest, a real sense of remoteness, and a quiet lake under Mount Olympus. If you’ve got extra gas in the tank, strong parties sometimes continue beyond Elk Lake toward the Blue Glacier overlook, but that adds serious effort to an already strenuous trip.