Hoh Glacier

Hoh Glacier is an ice mass in Olympic National Park that sits on the slopes of Mount Olympus. The frozen expanse feeds the Hoh River below and dominates the high alpine landscape of the region.

The glacier formed during the last ice age and has shifted in size and shape many times since then. Modern measurements show it is receding like many alpine ice masses around the world.

Native American tribes of the Olympic Peninsula incorporated the glacier and its surrounding landscape into their traditional narratives about the natural world.

Reaching it requires a multi-day hike along the Hoh River Trail through dense rainforest. Permits are needed for overnight camping in the park, and sturdy waterproof footwear is essential for the wet trails.

The region receives enormous amounts of rain and ranks among the wettest places outside the tropics in North America. This extreme moisture supports thick rainforests growing right alongside the ice.

Location: Washington

Elevation above the sea: 1,701 m

GPS coordinates: 47.79830,-123.67000

Latest update: December 12, 2025 17:42