Be sure to pick up a Lake Quinaulat Hiking Map at either Quinault ranger station. Typical of these Pacific Northwest rain forests, theres an abundance of moss, lots of fern coverage and some beautifully crooked trees. Whether youre looking for an easy stroll or a strenuous trek, there are some great hikes near Lake Quinault. Boat Tours, Eco Tours, Hiking & Camping Tours. Allow at least 2 hours for this scenic journey and much, much longer if you plan to stop often. I will say the store just off the lake (not the resort or lodge) makes the most awesome sandwiches and fries. The campsites at Willaby have great swimming and boating access to Lake Quinault and an easy trail to the nearby Quinault Lodge where you can rent Kayaks, Stand Up Paddleboards and Canoes. (The lake is open seasonally during the summer and closed during the winter.) Be smart out there and have fun! We decided to pitch our tent at the campground, and I tested out the waters with a short 30 minute swim. Rainforest Resort does currently not take reservations for their RV sites and is on a first come basis. It was perfect. 93400 & S Shore Rd, Quinault, WA 98575. . The Maple Glade Ranger station is closed for the season. Sure, Lake Quinault is pretty to look at, but to truly experience the lake, youve got to get out on the water! I was swimming against the current for a while, and I felt a bit out of shape and scared of logs that may protrude out of the water. I typically have a tough time remembering what it's like to swim if I've taken a break for a while. This massive spruce tree measures in at 191-feet tall and 58-feet 11-inches wide. The Quinault Valley is no stranger to BIG trees! Join us for the only tour of its kind anywhere on the Olympic Peninsula!Our 4 hour comprehensive tour of the lush Quinault Rain Forest takes place in our comfortable tour shuttle where your certified interpretive guide will explain the history of the area, including the Quinault Indian Nation, the early expeditions that revealed Lake Quinault and the flora and fauna native to the rain forest. Can you swim at Lake Quinault? We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. As you make your way back to Highway 101 to round out the journey, keep your eyes peeled for the July Creek Picnic Area on the left. The Roosevelt Dining Room at the Lake Quinault Lodge, named after U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt who set aside the park for protection, is the only place in Quinault that serves breakfast. The Quinault Rain Forest is one of the world's wettest places, receiving 12 feet (3.7 meters) of precipitation on average each year. So, you can see wildlife anywhere in the Quinault Valley. I did not see anyone fishing. Plus the lodge is an hour's drive away from the Pacific Ocean via Highway 101. Fletcher Canyon is a magical place, with multi-hued moss, enormous ferns and enormous tees. From the rain forest trail, take the short, but semi-steep path from the main loop. My visit was in September to avoid crowds. >> Olympic National Park Guide>> The Best Olympic National Park Beaches>> Best Hoh Rainforest Hikes>> Best Sol Duc Hikes>> Best Lake Crescent Hikes>> Best Hurricane Ridge Hikes>> Guide to Visiting Hurricane Ridge>> Best Waterfalls in Olympic National Park. In fact, their breakfast menu is pretty impressive (although perhaps a bit expensive), with options ranging from granola, fruit and yogurt to biscuits with sausage gravy, and all kinds of eggs and pancakes. The tree is impressive by any standards. Looking out at the Quinault River, flanked by pristine forests and glimpses of the towering Olympic Mountains, you cant help but feel in awe. As mentioned, this was not our first visit to the Olympic Peninsula in Washington. Adventure awaits you at every turn. The most beautiful Quinault waterfalls, however, are up the road. At the Graves Creek Campground, the 1-mile Cascading Terraces Nature Trail winds its way to a super-lush rain forest. The two-story historic lodge was built in the mid-20s and has welcomed thousands of visitors from all over the world including . Located just inside Olympic National Park on the south shore of the Quinault River, this 60-feet (18-meter) waterfalls tumbles down a mossy slope. A half-mile further down on the right is where youll find the Quinault Rain Forest Ranger Station. . Our lake house rental in Amanda Park, Washington sat on 7 private acres and offered absolutely gorgeous lakefront views. Join my private Facebook group National Parks Collectors and comment and let me know (you can also pick up extra planning tips, share your photos and stories with other national park lovers and more). Fishing trips can be customized to meet your needs. To get there from US Highway 101, go north on S. Shore Road for approximately 2.5 miles. One trail is the Falls Creek Loop from near Quinault Lodge to Cascade Falls. For more information, please read our Privacy Policy.). Other Pacific Northwest National Park Activities, Olympic National Park Quinault Area Brochure, What to Do in Olympic National Park, Washington, What to Do in Mount Rainier National Park, Washington, Top Things to Do in Crater Lake National Park, Oregon, 2 hours and 30 minutes from Sol Duc Falls, 3 hours and 30 minutes from Hurricane Ridge, Quinault Loop Trail (1.5 to 8 miles, loop), Kestner Homestead Trail (1.3 miles, loop). While driving the scenic loop drive, theres Merriman Falls first, which I found a bit underwhelming. Moss drapes from winding branches and clings to tree trunks, while enormous ferns cluster the undergrowth. Lake Quinault. Smoking is NOT permitted onboard tour coach. Just beyond that is the sign leading to the (0.3 mile) trail for the Worlds Largest Sitka Spruce Tree. Rain Forest Resort Village. I urge you to pause here and take it all in. A great insurance option isTravelex. My Dad and I set off across the lake. Driving along the lake, we found Falls Creek Campground. The North Shore Road and the South Shore Road run along the two main sides of the lake and the river. During our first visit years ago, we fell in love with its captivating and moody coast. Both the waterfalls are close to the road, but easy to miss. Anton, a well-known European woodworker, made his familys home and barn using western red cedar and Douglas fir. This portion of the drive begins in a lush forest with views of the Colonel Bob Wilderness, part of the Olympic National Forest, across the river. The Quinault Rain Forest Trail is what this region of the Olympic Peninsula may be most well known for! Located just a few miles off Highway 101, about an hour north of Hoquiam (or an hour and half south of Forks), there are up to five waterfalls you could see in one day. Lake Quinault Loop Drive was our first destination at the Olympic National Park. more, Temperate Rainforest Olympic National Park. It has coverage for all youll need. Can you swim at Lake Quinault? I put this after the Graves Creek Nature Trail because one of the greatest wilderness views on the entire loop is from the concrete Upper Quinault River Bridge. The Park Service has contracted with a company to run the place to run it that gets a lot of first timers because of the name and historic location, but does nothing to improve the facility. They are very friendly and I would recommend stopping by. The paved road turns to dirt and gravel for the final 4 miles on South Shore Road. We made the decision to come back the next morning to rent a tandem kayak for two hours ($40). The Quinault Rain Forest Loop Drive is a 31-mile scenic drive that circles around Lake Quinault and a section of the Quinault River, into Olympic National Park and back out on the other side. This trail links up to several other trails, so you can make this trek as long or a short as you want. Its a challenging hike, mostly uphill with an elevation gain of 1,100 feet. The weather is changing this time of year, so it was overcast and cool, but not cold. Outside temperatures can get pretty warm in the later summer months, so the lake is a welcomed reprieve from the heat. Each year, the Quinault Rain Forest gets an average of 120-140 inches of rain! The Ranger also told me to come back after to let them know how it was, they were intrigued! The lake lies just off of U.S. Route 101, which runs all the way along the Pacific coast, from northern Washington to southern California. Limited capacity. Recreation: Lake Quinault Lodge front desk staff can provide you with information about local fishing guide services (tribal and non-tribal). The Quinault Valley is a wilderness gateway to alpine meadows, jeweled lakes and ice-carved peaks. Although its located at a much more northerly latitude than the classic and well-known tropical rain forests, the Quinault Rain Forest is a temperate rain forest. Listen closely to hear the song of birds or the rustling of leaves from chipmunks and other forest creatures. I haven't done any rafting in that area myself, so I cannot recommend any business from personal experience. No hiking is required to lay eyes on these beautiful falls. The centerpiece is a huge stone fireplace thats decorated with a native American totem pole-shaped rain gauge that measures rainfall in feet. EARN . I'm glad I saw it, but I am more interested in forests and mountains than water. We decided to walk through the Quinault Lodge from our campground to check out the beach there. The spontaneity of swimming in unknown water (within safe limits) keeps me motivated to swim and manage ambiguity. We truly hope you enjoy your visit to Quinault Washington and the Olympic Peninsula! So grab your camera and let's go! Gatton Creek Falls is a 60-foot multi-tiered waterfall that can be accessed from the Gatton Creek Campground (0.6 mile to the falls). Continue along a dirt road and then loop back along a path to the starting point. Alternatively, you can also start at the Rain Forest Nature Trailhead, about a mile up the road from the lodge. Parks Collecting is a participant in the Amazon.com Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Youve got the Pacific Ranger District Quinault Office off of South Shore Road, right next to the Lake Quinault Lodge, which well tell you more about later on. It was great for us and our young son to discover colorful sea creatures who otherwise hangout below the surface. (Know that the odometer readings may be a little off if youve pulled off at any stops along the route thus far.) more. Getting your room at the Lodge is a major hassle..they wont let you in until 4pm, and then there is a line with 40 people, each one taking several minutes to process with only one assistant at the registration office. Lots of rain also = waterfalls! The following are some of the best Lake Quinault trails. Youll head under the bridge on South Shore Road and soon there after see the falls on your right. Before the arrival of European settlers, indigenous tribes inhabited the area, and the Quinault people, a Native American tribe, own the lake today. Lake Quinault Activities > Valley of the Giants Valley of the Giants. The Quinault Indian Nation (QIN) announced that Lake Quinault is open to fishing and the use of resident boats, including power boats, from August 1, 2020 through October 25, 2020. Can You Swim In Washington Beaches? Yes! In addition to the two 0.5-mile loop hikes mentioned above, we also took a stroll on the Cascade Falls Trail and part of the Gatton Creek Trail (both pictured below). Our second stop was at the bridge connectiong the south shore to the north shore. This combined Quinault Rain Forest trail is about 4 miles long and takes two hours. There are two main roads in the valley. All provide the basic comforts and modern amenities. We really think the Quinault Rainforest Loop Drive needs to be a part of your Olympic Peninsula itinerary. Enjoy the cold but exquisite waters. (Remember, the last 4 miles of this portion of the drive is on a dirt and gravel road, so it can be a little bumpy!). I told Dad to aim for Lochaerie Resort instead, where my friends and I have an annual mushroom hunting cabin trip every year. About half the loop is unpaved. Youll drive over a small bridge over Bunch Creek. Often, however, its impossible to go that fast due to rough sections, steep inclines and sharp turns. Just over a mile on the right, youll see the parking area for the Quinault Rain Forest Nature Trail. The Kestner Homestead Site, built in 1897 and rebuilt in 1900-1905, is the oldest surviving settler-built homestead in the Quinault River Valley. If you liked this post about one of the top things to do: Lake Quinault, WA,please share the love andPin It to your Olympic National Park board! Because half the route is unpaved, its unsuitable for RVs or trailers. However, the wilderness part of this Lake Quinault loop drive is unpaved and not suitable for those larger vehicles. In the late 1800s Anton Kestner built this homestead (1891) for he and his young family (his wife Josepha and their 7 children). Built in the 1926, the rustic lodge sits around a large grassy lawn on the shores of lake Quinault. We didnt embark on any trails longer than 2 miles in length. Ifinally got to the other side of the lake, aiming for what we realized was a private beach. (The lake is open seasonally during the summer and closed during the winter.) However, as I said above, check road conditions beforehand, especially if the weathers been in a bad mood lately. Outside temperatures can get pretty warm in the later summer months, so the lake is a welcomed reprieve from the heat. You may spot them all over the Quinault Valley, but arguably the best place for wildlife viewing in the Quinault Rain Forest is Bunch Fields. General information about the facilities, trails, camping, and regulations can be found on the Quinault Valley brochure. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Rainforest Resort RV Campground has 31 RV sites to choose from (including several lake-front). I'm Bram, the person behind The National Parks Experience, a blog dedicated to America's national parks and public lands, and sustainable outdoor activities. As so many other place names in the Pacific Northwest, its difficult to know how to pronounce Quinault if youve never heard the word before. We hardly saw a soul, and loved walking through the rain forest (although it wasn't raining). Go prepared to walk and be sure and visit the ocean. Many hikes are located along South Shore Road and, more often than not, leave from one of several campgrounds. Built in 1926, the Lake Quinault Lodge is a charming and rustic 92-room accommodation. 98362, Download the official NPS app before your next visit, is a little further, about 35 miles away. Here, you can explore Lake Ozette, hike to the coast, camp in one of their 15 secluded sites, and enjoy the pristine Washington scenery. (Near Lake Quinault) South Beach Campground (Near Lake Quinault) . Additionally, the resort village is also home to the Salmon House Restaurant, has a general store and gift shop, and a laundromat and paid showers. Quinault Rainforest Tour All three temperate rainforests located in the contiguous United States are on the Olympic Peninsula. When you visit Lake Quinault Lodge, whether its for a stay or just a peek inside, I highly recommend the Quinault Loop Trail. Youll need to check the tide chart and plan your visit accordingly if you want to see the tidepools. NOTE: I am not an expert and this site is meant to give you tips on OWS and some ideas for adventures. We stopped off at the lodge in the picturesque village for coffee. Logo designed by Christa Yung, www.christayung.com. It is estimated the run was typically around 20,000 fish. 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