So, if youre trying to figure out what to do at Lake Quinault, Ive got a bunch of suggestions for you below. (More on where we stayed in a bit. Mornings are typically pretty calm on the lake, so. Graves Creek Road is a 6-mile extension of the Quinault Rain Forest Loop Drive. You can see a couple of them on the Quinault loop trails near the lodge, most notably Cascade Falls and Gatton Creek Falls. This type of rain forest exists only on the northwest coast of North America, in Chile, Southern Australia and New Zealand. Kalaloch is a little further, about 35 miles away. We decided to walk through the Quinault Lodge from our campground to check out the beach there. 93400 & S Shore Rd, Quinault, WA 98575. . Before our visit to the Quinault Valley, we werent quite sure what all there was to do around Lake Quinault. Is the Quinault Rain Forest Really a Rain Forest? Outside temperatures can get pretty warm in the later summer months, so the lake is a welcomed reprieve from the heat. He has rafted through the Grand Canyon; rappelled down slot canyons near Zion and Arches; hiked among the hoodoos in Bryce and the enormous trees in Sequoia; admired the waterfalls in Yosemite and the colored hot springs in Yellowstone; seen moose in Grand Tetons and seals in the Channel Islands, and much more. In the southwestern corner of Olympic National Park lies one of its most accessible wilderness areas. We decided to find a different campground near Lake Quinault so we could swim. It was great for us and our young son to discover colorful sea creatures who otherwise hangout below the surface. 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. Approximate driving times to Lake Quinault from major towns and cities in the region are as follows: From other main areas in Washingtons Olympic National Park, these are the times itll take you to get to Lake Quinault: The one feature that links together all the best things to do at Lake Quinault, the Quinault Rain Forest Loop Drive is 31 miles long. See all 1 Lake Quinault tours on Tripadvisor, Renovated Olympia Cabin w/ Private Dock on Lake, View all hotels near Lake Quinault on Tripadvisor, View all restaurants near Lake Quinault on Tripadvisor, Hotels near Pacific Ranger District - Quinault Office, Hotels near Seattle-Tacoma Intl Airport (SEA), Motels near Seattle-Tacoma Intl Airport (SEA), Haunted Cologne Outdoor Escape Game: Witch Hunt, All Rome 1 Day Tour - Luxury Car, EntranceTickets, Lunch included, Playa del Carmen Salsa or Bachata Dance lesson from Playa del Carmen, The New York Pass: 100+ Attractions including Empire State Building, Loch Lomond, Kelpies & Stirling Castle Small-Group Day Tour, Best of Chicago Small Group Tour with Skydeck + Shoreline Cruise. #3 of 13 things to do in Quinault Nature & Parks, Bodies of Water Quinault, WA 98575-9700 Save Temperate Rainforest Olympic National Park 1 Book in advance from $391.39 per adult Check availability View full product details MKRedSox Winston Salem, North Carolina 55 45 Perfect lake for Swimming Review of Lake Quinault Reviewed July 15, 2014 Id love to hear about them. 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. With enormous trees and lush rain forests to lake views, waterfalls and wildlife, the Quinault Rain Forest loop drive is a great way to experience the highlights of the Quinault Valley. Its the tallest and most beautiful of the major lower Quinault Valley waterfalls. Longer hiking trails through the Olympic Wilderness follow the North Fork Quinault River to the Low Divide, or the East Fork Quinault River to the historic Enchanted Chalet. Located on the Olympic Peninsula in northwestern Washington, Lake Quinault lies in the glacier-carved Quinault Valley in the southwestern corner of Olympic National Park. 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. If youre driving the loop clockwise, soon after the bridge, youll see the falls on your left. 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. Beautiful Lake with Plenty of Diverse Hikes. Call us 1-888-461-2214. Lake Quinault. I'd attempted to swim Lake Quinault once before, but giant logs and no safety kayak prevented my crossing. Soon after leaving Bunch Creek Falls, you transition from Olympic National Park into Quinault National Forest. Your safety is ultimately in your own hands. Very peaceful and a good hike. 1.0 mi. The loop road travels through forests and wetlands, at times turning into a gravel road with abundant potholes, in places climbing steep hillsides with sharp drop-offs. The drive can be completed in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. The lodge now holds a spot on the National Register of Historic Places. Stops include highlights of the loop drive such as the worlds largest spruce tree, Maple Glade and Kestner Homestead. Fortunately, most of the rain falls in winter when few people visit. For more remote camping in Olympic National Park, on the other hand, there are two options. The star accommodation at Lake Quinault is without a doubt the Lake Quinault Lodge. Pool Hours 8:00AM -10:00PM. Bears, black tail deer and Roosevelt Elk are often seen all around this area. The furniture he made from big leaf maple trees. Youll need to check the tide chart and plan your visit accordingly if you want to see the tidepools. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This guide has everything you need to know, including all the best stops and insider tips. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Throughout the journey one feels removed from the busy hubbub of daily life. This 1.3-mile loop trail leaves from the national park Ranger Station and connects with the Maple Glade Loop. This is the location of the worlds largest Sitka spruce tree, too. Fishing for salmon in the lake is NOT permitted but you are allowed to fish for salmon in the lower Quinault River. Your journey begins where South Shore Road breaks off from Highway 101. Limited capacity. While rustic lodges are nice, they cant quite offer all of the comforts and luxuries of a vacation home rental! From lodges, inns and resorts to a variety of campgrounds, whatever accommodation style you prefer, youll find it here. We particularly enjoyed the day use area at Willaby Campground (shown on the right in the next photo). A 30-mile loop drive takes you on a scenic trip around the lake. Today, there are a variety of room types, an indoor swimming pool and sauna, a game room and even a conference room. Theres no shortage of places to stay at Lake Quinault. Olympic National Park and Forest Lake Quinault Tours. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. There is a small primitive parking area at the end of a short drive in a dirt road off the main road. Theyre a great option if youd like to camp near at least some development. All three temperate rainforests located in the contiguous United States are on the Olympic Peninsula. A good place to start is from the Quinault Rain Forest Ranger Station. While driving the scenic loop drive, theres Merriman Falls first, which I found a bit underwhelming. No time right now to read about the Lake Quinault loop drive? The lake, rainforest and mountains are a perfect backdrop to your vacation home in Quinault. Experience the enormous ferns and magical moss of the temperate rain forest as part of the trail goes through Willaby Creek Canyon. This is a lovely spot to relax, enjoy the waterfall and have a snack. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. Could be Alaska Lake Quinault: Best time in the spring with toddler and baby. Bring a camera, hiking shoes, and rain gear. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. A great insurance option isTravelex. Both the waterfalls are close to the road, but easy to miss. There are two main roads in the valley. Yes! There is a short 1.3 mile loop to the old Kestner homestead, and another that winds through groves of bigleaf maples. I urge you to pause here and take it all in. 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. Along the drive, there were plenty of hikes to enjoy. While there is no tour specifically for the entire loop drive, if you prefer to have someone drive for you and want an expert guide to take you, there is a private full day tour from Seattle to the Quinault Valley. On my two-day visit to the Quinault Valley, I saw banana slugs on the Quinault Loop Trail, a coyote at Kestner Homestead, salmon in the upper Quinault River, a loon and Canada geese on Lake Quinault itself, and elk at Bunch Fields. James Ian has traveled to 82 countries and all 7 continents. Sport fishing on Lake Quinault will be allowed April 26 through Nov. 2, and all non-tribal people must obtain a fishing permit. My goal is to help you have the most amazing trip of your life to one or more of Americas national parks by sharing detailed information and insights with you. You can reserve your site at Willaby and Falls Creek campgrounds by visiting Recreation.Gov. This was our second visit to the peninsula. Natural features I just didn't know when I may use it for a long-distance swim! We proudly offer our Lake Quinault Rainforest Tour year-round, departing fromLake Quinault Lodge- the only guest accommodations directly inside the rainforest. (Under age of 2, seated on a Parents Lap). Quinault is located in the southwestern area of the park, about a three-hour drive from Port Angeles and one hour from Forks (directions). The menu is limited and nothing to rave about. I, myself, spent two days and one night in the area. Its worth getting out at the bridge at either end and admiring the view. Plus the lodge is an hour's drive away from the Pacific Ocean via Highway 101. This is a unique place and, if you give it a chance, itll show it to you. Grocery store options are also somewhat limited. From the rain forest trail, take the short, but semi-steep path from the main loop. Do you have any tips for driving around Lake Quinault Olympic National Park or other suggestions for things to do in the Lake Quinault area? Specifically, Bunch Fields is well-known for being a favored grazing area of Roosevelt elk and black bears alike. It is located in the glacial -carved Quinault Valley of the Quinault River, at the southern edge of Olympic National Park in the northwestern United States. Make sure to consult the. Spontaneous trip across Olympic Peninsula lake, found a kayak rental spot and had my suit in the car! 91% of travelers recommend this experience. Keep an eye for Roosevelt Elk, as they are often seen in the area. 0.1 mi. TOP TOUR: Book a Quinault Rain Forest tour nowTOP HOTEL PICK: Check availability nowFIND THE CHEAPEST CAR RENTAL: Search Discover Cars for the best dealsFIND THE CHEAPEST FLIGHTS: Search Skyscanner for the best dealsGET TRAVEL INSURANCE: Get insured with Travelex before you go. Can you swim in Lake Quinault? I cant imagine a better way to fuel up for a day of Quinault Rain Forest adventures. I didn't plan to swim across Lake Quinault. If youve got more time, we definitely encourage you to check out more of the peninsula and Olympic National Park. Walk across the bridge, look around, look up, look down, take a deep breath. Olympic National Forest and Park Information Station: open daily in summer, weekdays only the rest . Just after the mercantile and museum, you will see the starting point for the Cascade Falls trailhead. It features a large sitting area, restaurant, grassy lawn with wonderful lake views, boat rentals and lake access. South Beach Campground. We loved Lake Quinault the first week of June because school wasn't out yet so no one was there and it was so peaceful and flowers were still blooming and there were lots of easy trails for toddlers and strollers! Built in the 1926, the rustic lodge sits around a large grassy lawn on the shores of lake Quinault. On the opposite side of Lake Quinault (just under a 10-mile drive from the Quinault Rain Forest Trail) is the equally magnificent Maple Glade Rain Forest Trail. Note: This is a very wet region and storms can sometimes severely damage Quinault Valley roads. I asked the kayak rental spot how far it was across the lake - they said maybe 2 miles. Most of Lake Quinaults southern shore is surrounded by Quinault National Forest. We truly hope you enjoy your visit to Quinault Washington and the Olympic Peninsula! Listen closely to hear the song of birds or the rustling of leaves from chipmunks and other forest creatures. For an even shorter and easier trail that is a nice introduction to the temperate rain forest, take the Rain Forest Nature Loop Trail. The behemoth trees include the largest Western Red Cedar in the world, the largest Douglas Fir in the world (co-champion), the largest Yellow Cedar in the US, the largest Western Hemlock in the US, the largest Mountain Hemlock in the world, and the largest Sitka Spruce in the world (shown below)! Best Beaches near Lake Quinault Lodge in Quinault, WA. For shorter visits, the valley has a scenic loop drive and short trails through temperate rain forest in both Olympic National Park and Olympic National Forest. Limited capacity. The Quinault Rain Forest receives an average of 12 feet (3.7 meters) of rainfall per year. Learn more about who we are and what we do HERE. If you plan to do some hikes on the route as well, it can take a full day. Fishing will only be allowed from one hour before sunrise to one. Then look up at the trees. I took a lot of breaks, more than normal. (The lake is open seasonally during the summer and closed during the winter.) You can read more about ourTerms of Use / Disclosure here. And youve got the Quinault River Ranger Station along North Shore Road. Continue along a dirt road and then loop back along a path to the starting point. Lakes. In the forest, take a moment or two to be still. As I mentioned earlier, though, make sure to check road conditions beforehand if youre in doubt. Longer Cascading Terraces hike alternative: If youre in the mood for a longer hike in the rain forest wilderness, nothing beats the roundtrip hike to Pony Bridge. more. There are more shades of green in the glade than in an entire paint factory. This path is also a half-mile loop, starting near the Quinault River Ranger Station. The owner started walking down the hill. This is an unspoiled wilderness landscape, complete with (seasonal) salmon struggling against the swift current below you. 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