How to Visit Lake Quinault in Olympic National Park

Quinault Lake sits at the southwestern-most point in the Olympic National Park. This area is a mixture of National Forest and National Park land, with the southern shore being part of the National Forest and the northern shore in the National Park. Quinault Lake has many things to see and do. But what makes this area so unique are the old-growth forests and waterfalls!

I have visited this area several times, always seeking something different to do. Whether you are looking for a breathtaking drive or some waterfall hikes, Quinault has a little bit of something for everyone. So, keep reading for my top places to explore in the Quinault Rain Forest.

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Permits and Passes:

Before heading to Lake Quinault, you should understand how the National Forest and National Park passes work.

With some of Quinault being in the National Forest, you may need a Discover Pass to access certain trailheads, although all of the trailheads I visited, the America the Beautiful National Parks Pass was accepted. You can purchase a Discover Pass from the South Shore Ranger Station, or the Rain Forest Nature Trail has a kiosk in the parking lot. These are ~$10/day or ~$30/year.

National Parks Passes can be purchased online or at the Quinault North Shore Ranger Station. These are ~$30 for a 7-day pass or ~$80 a year.

Getting to Lake Quinault

Lake Quinault can be accessed via the North Shore Road or the South Shore Road off Highway 101. Lake Quinault is 66 miles south of Forks and 43 miles north of Aberdeen. The main hub of the lake is about 2 1/2 miles down South Shore Road.

1. Quinault Rain Forest Loop Drive

Ultimately, what you’ll be doing here is driving the southern and northern shores of Lake Quinault. There are several hiking points from the drive that I’ll share below. The drive is a 31-mile loop. You’ll want to allow about 2 hours of drive time. Some of the road is narrow, winding, and partially gravel. RVs are not recommended for driving the entire loop.

On this drive, watch out for wildlife. You’ll drive through homesteads and pastures where elk like to graze. If you’re lucky, you’ll get a close glimpse of these majestic animals. Other critters to watch out for are black bears, black tail deer, and bobcats.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: Check for road conditions before you head out. Last time I visited, the bridge connecting the loop was washed out, so the drive was not possible. Also, I recommend starting the drive from the southern shore, as there are more amenities and things to do in this area. Check out our article Driving in Olympic: 10 Things You Need to Know for more tips.

2. Rain Forest Nature Trail

I highly recommend making this your first stop in Quinault. This half-mile hike is one of the first things you’ll encounter on the South Shore Road. This is a great starting point because there are educational markers along the trail that teach you all about the ecosystem: plant and tree identification, animal tracks, and an overall understanding of what makes up a temperate rainforest.

The Rain Forest Nature Trail is a mild hike, at 0.9 miles and 121 feet of elevation gain. It leads you above a roaring river with views of a small fern-lined canyon, then into the forest where sounds of the modern world are muffled. There are benches along the way where you can rest and take in all of the beauty that surrounds you.

There is a large parking lot with flush toilets and a pay station.

3. South Shore Quinault Ranger Station

The Ranger Station is a great place to stop by to get any information on the area. They’ll be able to tell you about road closures, give you updated maps of the area, and trail conditions. They have brochures inside with lots of information about the local plants, even including their traditional medicinal uses. There is a small gift shop featuring native artworks. This is also the best restroom that you will see for a while.

PRO TIP: If you are planning any beach days throughout Olympic National Park, take a picture of the tide chart posted on the bulletin board outside of the Ranger Station. It’s the best, most up-to-date chart that I’ve seen in the whole park.

The South Shore Ranger Station is a great starting point for several trails.

4. Falls Creek

This waterfall can be seen from Falls Creek Campground. If you aren’t staying in the campground, you can take a short stroll from the ranger station to find the falls. Walk to the left side of the ranger station, towards the road, and there is a small path leading to the campground. The falls are located under the main road. Once you’re on the trail, there is a bridge designed for hike-in campers that you can cross to get a better view of the falls.

Continue down the trail towards the lake for uninterrupted views of Lake Quinault. This can be made into a longer loop that leads you along the lake for a mile, connecting Wallaby Campground and Falls Creek Campground.

5. Quinault Loop Trail

The Quinault Loop Trail is 3.9 miles and considered easy, with 364 feet of elevation gain. The ranger station is a great starting place for this trail; however, there are several stops and start points along the way. It can also be hiked in sections.

The Quinault Loop Trail runs along Quinault Lake for about a mile before crossing the road and leading you into the forest. The lake often has a glass-like appearance, reflecting the nearby mountains and clouds.

On the forested part of this hike, you’ll pass by Cascade Falls. It’s not the best falls view in the Quinault area, but it’s still peaceful to watch the water rushing around you.

DISCOVER: 7 Can’t-Miss Hikes in Olympic National Park: A Quick and Easy Guide

6. Get on the Water

Lake Quinault Lodge has a couple of different ways to experience Quinault Lake. They offer several boat tours daily, running from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Each tour is about an hour and a half. The tours take place in the afternoon, evening, and during golden hour. This is a great option for relaxing on the river, with possibilities of seeing wildlife like eagles and river otters.

If you’re looking for a way to get a little more solitude on the lake, Lake Quinault Lodge rents out kayaks and canoes for a half-day adventure. They are reasonably priced and would give you more freedom than booking a boat tour.

If you want to bring your own canoe or kayak, there is a public boat ramp at Willaby Campground, which is free to use. If you are going to bring a motorized vessel or do any fishing, there may be permits and regulations required by the Quinault Indian Nation. You can purchase permits and get more information at the Rain Forest Resort.

If you are looking to take a swim, water access is available at the Lake Quinault Lodge, Wallaby Campground, and Falls Creek Campground. Please note that the lake is glacially fed, so the water remains extremely cold even throughout the summer, so use caution when swimming.

PRO TIP: Winds typically pick up in the afternoon on the lake, so it is advised to do your water activities in the morning, and always bring a lifejacket with you.

7. World’s Largest Sitka Spruce

An easy 0.4-mile out-and-back trail leads you to the largest Sitka spruce tree in the world. This tree hovers over you at 191 feet tall, it is over 1000 years old, and is one of several giants in the area.

To find this trailhead, you’ll head over to the Rain Forest Resort. There is a gravel parking lot next to the resort with porta-potties. Across the street, you’ll see the trailhead sign for the Largest Sitka Spruce.

The trail is a leisurely walk through the woods, taking you on a boardwalk lined with salmonberry bushes.

8. Roadside Waterfall Views

Heading along the South Shore Road, you’ll encounter a couple of noteworthy waterfalls.

About 3.5 miles from the Rain Forest Resort is Merriman Falls. There are small pull-offs on each side of the road for this waterfall. It’s a beautiful cascade, with short trails leading to the base of the falls.

Bunch Falls, located close to the bridge leading to the North Shore Road, is another easily accessible waterfall. This portion of the road is gravel, and there is not much space to pull off, but if you are determined, you can make it happen.

9. North Shore Ranger Station

This is a wilderness information station where you can get backpacking permits, rent bear canisters, and find trail information. There are a couple of trails starting from the Ranger Station. This station is only open from Memorial Day through September.

10. Maple Glade Nature Trail

Accessible from North Shore Ranger Station, this half-mile walk through the forest is one you can’t miss. You’ll stroll along clear water streams, with bright green plants, moss dripping from the trees, and skunk cabbage taking over the forest. It’s a less-traveled hike, so you’ll find peace and quiet on this route.

You can combine this with the Kestner Homestead trail to make a longer loop. This was highly recommended to us by a ranger at the South Shore. Vault toilets are available.

11. July Creek Picnic Area

There aren’t a lot of opportunities for viewing the North Shore of Lake Quinault, so I recommend stopping here for a picnic and some views of the lake. There is a 0.4-mile trail that takes you through the forest along the lake. It’s a quiet little spot to take in your final moments of the Quinault Rain Forest Loop Drive. There is a vault toilet located here as well.

Where to Stay

Camping in Lake Quinault Rain Forest

• Falls Creek Campground: Featuring 21 drive-in sites and 10 walk-in campsites. There is a vault toilet. This campground is open seasonally, Memorial Day through Labor Day.
• Wallaby Campground: Featuring 19 drive-up sites, 10 overflow sites for RV dry camping, and 2 walk-in campsites. It is open from mid-May to mid-October. There are flush toilets.
• Gatton Creek Campground: Featuring 5 walk-in campsites and 10 overflow parking spots for self-contained vehicles.
• North Fork Campground: Located 3 miles from the Quinault Rain Forest Loop Road. This is considered a primitive campground, with limited amenities and no reservations required. There are 9 campsites available here with vault toilets open seasonally.

DON’T MISS: Best Places to Camp In and Around Olympic National Park

Lodging in Lake Quinault Rain Forest

• Rainbow Forest Resort Village: This is the only RV park in Lake Quinault.
• Lake Quinault Lodge: A rustic lodge built in 1926. The lodge features rooms with Quinault Lake views. Some of the guest amenities include a sauna, an indoor swimming pool, and lake access.

Other Amenities to Note in the Quinault Rain Forest

Lake Quinault Chevron: This is the only gas station situated on Lake Quinault. I would only go here in a pinch, though. The gas stations in Amanda Park, located 3 miles down the road on Highway 101, are about a dollar cheaper.

The Mercantile: They have basic grocery and camping supplies here. However, they are not consistently open, so I wouldn’t rely on this being a main source for supplies.

Rainbow Forest Resort Village: This little spot has about everything that you might be looking for. There is a general store where you will find coffee, dried goods, and chilled beverages. On the left side of the store is a little gift shop with locally made art. Also on site is a post office, a laundry mat, and showers that are open to the public. I’ve used the laundromat; they have card readers and tap-to-pay on the machines, which is nice because you don’t have to worry about carrying cash with you.

Lake Quinault Lodge: This rustic lodge is pretty to look at, but also offers a couple of things you might want to check out. The Roosevelt Dining Room offers lake view seating with delicious food options. They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but are not open all day long, so check the hours before heading in. There is also a gift shop here offering a variety of souvenirs to take home.

DISCOVER: Where to Eat In and Around Olympic National Park

Know Before You Go:

• There is minimal cell reception in Lake Quinault, so be sure to download offline maps or stop by a ranger station for up-to-date area maps.
• Because of the remoteness of some of the hiking trails in Lake Quinault, you must be bear and animal aware! Never leave food unattended, bring bear canisters for backcountry hiking, and pack your bear spray.
• While Lake Quinault is not as busy as other areas of Olympic National Park, it can get up to a thousand visitors a day in the summer. I recommend starting your days early or visiting the area in the shoulder season during May or September.
• Always leave no trace and respect the land.

Whether you are looking to visit Lake Quinault as a multi-day experience or a day trip, there is plenty to see and do in the area. If waterfalls and old-growth forests are calling you, this is the place to visit!

What Else Do I Need to Know?

Most travelers want to visit the most popular sites and still avoid the crowds. We created a step-by-step itinerary so you can visit the best places at the right times.