However, the very best place to see large animals is definitely the easternmost section of the Quinault Rain Forest Loop Drive in Olympic National Park. Offering amazing lake views, all of these are within Olympic National Forest. Enjoy the cold but exquisite waters. Bring a camera, hiking shoes, and rain gear. This is another easy (less than 2 miles) hike to a beautiful cascading waterfall. I'd plan to swim across with my Dad kayaking, and then hop in the kayak on the way back. Ifinally got to the other side of the lake, aiming for what we realized was a private beach. I urge you to pause here and take it all in. This will be a trip you will never forget. Even if you dont stay here, its worth visiting for a drink in the lounge or a meal in the classic Roosevelt Dining Room (yes, the president dined there in the 1930s). Top ways to experience Lake Quinault and nearby attractions Temperate Rainforest Olympic National Park 1 Full-day Tours from $391.39 per adult BEST Olympic National Park Day Tour from Seattle 39 Full-day Tours from $168.00 per adult BEST SELLER Beneath The Streets Underground History Tour 3,143 Recommended Walking Tours from $29.03 per adult Occasionally, there are sharp turns, loose gravel, narrow stretches and steep inclines. However, in the Pacific Northwest, gray skies and fog truly help set the right mood! (Under age of 2, seated on a Parents Lap). HOT TUB OPEN. Explore Quinault's Hidden Gems. The Kestner family, however, stuck it out and spent 4 decades in the valley. Hi Katherine! From the outside the lodge is stunning and the wildlife fascinating . We stopped off at the lodge in the picturesque village for coffee. During our first visit years ago, we fell in love with its captivating and moody coast. Gatton Creek Campground offers 5 walk-in tent sites, potable water, and flush toilets. There arent too many places in the continental US where you can hike through a rain forest. Rain Forest Resort Village. On the other hand, if youre planning on seeing the above-described Quinault attractions and doing some Lake Quinault hiking, you should count on at least one full day. Can you swim in Baker Lake? The Lake Quinault Loop starts from Highway 101 (the main road that loops around the entire Olympic Peninsula) at the end of Lake Quinault and, driving in a clockwise direction, goes along North Shore Drive, continues up the north bank of the Quinault River, crosses the river at the Upper Quinault River Bridge, then heads back along the south shore of the Quinault River and the South Shore Road to Highway 101. If nobody is behind you, stop your car, and take a moment to take it all in! It was perfect. The trail takes you through abandoned farm fields and a blissfully cool forest. So, if youre trying to figure out what to do at Lake Quinault, Ive got a bunch of suggestions for you below. Youll head under the bridge on South Shore Road and soon there after see the falls on your right. 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. With so much incredible scenery, it might be easy to forget the excellent fishing, boating, canoeing, kayaking, swimming, golfing, and picnicking opportunities that abound at Lake Quinault. Most people tend to drive it counterclockwise, but I prefer it clockwise, because this gives you a chance to visit the main Olympic National Park hikes first thing in the morning. Featuring various lake activities, such as boating and fishing, as well as fantastic wildlife viewing, great hiking, breathtaking Quinault Rain Forest scenery, and some beautiful Lake Quinault waterfalls, the many things to do at Lake Quinault will keep you busy for a day or two (and possibly more). One trail is the Falls Creek Loop from near Quinault Lodge to Cascade Falls. Lake Quinault: Address, Lake Quinault Reviews: 4.5/5. We and our partners share information on your use of this website to help improve your experience. We are a community centered around Lake Quinault and surrounded by temperate rain forest. Max 10 people. 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. Id love to hear about them. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Sport fishing on Lake Quinault will be allowed April 26 through Nov. 2, and all non-tribal people must obtain a fishing permit. Theyre best seen in fall and winter when the rainfall makes them more dramatic, but theyre worth a visit even in the dry season. Note: When hiking in areas where wildlife is present, its essential that you know what to do in case of an encounter. Or, if you'd prefer, stretch your legs on one of the area's many hiking trails, like . Keep an eye for Roosevelt Elk, as they are often seen in the area. South Beach Campground. There are also a variety of lodging opportunities in the nearby area. This 5-mile there-and-back hike starts at the Enchanted Valley Trailhead and leads to a gorgeously photogenic bridge across the East Fork Quinault River. Learn more about who we are and what we do HERE. The Quinault Valley is known as the Valley of the Giants.. (The lake is open seasonally during the summer and closed during the winter.) The drive takes you along the north and south shores of the lake and into the heart of the Quinault Valley. 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? 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. I could only see my hands in front of me, pushing through the water, gliding. Rainier Day Trip from Seattle, Viator Exclusive Tour- Olympic National Park Tour from Seattle, 2 Hour Guided Boat Tour in Gig Harbor and Narrows Bridges, Shared Sunset Cruise from Gig Harbor on Puget Sound, Olympic National Park Luxury Small-Group Day Tour with Lunch, Day Trip from Seattle to Victoria on the Victoria Clipper, Mt Rainier Seaplane Tour Departing from Lake Washington, Evening Colors Sunset Sail Tour in Seattle. We stayed at Lake Quinault Lodge and highly recommend it. A large portion of it is unpaved, but its graded and generally in decent condition. Day Trips From Dublin Self Drive and Bus Tours. 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. Before the arrival of European settlers, indigenous tribes inhabited the area, and the Quinault people, a Native American tribe, own the lake today. Quinault is located in the southwestern area of the park, about a three-hour drive from Port Angeles and one hour from Forks (directions). Bears, black tail deer and Roosevelt Elk are often seen all around this area. Lake Quinault Lodge is open year-round. Alternatively, you can also start at the Rain Forest Nature Trailhead, about a mile up the road from the lodge. We stayed in a cabin at Rain Forest Resort Village for the night, then, drove the 31-mile loop drive around the lake. Though because its another hour north of Ruby Beach, it would be close to 2 hours from Lake Quinault. 0.2 miles further down the road on your left, youll come to Willaby Campground. Often, however, its impossible to go that fast due to rough sections, steep inclines and sharp turns. The Quinault Rain Forest receives an average of 12 feet (3.7 meters) of rainfall per year. Beaches. However, as I said above, check road conditions beforehand, especially if the weathers been in a bad mood lately. Finally, go down to the banks of the river and look down you may discover quartz crystals glistening in the sun. We decided to pitch our tent at the campground, and I tested out the waters with a short 30 minute swim. Views from the bridge overlooking the east fork of the Quinault River as you pass from Shore Shore Road to North Shore Road are superb. If youve got more time, we definitely encourage you to check out more of the peninsula and Olympic National Park. The trail loops through a stunning glade filled with twisted Big Leaf Maple trees. For the kids and those young at heart, an arcade/game room can be enjoyed, there is also an indoor swimming pool, gift shops, lake access, and a sauna. GUEST UPDATES: Please read for the latest information, CLICK HERE. Quinault lodge has canoes and kayaks. I haven't done any rafting in that area myself, so I cannot recommend any business from personal experience. Miles of trails, swimming, and fishing are also easily accessible from the campgrounds and resorts around the lake and in the forest. Ill tell you why below. Surrounded by moss-covered trees, ferns and lush undergrowth, the falls drop down into a mass of mossy rocks and logs. Plus, the largest Yellow Cedar and Western Hemlock trees in the United States. There is a small primitive parking area at the end of a short drive in a dirt road off the main road. What Are the Best Hikes near Lake Quinault? . The speed limit on the Lake Quinault Rain Forest Loop Drive varies between 25 and 35 mph. There is a large section of the drive that is unpaved but for us that was the best section as the trees are the most spectacular on that part of the drive. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Could be Alaska Lake Quinault: Best time in the spring with toddler and baby. The Kestner Homestead Site, built in 1897 and rebuilt in 1900-1905, is the oldest surviving settler-built homestead in the Quinault River Valley. I did all these things in just a couple of dayseasily and with time to spare to hang out, drink in hand, near the lake. The Quinault Rain Forest is one of the worlds wettest places, receiving 12 feet (3.7 meters) of precipitation on average each year. 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. It continues along the south bank of the East Fork Quinault River to its terminus at Graves Creek Campground and the Enchanted Valley Trailhead. Read more about our experiences on various attractions around the peninsula. I'd attempted to swim Lake Quinault once before, but giant logs and no safety kayak prevented my crossing. Lake Quinault Lodge offers its guests and visitors to the area dining options, a gift shop, and boat rentals. call the Inn and ask them about that. Yes! 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. We decided to walk through the Quinault Lodge from our campground to check out the beach there. Bunch Falls, on the other hand, is spectacular. The tree is impressive by any standards. The surroundings are breathtaking. While I was swimming, I thought maybe I was crazy to do this without really knowing the water and what's underneath, but I kept going. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. 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. Is the Lake Quinault Loop Drive Suitable for 2-Wheel-Drive Cars? Grocery store options are also somewhat limited. This is the first of two Lake Quinault waterfalls on the loop drive. Today, there are a variety of room types, an indoor swimming pool and sauna, a game room and even a conference room. You can read more about ourTerms of Use / Disclosure here. This massive amount of water feeds waterfalls and lakes, creates phenomenal blankets of moss and ferns, and nourishes trees, which grow incredibly tall here. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Lake Quinault is a natural lake that lies at the end of the Quinault Valley. Proudly created with Wix.com. This is a great spot to enjoy panoramic views of Lake Quinault. We decided to walk through the Quinault Lodge from our campground to check out the beach there. Lake Quinault Activities > Valley of the Giants Valley of the Giants. The Lodge has its very own restaurant where you can enjoy dinner with a view of the lake, and gift shop. Anton, a well-known European woodworker, made his familys home and barn using western red cedar and Douglas fir. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. Adventure awaits you at every turn. A grand and rustic lodge built in 1926 in the heart of the Quinault Rain Forest among ancient Sitka spruce, Douglas fir, western red cedar, and western hemlocks, on the south shore of Lake Quinault. We proudly offer our Lake Quinault Rainforest Tour year-round, departing from. Mornings are typically pretty calm on the lake, so. (TIP: If youve got kids and youre coming to the peninsula from Seattle, break up the 3-hour drive with a halfway stop by the Hands on Childrens Museum in Olympia. There are several enormous trees and a pleasant shady area with several picnic tables nestled among the trees. Listen closely to hear the song of birds or the rustling of leaves from chipmunks and other forest creatures. 345 South Shore Road Quinault, WA 98575 Room Types Places to Stay: choose the best travel insurance plan for your trip here, 10 Fun Facts about Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. We chatted for a while, and eventually Dad and I decided to make the trip back across the lake in the kayak. 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