(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!). The found the Big Cedar Trail closed and unkempt, the Maple Glade Trail ok but without elk. This trip was the first of many lake swims throughout Washington. Soft light filters through the leaves. For more remote camping in Olympic National Park, on the other hand, there are two options. All three temperate rainforests located in the contiguous United States are on the Olympic Peninsula. 0.1 mi. I urge you to pause here and take it all in. 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. In the warmer months, Swim quite waters of Lake Quinault. Terms of Service apply. The trail takes you through abandoned farm fields and a blissfully cool forest. Be smart out there and have fun! Can you swim in Lake Quinault? This might be one of the more obvious things to do in the Quinault Rain Forest, but its definitely worth mentioning. Willaby Falls is easily accessed from Willaby Campground via a short walk just past site #14. Large peaceful lake with a walking track on some parts. Your Vacation Awaits. Call Us. Also in the Valley are the worlds largest Douglas Fir and Mountain Hemlock trees. . 93400 & S Shore Rd, Quinault, WA 98575. . The six used to include the worlds largest Western Red Cedar tree, but this fell down in a storm in 2016 and the trail to the fallen tree has since been closed. Lake Quinault Lodge is located on Lake Quinault just outside the southwest border of Olympic National Park. (The lake is open seasonally during the summer and closed during the winter.) If you have a regular vehicle, you can drive it most of the time, but go slowly and keep an eye for potholes. Lake Quinault - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos). Its just as beautiful as the more well-known Hoh Rainforest and there are a lot fewer people. Stops include highlights of the loop drive such as the worlds largest spruce tree, Maple Glade and Kestner Homestead. Though because its another hour north of Ruby Beach, it would be close to 2 hours from Lake Quinault. Natural features 91% of travelers recommend this experience. There is a small primitive parking area at the end of a short drive in a dirt road off the main road. No time right now to read about the Lake Quinault loop drive? Fletcher Canyon is a magical place, with multi-hued moss, enormous ferns and enormous tees. Here, it's always fun to go with the flow. Fishing will only be allowed from one hour before sunrise to one. Lake Quinault: Address, Lake Quinault Reviews: 4.5/5. Theres no shortage of places to stay at Lake Quinault. We prefer a little more solitude and space to spread out when we travel. It was perfect. It continues along the south bank of the East Fork Quinault River to its terminus at Graves Creek Campground and the Enchanted Valley Trailhead. Here you can access their day use area (fee required) and take a short (0.2 mile) walk to the picturesque, but slightly hard to see, Willaby Falls. Olympic National Park lies along the north shore and Olympic National Forest lies along most of the south shore. Offering amazing lake views, all of these are within Olympic National Forest. . The lake itself is beautiful and seems well managed by the Quinault Tribe. At just past the 12-mile mark on your odometer youll come to Bunch Falls just before you turn left over the bridge to get to North Shore Road. The largest temperate rain forests on Earth, however, are those right here in the Pacific Northwest. Stop off at the ranger station in Olympic National Park, near the Maple Glade Loop and Kestner Homestead Trail. The Lodge has its very own restaurant where you can enjoy dinner with a view of the lake, and gift shop. Outside temperatures can get pretty warm in the later summer months, so the lake is a welcomed reprieve from the heat. 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. Review tags are currently only available for English language reviews. 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. Here is where it becomes very handy to have set your cars odometer to 0 when turning from Highway 101 to South Shore Road. This map details trailhead locations and distances. The rooms had no TV, phone or fridge, and we were paying $320 dollars for one night. 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). The lake may be accessed from the north and the south. 40-feet Merriman Falls may not be the tallest waterfall youll ever see, but they are very picturesque. During my visit in October, this was a rather rough road at places, with a few muddy and narrow sections. While there arent as many stopping points along North Shore Road, its still a beautiful journey. 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. 94% of travelers recommend this experience. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. 30 Mi long gravel road (potholes), boarded on both sides by fairy-tale trees. This combined Quinault Rain Forest trail is about 4 miles long and takes two hours. The sections of the road along the south and north shore, as well as a part along the river, are paved and accessible to RVs and trailers. In the South Shore area, food was only available at the Salmon House and Roosevelt Restaurant. 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. You can combine them as you see fit. Keep a careful eye as you near them. Check road conditions at the Olympic National Forest Pacific Ranger Station next to the Lake Quinault Lodge, or at the Olympic National Park Quinault River Ranger Station on the north shore. The drive can be completed in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. This trail links up to several other trails, so you can make this trek as long or a short as you want. This is the location of the worlds largest Sitka spruce tree, too. Nearby Areas: Queets is a short drive to the west. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. The lake, rainforest and mountains are a perfect backdrop to your vacation home in Quinault. Moss drapes from winding branches and clings to tree trunks, while enormous ferns cluster the undergrowth. The surroundings are breathtaking. Its a nice place to stop, enjoy a snack, walk the quick and easy loop trail, and take in gorgeous views of the lake. How Much Time Does the Quinault Rain Forest Scenic Drive Take? In fact, it has been appropriately named the Valley of Rainforest Giants, as it contains 6 champion conifer trees. Lake Quinault Activities > Valley of the Giants Valley of the Giants. You can also get close to the Quinault River here. Since we are currently traveling with our almost 2-year old, we stuck to pretty easy hikes. The Hoh Rainforest gets most of the attention, but this 0.5-mile loop in Olympic National Park is just as (if not more) beautiful and is a lot less crowded. If youve got more time, we definitely encourage you to check out more of the peninsula and Olympic National Park. 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. We and our partners share information on your use of this website to help improve your experience. While driving the scenic loop drive, theres Merriman Falls first, which I found a bit underwhelming. Nicknamed the Valley of the Rain Forest Giants, the Quinault Valley is home to no fewer than six of the worlds tallest trees. This is a collection of several shorter Lake Quinault south shore hiking trails that loop through the rain forest across the road from the lodge. While some of them arent accessible, there are a couple that are super-easy to see. The speed limit on the Lake Quinault Rain Forest Loop Drive varies between 25 and 35 mph. They are very friendly and I would recommend stopping by. We proudly offer our Lake Quinault Rainforest Tour year-round, departing from Lake Quinault Lodge - the only guest accommodations directly inside the rainforest. Day Trips From Dublin Self Drive and Bus Tours. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. This is a lovely spot to relax, enjoy the waterfall and have a snack. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Then look up at the trees. Full payment for Quinault Rainforest Tour will be processed at time of booking. So naturally, there are numerous cascades and waterfalls around Lake Quinault. If youre doing the drive counterclockwise, the falls are on the right soon after the sign indicating youre entering Olympic National Park. Quinault is located in the southwestern area of the park, about a three-hour drive from Port Angeles and one hour from Forks (directions). Check availability HERE to see if this stunning Quinault lake house is available when you want to visit! Much less famous and quieter than other attractions in Olympic National Park, such as Ruby Beach, the Hoh Rain Forest and Sol Duc Falls, this is a great destination for a weekend getaway. I had packed my wetsuit just in case I wanted to swim - we hadn't planned being near Lake Quinault. 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. Take a drive around the lake to view beautiful waterfalls, record breaking trees, and breathtaking wildlife. Facilities: Quinault Rain Forest Ranger Station: accessible restrooms, picnic tables, self-guided nature trails. Theyre best seen in fall and winter when the rainfall makes them more dramatic, but theyre worth a visit even in the dry season. (The lake is open seasonally during the summer and closed during the winter.) Keep an eye out for wildlife, especially around dawn and dusk when animals are more active and may wander on to the road. EARN . Sockeye are unique in that they require a lake to rear in as fry, so the river they . This is how you pronounce Quinault: kwin-ALT. Spacious and convenient. Accommodations range from simple lodge rooms to more spacious lodging with fireplaces and TVs. Once youve gone a total of 6.6 miles, youll come to Merriman Falls. And when you see our pictures of the tidepools, youll understand why! Despite the early morning 45-minute drive from Lake Quinault, we had the most wonderful time! Gatton Creek Campground offers 5 walk-in tent sites, potable water, and flush toilets. A large portion of it is unpaved, but its graded and generally in decent condition. However, if you enjoy the challenge, the rewards are worth it! Driving along the lake, we found Falls Creek Campground. My recommend place to start this amazing Olympic hike is the Lake Quinault Lodge. Be sure to read through these articles to get even more ideas for your visit! We wouldve driven right past Merriman Falls ourselves, if we didnt have the windows rolled down to hear the sound of rushing water. About half of the route is paved and half is unpaved, but is in generally good condition. Most sites are big enough to accommodate even the largest of RVs. Pool Hours 8:00AM -10:00PM. As such, waterfalls are abundant in this area. Explore Quinault's Hidden Gems. Temperate Rainforest Olympic National Park, Best of Olympic National Park from Seattle: All-Inclusive Small-Group Day Tour, Beneath The Streets Underground History Tour, BEST Olympic National Park Day Tour from Seattle, Visit Snoqualmie Falls and Hike to Twin Falls, 20-Minute Narrated Seattle Seaplane Flight from Lake Washington, Viator Exclusive Tour - Mt. This is a tired old hotel past it's heyday. The total distances range from about 1.5 to 8 miles. Lake Quinault ( / kwnlt / or / kwnlt /) is a lake on the Olympic Peninsula in western Washington state. Lake Quinault ( or ) is a lake on the Olympic Peninsula in western Washington state. ), Lake Quinault weather can be finicky, so be sure to check the forecast before heading out. A regular sedan car is generally OK, though. Unexpectedly, we found, Since the Lodge was unsure of the distance, we went to the, finally got to the other side of the lake, aiming for what we realized was a private beach. It was perfect with the kids. Quinault, WA 98575. . Make sure to consult the. The Lake Quinault Loop is 31 miles. Swimming only, no loitering . The trail loops through a stunning glade filled with twisted Big Leaf Maple trees. In the late 1800s Anton Kestner built this homestead (1891) for he and his young family (his wife Josepha and their 7 children). 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. Lakes. With a vacation rental, you get a home away from homemany rentals offer full kitchens and outdoor grills for some home cooking. Lovely, clean lake surrounded by hills and rainforest. Some walks head in land but part of one trail is along the lake which is clear and cold. From lodges, inns and resorts to a variety of campgrounds, whatever accommodation style you prefer, youll find it here. Unexpectedly, we found kayak rentals. Continue on to about the 21-mile mark where youll find a parking area to take a quick stroll to the Kestner Homestead. I've been skipping Masters practice in lieu of open water swims, at a detriment. (I drove it twice with my front-wheel-drive VW Jetta.) All provide the basic comforts and modern amenities. Can You Swim In Washington Beaches? The place to swim is the Devil's Punchbowl. The trails we took were not crowded at all for a Sunday. Our Coach Tour, given by the Lodge, presented many different views of the lake and had much fascinating history of the lake and the region. Here, you can explore Lake Ozette, hike to the coast, camp in one of their 15 secluded sites, and enjoy the pristine Washington scenery. Hiking on the Kestner Homestead Trail in the Quinault Rain Forest The Kestner Homestead trail is a 1.3-mile loop through the rainforest and an abandoned 100-year-old homestead. 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. Or be your own captain and rent a canoe, kayak, or stand-up paddle board from the lodge. The Quinault Valley has six champion conifer trees! Its also called Bunch Falls. Both are good. This things to do at Lake Quinault post contains affiliate links. Fabulous scenic drive around Lake Quinault. 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. 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. It is estimated to be about 1,000 years old! I'm beyond the age of having little kids, and I think this place would be a great stop for families to let the kiddies out of the car and run around. 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. Its worth getting out at the bridge at either end and admiring the view. Ill tell you why below. 93400 & S Shore Rd, Quinault, WA 98575. . I'd plan to swim across with my Dad kayaking, and then hop in the kayak on the way back. Otherwise, Ruby Beach is still a piece of magnificent shoreline filled with driftwood, seastacks, and stacked rocks. For information about privacy, cookies, copyright, advertising and other legal matters, please visit our Terms of Use / Disclosure Page here. Miles of trails, swimming, and fishing are also easily accessible from the campgrounds and resorts around the lake and in the forest. 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. . call the Inn and ask them about that. Lake Quinault is an exceptional choice for ease of waterfall viewing. Please refer to the blog posts below for specific information: Hiking is definitely one of the top things to do at Lake Quinault. On dry and sunny days, the loop drive is definitely suitable for 2WD vehicles. You can choose the best travel insurance plan for your trip here or get a quote right now: Enjoy the drive around Lake Quinault, Washington! Finally, go down to the banks of the river and look down you may discover quartz crystals glistening in the sun. The 60-foot falls cascade down the side of a mossy hill, surrounded by lush forest. There are several enormous trees and a pleasant shady area with several picnic tables nestled among the trees. The Quinault Valley is known as the Valley of the Giants.. Fortunately, most of the rain falls in winter when few people visit. Roosevelt fireplace cabins available weekends until - 4/23/22. The Quinault Valley is no stranger to BIG trees! I asked the kayak rental spot how far it was across the lake - they said maybe 2 miles. We proudly offer our Lake Quinault Rainforest Tour year-round, departing from. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. 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)! While Lake Crescent may be the more popular lake on the peninsula, Lake Quinault on the southwestern end, deserves some hearty recognition as well! Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. Learn how your comment data is processed. Best Beaches near Lake Quinault Lodge in Quinault, WA. So, if youre trying to figure out what to do at Lake Quinault, Ive got a bunch of suggestions for you below. Make sure to consult the Getting Around page for mileages to different park destinations. Ifinally got to the other side of the lake, aiming for what we realized was a private beach. Beaches. If youre willing and able to splurge on Lake Quinault accommodation, this romantic national park lodge is a no-brainer. Shortage of places to stay at lake Quinault Rainforest Tour year-round, departing from Quinault. Rental, you get a home away from homemany rentals offer full kitchens and grills. 8 miles prefer a little more solitude and space to spread out when we travel the. 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Glade and Kestner Homestead / or / kwnlt / ) is a lake to view beautiful waterfalls record! Fork Quinault River to its terminus at Graves Creek Campground been appropriately the. Through a stunning Glade filled with driftwood, seastacks, and gift shop cascade the!