97% of travelers recommend this experience. Lake Quinault Loop Drive was our first destination at the Olympic National Park. 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). Outside temperatures can get pretty warm in the later summer months, so the lake is a welcomed reprieve from the heat. Rain soaked mosses adorn big leaf maples and towering Sitka spruce while waterfalls cascade into crystal clear pools. Additionally, there are countless smaller, unnamed falls and cascades all over the Quinault Valley, too. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. The boat tour has a great reputation. The spontaneity of swimming in unknown water (within safe limits) keeps me motivated to swim and manage ambiguity. An easy 5-minute walk from the Rain Forest Resort Village brings you right to the base of Washington States 3rd largest tree (and the largest sitka spruce in the world)! 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. This is a unique place and, if you give it a chance, itll show it to you. Is the Quinault Rain Forest Really a Rain Forest? The only minus was the lack of lookouts. I recommend visiting the Salmon House at the Rain Forest Resort Village, which offers fantastic sunset views over Lake Quinault from its dining room. The lake was beautifyul and perfect for water activities like swimming and canoeing. Your journey begins where South Shore Road breaks off from Highway 101. Merriman Falls is not to be missed. I thought maybe she'd tell us we weren't allowed to land at Lochaerie either, but instead she congratulated me for swimming across the lake. This will be a trip you will never forget. Built in 1926, the Lake Quinault Lodge is a charming and rustic 92-room accommodation. Best Beaches near Lake Quinault Lodge in Quinault, WA. I'd attempted to swim Lake Quinault once before, but giant logs and no safety kayak prevented my crossing. Check the. Delicious! Moss drapes from winding branches and clings to tree trunks, while enormous ferns cluster the undergrowth. 91% of travelers recommend this experience. Lake Quinault is a natural lake that lies at the end of the Quinault Valley. With a vacation rental, you get a home away from homemany rentals offer full kitchens and outdoor grills for some home cooking. This trail links up to several other trails, so you can make this trek as long or a short as you want. We wouldve driven right past Merriman Falls ourselves, if we didnt have the windows rolled down to hear the sound of rushing water. There are several Lake Quinault campgrounds to choose from. 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. 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. 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). 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. Fletcher Canyon is a magical place, with multi-hued moss, enormous ferns and enormous tees. On dry and sunny days, the loop drive is definitely suitable for 2WD vehicles. And when you see our pictures of the tidepools, youll understand why! document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. There arent too many places in the continental US where you can hike through a rain forest. 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. This is a great spot to enjoy panoramic views of Lake Quinault. Even though we didn't make it into the Olympic National Park or to the Hoh Rainforest, I felt being here was good enough and we still got a good feel for the rainforest and gorgeous hikes. Its listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Miles of trails, swimming, and fishing are also easily accessible from the campgrounds and resorts around the lake and in the forest. The view is magnificent. I knew I was safer with the buoy and my Dad around. 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. Go prepared to walk and be sure and visit the ocean. It has coverage for all youll need. It is estimated to be about 1,000 years old! South Beach Campground. Willaby Campground offers 21 sites (16 max for RVs), potable water, and flush toilets. Quinault, WA 98575. . (We suggest you set your odometer to 0 immediately upon turning onto South Shore Road, so you can follow the instructions/mile markers that follow.) This path is also a half-mile loop, starting near the Quinault River Ranger Station. The stops here are described clockwise. Keep an eye out for wildlife, especially around dawn and dusk when animals are more active and may wander on to the road. My visit was in September to avoid crowds. 95% of travelers recommend this experience. Can You Swim In Washington Beaches? Graves Creek Road is a 6-mile extension of the Quinault Rain Forest Loop Drive. It features a large sitting area, restaurant, grassy lawn with wonderful lake views, boat rentals and lake access. Lake Quinault is an exceptional choice for ease of waterfall viewing. The rooms had no TV, phone or fridge, and we were paying $320 dollars for one night. 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. Ill tell you why below. Cruise though lush forests and past gushing waterfalls on this 30-mile loop. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Listen closely to hear the song of birds or the rustling of leaves from chipmunks and other forest creatures. Day Trips From Dublin Self Drive and Bus Tours. (The lake is open seasonally during the summer and closed during the winter.) Better yet, do like us and rent a lakehouse that comes equipped with kayaks and stay out as long as you wish! Sport fishing on Lake Quinault will be allowed April 26 through Nov. 2, and all non-tribal people must obtain a fishing permit. I swam a little to the left and the owner of the private cabin came over to us. Just over a mile on the right, youll see the parking area for the Quinault Rain Forest Nature Trail. We prefer a little more solitude and space to spread out when we travel. Allow at least two hours for the drive; longer if you do the hikes. Enjoy the cold but exquisite waters. The 60-foot falls cascade down the side of a mossy hill, surrounded by lush forest. I didn't plan to swim across Lake Quinault. The trail loops through a stunning glade filled with twisted Big Leaf Maple trees. Recreation: If nobody is behind you, stop your car, and take a moment to take it all in! We did a number of trails around Lake Quinault lodge (4 in fact). 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. Look upriver for views of the snowcapped Olympic Mountains. The Lake Quinault Lodge has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1998. Looking out at the Quinault River, flanked by pristine forests and glimpses of the towering Olympic Mountains, you cant help but feel in awe. Hike the Spruce Railroad Trail 20 minutes to the little, arching bridge over the Punchbowl. It was perfect with the kids. Beaches. One trail is the Falls Creek Loop from near Quinault Lodge to Cascade Falls. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Where can you swim in Lake Quinault? Lake Quinault. A regular sedan car is generally OK, though. 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. (This post may contain affiliate links. Is the Lake Quinault Loop Drive Suitable for 2-Wheel-Drive Cars? Take a free self-guided tour through remnants of their original homestead and try to imagine what life was like for this large family at the start of the 20th century. How Long Is the Quinault Rain Forest Scenic Loop Drive? Use tab to navigate through the menu items. From the rain forest trail, take the short, but semi-steep path from the main loop. Heres a look at our first visit to the Olympic Peninsula. 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. We stopped off at the lodge in the picturesque village for coffee. Lake Quinault ( or ) is a lake on the Olympic Peninsula in western Washington state. Other activities include sightseeing, hiking, backpacking, photography, fishing, bicycling and kite flying. The National Parks Experience is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. The area was beautiful and had a perfect little piece of public beach for easy swimming access. Lake Quinault ( / kwnlt / or / kwnlt /) is a lake on the Olympic Peninsula in western Washington state. 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. 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. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. The weather is changing this time of year, so it was overcast and cool, but not cold. A half-mile further down on the right is where youll find the Quinault Rain Forest Ranger Station. I'd plan to swim across with my Dad kayaking, and then hop in the kayak on the way back. However after a stop by the Quinault ranger station, we quickly realized that we would have no trouble filling several days. The tree is one of the Quinault Valleys six (five) champion trees. Make sure to consult the Getting Around page for mileages to different park destinations. 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. The late summer sunset vistas were unrivaled from the homes massive wrap around deck. call the Inn and ask them about that. Lakes. Lake Quinault Lodge is open year-round. The falls are close to the road and can be seen from your vehicle, but its worth parking carefully on the side of the road and getting closer to the falls. For an even shorter and easier trail that is a nice introduction to the temperate rain forest, take the Rain Forest Nature Loop Trail. Mornings are typically pretty calm on the lake, so. You can see a couple of them on the Quinault loop trails near the lodge, most notably Cascade Falls and Gatton Creek Falls. The Quinault Rain Forest is one of the worlds wettest places, receiving 12 feet (3.7 meters) of precipitation on average each year. Limited capacity. Anton, a well-known European woodworker, made his familys home and barn using western red cedar and Douglas fir. 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 Many of them provide great views of Quinault Lake. 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! Continue along a dirt road and then loop back along a path to the starting point. everything is easy and welcoming. Spontaneous trip across Olympic Peninsula lake, found a kayak rental spot and had my suit in the car! Fabulous scenic drive around Lake Quinault. Bring a camera, hiking shoes, and rain gear. Lake Quinault Lodge, managed by Aramark, operates under special permit by U.S. Forest Service in Olympic National Forest. Swimming in Lake Quinault is absolutely allowed if you're willing to brave the cooler northwestern temperatures. The furniture he made from big leaf maple trees. In fact, it has been appropriately named the Valley of Rainforest Giants, as it contains 6 champion conifer trees. Boat Tours, Eco Tours, Hiking & Camping Tours. Merriman Falls at Lake Quinault Thanks to a hefty dose of annual rainfall, this enchanting region of the Olympic Peninsula is home to six record-setting giantsthe largest western red cedar, Sitka spruce, Douglas fir, yellow cedar, mountain hemlock and western hemlock trees. We proudly offer our Lake Quinault Rainforest Tour year-round, departing from Lake Quinault Lodge - the only guest accommodations directly inside the rainforest. Educate yourself on the local floral and fauna to have a deeper understanding of the unique ecosystem that surrounds you. Note: When hiking in areas where wildlife is present, its essential that you know what to do in case of an encounter. It is estimated the run was typically around 20,000 fish. Keep a careful eye out, as they are easy to miss. A 30-mile loop drive takes you on a scenic trip around the lake. A great insurance option isTravelex. This region of the peninsula also contains the truly magical Quinault Rain Forest and is a must visit attraction on the Olympic Peninsula. Can you swim at Lake Quinault? This might be one of the more obvious things to do in the Quinault Rain Forest, but its definitely worth mentioning. You can read more about ourTerms of Use / Disclosure here. Youll drive over a small bridge over Bunch Creek. 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. There are multiple obstacles such as rocks and fallen trees to navigate. (Read: Parking may be limited at the trailhead.) There is a short 1.3 mile loop to the old Kestner homestead, and another that winds through groves of bigleaf maples. Olympic National Park and Forest Lake Quinault Tours. Beautiful lake with many short and long trails leading off into the rainforest bush. 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. This trip was the first of many lake swims throughout Washington. This things to do at Lake Quinault post contains affiliate links. 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. Kalaloch is a little further, about 35 miles away. Stops include highlights of the loop drive such as the worlds largest spruce tree, Maple Glade and Kestner Homestead. As mentioned, this was not our first visit to the Olympic Peninsula in Washington. Could be Alaska Lake Quinault: Best time in the spring with toddler and baby. Experience the enormous ferns and magical moss of the temperate rain forest as part of the trail goes through Willaby Creek Canyon. While some of them arent accessible, there are a couple that are super-easy to see. Be smart out there and have fun! (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. >> 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. Plus, the largest Yellow Cedar and Western Hemlock trees in the United States. Weve also written about Lake Crescent, Rialto Beach, Second Beach, Sol Duc Falls, Hoh Rain Forest, and Hurricane Ridge. Giant moss covered trees greet you at every turn. You can combine them as you see fit. 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