Lake Quinault is located on the Olympic Peninsula and is surrounded by temperate rainforest in both Olympic National Park and Olympic National Forest. There is a gorgeous scenic drive around the lake that offers the opportunity to view the temperate rain forest, waterfalls, and epic views of the lake.
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🏨Hotels and Vacation Rentals
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Lake Quinault - Olympic National Park
One thing to know about the Lake Quinault area is you will be visiting both Olympic National Park and also Olympic National Forest. The Quinault Indian Reservation also borders a portion of the lake.
The other thing to know if this area gets a LOT of rain. You will want to be prepared for the rain and mud.
🏨Ready to Book the Lake Quinault Lodge -> Click Here
Lake Quinault Lodge
Lake Quinault Lodge sits on the south shore of Lake Quinault. This gorgeous lodge was built in 1926. One of the fun features of the lodge is the eagle rain gauge that measures the rain in feet versus inches.
President Roosevelt enjoyed a meal in the lodge dining room which is now known as the Roosevelt Dining Room. Lakeside Rooms offer views of the lake and are quite comfortable.
Lake Quinault Camping
There are both National Park Service and US Forest Service Campgrounds surrounding Lake Quinault. When planning a camping trip you will want to confirm which campgrounds you plan to camp in and who manages them.
National Park Service Campgrounds include Graves Creek Campground and North Fork Campground.
US Forest Service Campgrounds include Willaby Campground, Falls Creek Campground, Gatton Creek Campground, and Cambell Tree Grove Campground.
North Fork Campground
The North Fork Campground is the smallest campground in Olympic National Park. What it lacks in size it makes up for in views. You are literally surrounded by trees!
9 sites, pit toilet nearby, picnic tables, fire rings, no water.
Graves Creek Campground
If you are looking for a primitive campground away from the crowds than Graves Creek Campground in Olympic National Park is the perfect camping spot!
30 sites, picnic tables, fire rings, restrooms (summer only), no potable water; the rest of the year it has an accessible vault toilet.
Quinault Rain Forest Ranger Station
Accessible restrooms, picnic tables, self-guided nature trails. Open part-time in summer as staffing allows, with information, exhibits, book, and map sales.
Olympic National Forest and Park Information Station
Open daily in summer, weekdays only the rest of the year. Information, wilderness permits, and bear canisters.
Lake Quinault Hiking Trails
Maple Glade
Flat 0.5-mile loop through a mossy bigleaf maple grove. Begins across the bridge from the Quinault Rain Forest Ranger Station.
Kestner Homestead
Learn about homestead life on this flat, self-guided 1.3-mile loop from the Quinault Rain Forest Ranger Station.
Cascading Terraces
A flat 0.5-mile trail through forest at Graves Creek. NOTE: 2016 flooding swept away the riverside part of this former loop.
Irely Lake
The trail climbs about 100 feet in 1.1 miles to shallow Irely Lake. It begins .25 miles before the North Fork Campground.
Trails from the North Fork and Graves Creeks trailheads offer longer hikes. There are also short loop trails and longer more strenuous trails on the south side of Lake Quinault in Olympic National Forest.
Quinault Rain Forest Nature Trail
This .5 mile nature trail provides the opportunity to hike through lush plants, hanging mosses, and be surrounded by giant trees.
There is a large parking lot and restrooms available.
There are small interpretive signs along the trail showcasing some of the features within the temperate rainforest.
Lake Quinault Scenic Drive
The Lake Quinault Scenic Drive is a 31-mile drive around Lake Quinault and the Quinault River. It takes about 1.5 hours to complete but I would suggest planning more time so you can really take your time.
Along the scenic drive, you can stop and take a .3 mile walk to enjoy the world's largest Sitka spruce tree.
The scenic drive parallels the Quinault River for several miles providing great views of the wide river bed. Keep an eye out for Roosevelt Elk and other wildlife in the open fields.
Lake Quinault Map
Roads in the Quinault Valley are often damaged by winter storms. Call 360-565-3131 for current conditions.
Distance to other Olympic National Park Destinations
One thing to know about traveling within Olympic National Park is many destinations are a fair distance away from each other. This is not a park you are going to see everything in one or two days.
It can take a lot longer than you expect to reach many destinations within the park. Plan extra time for driving!
Lake Quinault Rain Forest Ranger Station to -
Lake Crescent -Storm King Ranger Station - 143 miles, 3 hours 15 minutes
Sol Duc - 105 miles, 2 hours 15 minutes
Hoh Rainforest - 104 miles, 2 hours 45 minutes
Mora - 33 miles, 45 minutes
Hurricane Ridge - 123 miles, 2 hours and 45 minutes
Lake Ozette - 80 miles, 2 hours
Staircase Ranger Station - 126 miles, 2 hours 45 minutes
Additional Olympic National Park Information & Resources
Where to stay when visiting Olympic National Park
Olympic National Park Lodging
There are multiple National Park Lodges within the park. Deciding on which lodge to stay in will largely depend on what part of the park you plan to explore because it certainly is one of those National Parks that you'll visit multiple times and still have something new to see (like we do!)
🏨Ready to Book the Kalaloch Lodge -> Click Here
- Season: Year-round
- Location: Along Highway 101 on the Pacific Ocean
The Kalaloch Lodge is a perfect place to stay while exploring the Olympic Peninsula and was indeed one of our favorite National Park Lodges we've ever stayed at. With well-equipped rooms and unbeatable views of Kalaloch Beach, you're sure to fall in love with this lodge.
🏨Ready to Book Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort -> Click Here
- Season: Mid-April to the end of October
- Location: Right by the Sol Duc Hot Springs
The Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort is a rustic, serene property located by the hot springs. With a reservation at this resort, you'll also get access to swim in the hot springs, which was undoubtedly the highlight of our stay there. The property's prime location in the forested region also gives you easy access to the nearby trails, the Sol Duc Falls, River, and Valley.
🏨Ready to Book the Lake Crescent Lodge -> Click Here
- Season: May to January
- Location: Beside Lake Crescent, approximately 30 minutes from Port Angeles, Washington
The Lake Crescent Lodge boasts phenomenal views of Lake Crescent and offers a variety of accommodating options like cottages, lodge rooms, single tavern cottages, and more for you to choose from. If you end up deciding on a cottage (like we did), you'll get a chance to catch the gorgeous sunsets over the lake from your front porch. You can also rent kayaks from the property to go kayaking on the lake.
Lodging near Olympic NP
Olympic NP borders multiple gateway communities including Port Angeles, Sequim, Port Townsend, La Push, Olympia, Forks, and Shelton.
🏨Ready to Book the Lake Quinault Lodge -> Click Here
At Lake Quinault Lodge, you can look forward to golfing on site, a terrace, and shopping on site. For some rest and relaxation, visit the sauna. The onsite family restaurant, Roosevelt Room, features American cuisine. In addition to a firepit and mini golf, guests can connect to free in-room Wi-Fi.
Perch Small - Treehouse - Eagles Perch Over The Water
🏨Ready to Book Perch Small- Treehouse - Eagles Perch Over The Water -> Click Here
Stunning Tree house looking over the Strait of Juan De Fuca is a total North-West Washington experience. It is made of cedar with rustic touches. Once you are inside you will never want to leave as the floor to ceiling window looks onto the straight and with constant moving landscape of cruise ships, wildlife, and bald eagles soaring across your window.
Red Lion Hotel Port Angeles Harbor
🏨Ready to Book the Red Lion Hotel Port Angeles Harbor -> Click Here
Take advantage of dry cleaning/laundry services, a fireplace in the lobby, and a bar at Red Lion Hotel Port Angeles Harbor. This hotel is a great place to bask in the sun with a beachfront location. Be sure to enjoy a meal at 48° North, the onsite restaurant. Free in-room Wi-Fi is available to all guests, along with a gym and a business center.
Click on the map below to see additional hotel and vacation rental rates in the area.
Olympic National Park Guided Tours
Hoh Rain Forest and Rialto Beach Guided Tour in Olympic National Park
⭐️ Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 9 hours | 🚌Check Rates and Availability
The ancient forests, mountains, and rugged beaches of the Olympic National Park provide some spectacular hiking opportunities. On this tour, visit two of the most stunning natural spots - Hoh Rainforest and Rialto Beach - and enjoy short hikes at both destinations. With round-trip transportation, National Park fees included, and an optional packed lunch, everything is taken care of, so you can focus on admiring the views.
Best of Olympic National Park from Seattle: All-Inclusive Small-Group Day Tour
⭐️ Rating: 4.9 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 12 hours | 🚌Check Rates and Availability
Have a special chance to explore Olympic National Park with a naturalist guide - and make your sightseeing logistics smooth and hassle-free on this small group tour from Seattle. With round-trip transit from your downtown hotel, getting to the UNESCO-listed park is made simple. From beaches to mountains to forests and beyond, experience the best of this spectacular landscape, seeing and doing more with your guide than you could alone.
Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour in Olympic National Park
⭐️ Rating: 4.4 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 8 hours to 1 day | 🔊Check Rates and Availability
Download this audio tour and you'll discover more on your Olympic National Park road trip. Hear fascinating behind-the-scenes stories, local tips, and directions play automatically, all based on your location.
You'll be guided to all of the park's famous highlights as well as the lesser-known gems, including the most easily accessed mountain area in the park with superb views and hiking trails, a unique temperate rainforest where you can walk amongst the giant trees, and incredible beaches rich with tidepools.
Olympic National Park Entrance Fee
Park entrance fees are separate from camping and lodging fees.
Park Entrance Pass - $30.00 Per private vehicle (valid for 1-7 days from the date of purchase)
Park Entrance Pass - Motorcycle - $25.00 Per motorcycle (valid for 1-7 days from the date of purchase)
Per-Person Entrance Pass - $15.00 Visitors 16 years or older who enter on foot, bicycle, or as part of an organized group not involved in a commercial tour.
Annual Park Entrance Pass - $55.00, Admits pass holder and all passengers in a non-commercial vehicle. Valid for one year from the month of purchase.
$75.00 for Commercial Van with 7-15 seats
$100.00 for Commercial Mini-Bus with 16-25 seats
$200.00 for Commercial Motor Coach with 26+ seats
Learn more about National Park Passes for parks that have an entrance fee.
$80.00 - For the America the Beautiful/National Park Pass. The pass covers entrance fees to all US National Park Sites and over 2,000 Federal Recreation Fee Sites for an entire year and covers everyone in the car for per-vehicle sites and up to 4 adults for per-person sites.
Buy your pass at this link, and REI will donate 10% of pass proceeds to the National Forest Foundation, National Park Foundation, and the U.S. Endowment for Forestry & Communities.
National Park Free Entrance Days -Mark your calendars with the five free entrance days the National Park Service offers annually.
Additional Olympic National Park Resources
Check out all of the Olympic National Park Camping options. There are 14 campgrounds within the park
Olympic National Park Lodging - Check out our complete guide of all the places to stay within the park
Things to do in Olympic NP - Find out all of the top things to do in this great park.
Free National Park Days - Check out the 5 days a year the National Park Service waives entrance fees.
Most visited National Parks - Check out all of the top-visited parks in the United States
Moon Olympic Peninsula Guide Book
Olympic National Park trails map
Check out all of the National Parks in Washington along with neighboring National Parks in Idaho, National Parks in Oregon, Hawaii National Parks, and Alaska National Parks
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