Visiting Quinault

Stream reflections in the Quinault Rain Forest.

NPS Photo

Location:

The Quinault Valley is a wilderness gateway to alpine meadows, jeweled lakes and ice-carved peaks. 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.

Quinault is located in the southwestern area of the park, about a three-hour drive from Port Angeles and one hour from Forks (directions).

General information about the facilities, trails, camping, and regulations can be found on the Quinault Valley brochure.

 

Places to Stay:

There are two campgrounds in the Quinault Valley, the North Fork campground has 9 campsites and the Graves Creek campground has about 30.

There are also a variety of lodging opportunities in the nearby area.

Recreation:

A good place to start is from the Quinault Rain Forest Ranger Station. There is a short 1.3 mile loop to the old Kestner homestead, and another that winds through groves of bigleaf maples.

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.

Nearby Areas:

Queets is a short drive to the west. Kalaloch is a little further, about 35 miles away. Make sure to consult the Getting Around page for mileages to different park destinations.

 

The homestead and orchard here were established by the Kestners, one of the first homesteading families in the Quinault Valley.

NPS