Lake Quinault and Rain Forest
Just beyond the shores of brilliant Lake Quinault are the temperate Quinault and Hoh rain forests, known for their record sized trees and slugs. These lush forests are like no other in the world. Feel like you've stepped into a storybook and experience the magic of a deep forest lake and the giant old-growth trees in the surrounding Quinault Rain Forest.
Lake Quinault is a clear lake located on the southwestern side of Olympic National Park. The lake is eight-and-one-half miles long and plunges more than 1000 feet at its deepest point. The valleys that cradle Lake Quinault, the Quinault Rain Forest and the Hoh Rain Forest are truly the "Valleys of the Rain Forest Giants." With annual rainfall averages up to 400 inches, trees grow to record sizes providing some of the country’s largest trees in the Quinault Rain Forest. These giants include the Western Red Cedar, Sitka Spruce, Coastal Douglas Fir, Alaskan Cedar, Western Hemlock and Mountain Hemlock.
Camp, hike, and rest at a historic lodge amid old-growth forest by the glacier-carved lake. Enjoy spring shoreline bird watching with vireos, warblers, Western Tanagers, Ospreys, loons, eagles and swans. For more birding information, see the Olympic Loop of the Great Washington State Birding Trail
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Area Birding
HABITAT: USFS old-growth forest, glacier-carved lake.
BIRDING: Birds of ancient forest stay year-round: Chestnut-backed Chickadees, Winter Wrens, Varied Thrushes, Dark-eyed Juncos. Watch spring shoreline for Black-capped Chickadees, Hutton’s and Warbling Vireos, Gray and Steller’s Jays, Western Tanagers, Black-headed Grosbeaks, and warblers – Wilson’s, Orange-crowned, Black-throated Gray. Summer brings Ospreys, Common Loons, Common and Hooded Mergansers, occasional Marbled Murrelets. In winter, see Bald Eagles along shores, Trumpeter Swans at lake’s east end.
VIEWING: Take 0.5-mile Quinault Rain Forest Nature Trail (#855) for American Dippers. Bonus: Quinault tribal art, legends along 1-mile long Lakeshore Trail (#854).
ACCESS: From Hwy 101 at milepost 125.5, turn east onto South Shore Rd. Drive 1.3 miles. Turn right (south) into nature trail parking lot. Continue on 0.6 mile to Lake Quinault Lodge for Lakeshore Trail to campground.
