Destinations

Lake Quinault & Amanda Park

Quinault Valley is "the other" rain forest of the Peninsula. Located 35 miles south of Kalaloch and 38 miles north of Aberdeen, the Quinault Rain Forest may be experienced by taking the 25-mile drive around Lake Quinault. This loop road provides views of the lake itself, Olympic Mountains, rain-forested lands, farms, spring rhododendrons, late spring azaleas and, frequently, herds of Roosevelt Elk.

The Quinault rain forest trails are easily reached by turning east off Highway 101 at Amanda Park and following the South Shore Drive 5 miles. Two trails, one 4 miles and one a mere half-mile, provide close-up views of over 70 species of evergreen plants. There is a Ranger Station at the lake. Some world-record trees are near the Lake Quinault area.

Amanda Park is the small commercial area on Highway 101 at Lake Quinaulat. To stay in town, stop at the Amanda Park Motel and RV Park.

Fishing is just fine in the lake and adjoining streams with Steelhead, Cutthroat, Rainbow, Salmon, and Dolly Varden Trout in abundance.

There are fine resorts on the shores of beautiful Lake Quinault, such as Rain Forest Resort Village on the South Shore Road.