Lake Quinault and the surrounding temperate rain forest is one of the most beautiful spots on the Olympic Peninsula.
The area surrounding the lake is part National Forest, part National Park, and part privately owned.
Throughout the area are many wonderful hiking trails. From easy walks through the Valley of Giants and magical mossy glades to more adventurous treks into side canyons, there are trails for everyone.
Here are my top picks for the best hikes in the Lake Quinault Rain Forest area.
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Best Lake Quinault Rainforest Hikes
Guided Lake Quinault Rainforest Hikes
If your time is limited and you want to visit the Lake Quinault area as a day trip from Seattle, then there is a good option for you. This private Quinault Rainforest tour gives you the opportunity to do three of these five hikes, including the world’s largest spruce tree, Maple Glade and Kestner Homestead.
BOOK A FULL-DAY PRIVATE TOUR FROM SEATTLE TO LAKE QUINAULT & THE QUINAULT RAINFOREST
Best Lake Quinault Hikes
Here are the five best hikes in the region – including some of the best easy hikes in Olympic National Park, a difficult hike for those looking for something more challenging, and a network of fun trails in Olympic National Forest.
1. Maple Glade Loop
Length: 0.5 miles loop
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation Gain: 16 feet
Trailhead: Maple Glade Rain Forest Trailhead
This is one of the best rainforest hikes in Olympic National Park and a personal favorite.
This easy 0.5 loop passes through a magnificent glade of Big Leaf Maple Trees. These trees twist and turn into fantastical shapes. They are coated and draped in golden moss that glows when the sunlight shines on it through the trees.
Under foot are enormous ferns and, on the way, you’ll pass ponds that are lacking in water later in the dry season (late summer/ fall) but still filled with lush green grasses.
The trail starts across from the Quinault Ranger Station and is clearly marked. It crosses a creek and immediately heads into the glade. You can take the loop in either direction. At the far end of the loop, you can either continue around the loop or take the trail that continues on the Kestner Homestead.
Look down to find banana slugs and through the trees, where you may see Roosevelt Elk.
My Tips:
- There are often ranger-led hikes into Maple Glade. Check the NPS website for the dates of your visit.
- The light is best early morning, when the sunlight makes the moss glow.
Highlights
- Temperate Rain Forest with maple trees and moss
2. Kestner Homestead
Length: 1.3-mile loop
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation Gain: 30 feet
Trailhead: Maple Glade Rain Forest Trailhead
This one of my top three favorite Olympic National Park rainforest hikes (my other two are the Maple Glade Loop and the Hoh River Trail).
The trail starts at the Maple Glade Loop. You can do half the loop and then continue along the Kestner Homestead Loop or do the full Maple Glade Loop and then double back on part of the trail before it heads off on the bigger loop to the Kestner Homestead.
The trail continues through the temperate rain forest before emerging into a clearing where the historic farm is located.
There is a wooden farmhouse and several sheds with wood shingled roofs. There are also pieces of abandoned, rusty farm equipment and old cars scattered around the property, plus a bathtub sitting in a nearby field. There are some small pastures and a tiny orchard.
It’s a very picturesque place to wander around and appreciate the life that these early homesteaders lived.
The Kestner Homestead Site, built in 1897 and rebuilt in 1900-1905, is the oldest surviving settler-built homestead in the Quinault River Valley. It’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was a hard life and the heavy rain that this area gets in winter proved to be too much in the end and it was eventually abandoned.
The loop trail continues down the main farm road and across a modern bridge before veering off to the right alongside Kestner Creek through mostly unexciting second growth forest. It soon emerges back at the ranger station.
My Tips:
- The loop can be hiked in either direction. I prefer clockwise because then you visit Maple Glade first and get a real sense of the forest as it was before it was farmed, which helps you appreciate even more the task early pioneers faced when turning the forest into farmland.
Highlights
- Temperate rain forest
- Historic homestead/ farm
3. World’s Tallest Spruce Tree
Length: 0.4 miles out-and-back
Difficulty: Very Easy
Elevation Gain: 6 feet
Trailhead: Just past the Rain Forest Resort Villages’ general store on South Shore Road.
This is the easiest Lake Quinault hike. Across the street from the parking lot is a small sign indicating “World’s Record Sitka Spruce”. Follow this trail into the forest.
A flat, fairly wide, and very easy to follow trail goes through a basic forest before emerging into a clearing. The biggest Sitka spruce tree in the world is across the clearing. There is a small sign nearby giving its impressive statistics.
The tree about 1,000 years old; 191 feet tall; and has a circumference of 58 feet and 11 inches! That’s a big tree! In fact, it is one of the five champion trees in Quinault Valley (the “Valley of the Giants”), and by far the most accessible.
Pose for some photos, admire the tree’s enormity, ponder what life events this tree has witnessed, then return back to your vehicle.
My Tips:
- Stop at the nearby Salmon House restaurant for lunch or dinner – they have some of the best salmon you’ll ever eat and lovely views of Lake Quinault from their back porch.
Highlights
- Largest spruce tree in the world
4. Quinault Rain Forest Nature Trail
Length: 0.5 miles (other trail lengths vary)
Difficulty: Easy – Moderate
Elevation Gain: Minimal
Quinault Rain Forest Trailhead: There are trailheads for the various trails along the South Shore Road. The trailhead for the short Quinault Rain Forest Trail is 1.4 miles along South Shore Road from Highway 101.
Quinault Rain Forest Trail Map
In the Olympic National Forest on the south shore of Lake Quinault, there’s a network of interconnected trails. Here you’ll find the short and sweet Quinault Rainforest Nature Trail plus several longer Lake Quinault Lodge hiking trails including my favorite Quinault Rain Forest trail in the area, the 1.6-mile hike to Cascade Falls.
They are all pretty (or very) easy and you can do one or connect several into hikes of varying lengths.
A great introduction to the temperate rain forest is the Rain Forest Nature Loop Trail, often described as “the Quinault Rain Forest in a nutshell”.
The short loop through part of Willaby Creek Canyon is the perfect way to experience the enormous ferns and magical moss of the temperate rain forest. There are interpretive signs at several points along the trail that give a really nice introduction to the rainforest and teach you more about some of the main features that you see.
The easy 0.5-mile loop is wheelchair accessible for part of the way.
My Tips:
- There is a large parking lot suitable for RVs with restrooms and picnic tables at the trailhead.
Highlights
- Temperate rain forest
- Interpretative signs
5. Fletcher Canyon Trail
Length: 4.6 miles out-and-back
Difficulty: Difficult
Elevation Gain: 1,300 feet
Trailhead: On South Shore Road, 9.4 miles from Highway 101, there is a narrow spur road on the right that leads to the trailhead. There is a small primitive dirt parking lot at the trailhead.
Fletcher Canyon is a magical place, with multi-hued moss, enormous ferns and even more enormous trees.
Although the trail is relatively short, it’s a difficult trail to hike. Not only is it almost entirely uphill on the way (and downhill on the way back), but there are also multiple obstacles such as rocks and fallen trees to navigate, and it can be difficult to follow at times.
However, if you enjoy the challenge, the rewards are worth it!
My Tips:
- There are no restrooms at the trailhead. The parking lot there is very small – so get there early on the busy summer months.
- The trail is uphill and then downhill. I recommend using trekking poles to help save your knees. I have these Foxelli trekking poles – they are really light weight, adjustable, and have several tips and cork handles. Get them here.
Highlights
- Temperate rain forest
- The challenge of a more difficult hike
Quinault Rain Forest Hiking Trails FAQs
Where is Quinault, Washington?
Lake Quinault is on the western side of the Olympic Peninsula, at the southwestern corner of Olympic National Park.
The northern shore of Lake Quinault is the national park and the southern shore is Olympic National Forest, with private properties sprinkled in amongst them both.
What other Lake Quinault activities are there to do?
There are plenty of activities to do in and around Lake Quinault. These include enjoying the scenic loop drive around the lake (read a full description of the Lake Quinault Loop Drive here). Other activities include fishing, kayaking and canoeing, SUP paddle boarding, and relaxing by the lake.
Quinault Rain Forest vs Hoh Rainforest: Which is better?
The Hoh Rain Forest is definitely more famous. It’s also closer to many of the other attractions in Olympic National Park including the La Push beaches, Sol Duc Valley and Lake Crescent. However, this also means that it’s more crowded.
The Quinault Rain Forest is just as beautiful without the hordes of people. However, both are beautiful, and if you have time to visit both, I recommend doing that.
Lake Quinault Hiking Trails Map
You can use this Lake Quinault trail map to get a sense of where the trails are, but for an actual hiking trails map, pick up a National Geographic topographic hiking trails map of Olympic National Park before you go.
What to Pack for Lake Quinault hiking trails
- Some parts of the longer Quinault Lake hiking trails are overgrown, so if you hike these trails and don’t like brushing against leaves, wear long pants. If you need some, get some hiking pants for men here or some hiking pants for women here. This isn’t necessary for the short hikes.
- There can be ticks and bugs, especially in spring and summer. Although I’m not aware of any reports of Lyme Disease, bug spray is a good idea. I’m a fan of DEET-free insect repellent, as it’s better for the environment and your skin. Get some here.
- There can be muddy sections in winter, spring and through early summer – even on the shorter trails. Good quality waterproof hiking boots will really make a difference! If you need to get some, take a look at my Guide to Buying the Best Hiking Shoes/ Boots to help you know what to look for and get some recommendations. My top pick is this pair of Salomon Gore-Tex boots.
- This is a rain forest, so it can rain a lot. I recommend taking a rain jacket and wearing layers that you can take off or put on depending on the weather, which can change throughout the day. If you need one, I like this Columbia rain jacket for men and this Little Donkey Andy rain jacket for women.
- Trekking poles are a big help for navigating around mud and puddles and up hills – especially for the longer trails. I have these Foxelli trekking poles – they are really light weight, adjustable, and have several tips and cork handles. Get them here.
- For any hike, you should take water. There is a refill station at the Visitor Center, so you just need a refillable water bottle. I love this hydroflask. It’s easy to carry, keeps temperatures well, and comes in multiple colors.
- You will definitely want to take a camera. I love the GoPro HERO 12. It’s designed for travel. It’s water resistant and durable and takes photos, video and even does streaming. Check current prices on the GoPro HERO 12 here
- Check my list of essential things to take and wear on a day hike to make sure you have everything you need.
Tips for Hiking Quinault Rain Forest
- All of these hikes can be accessed along the Lake Quinault Loop Drive. Read my guide to this scenic drive for more information.
- The trails can be muddy in spring. If you’re hiking then, or after it has rained, a good pair of hiking shoes or boots will come in handy. If you need to get some, take a look at my Guide to Buying the Best Hiking Shoes/ Boots to help you know what to look for and get some recommendations.
- Because most of the annual precipitation is in winter, the rain forest can be a little dry looking by early fall. There’s not much you can do about this other than to adjust your expectations or the timing of your trip. Though even in September, it’s stunning.
- There are often ranger talks or guided walks to Maple Glade from the Quinault Ranger Station. These are a great introduction to the temperate rain forest. Check for ranger programs for the dates of your visit.
- Keep an eye out for animals. Banana slugs are around, but may be hidden if it’s been dry. Roosevelt elk and deer are often seen in this area. It’s also bear country, so stay aware.
Travel Insurance for Olympic National Park
You should definitely get travel insurance before setting out on any of the Lake Quinault trails. Good travel insurance will cover you for trip cancellation, theft or damage if your property when traveling, medical help if you have an accident while hiking in Quinault Rain Forest or medical repatriation if you need to get medi-vaced out.
A great insurance option is Travelex. It has coverage for all you’ll need. You can compare Travel Insurance plans here or get a quote right now:
Happy hiking!
You might also like
>> Olympic National Park Guide
>> Lake Quinault Loop Drive
>> Best Hoh Rainforest Hikes
>> Best Sol Duc Hikes
>> Best Lake Crescent Hikes
>> Best Hurricane Ridge Hikes
>> Guide to Visiting Hurricane Ridge
>> The Best Olympic National Park Beaches
>> Best Waterfalls in Olympic National Park
Do you have any other top picks for the best hikes near Lake Quinault/ the best hikes in Quinault Rain Forest? I’d love to hear about them. 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).
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Best Lake Quinault Rainforest Hikes
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About the Author
James Ian is a national park, camping and hiking expert.
He has dedicated his life to travel, visiting more than 80 countries, all 7 continents and all of the main national parks in the United States. With over 35 years experience in the travel industry, James has worked on cruise ships, at resorts and hotels, and as a travel planner who’s helped hundreds of people plan successful trips to US national parks.
Based on his experience visiting our national parks multiple times, in-depth research and expertise as a travel planner, James has published detailed itineraries for most of the major national parks in the US. These itineraries, as well as in-depth park guides, comprehensive camping and hiking gear reviews and buying guides, and helpful packing lists and gift guides will help you have your own incredible trip to US national parks without stress and hassle.
As a national park expert, James has contributed to many publications, including Time Business News, Savoteur, Best Trip, and Wired.
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