Guides/Overland routes/Washington
Overland route31 midifficulty: easy

Lake Quinault Loop (North and South Shore Roads)

RegionWashingtonAgencyU.S. Forest Service, National Park ServiceLast verified—
Lake Quinault Loop (North and South Shore Roads) — overland route near Quinault, Washington, Washington
U.S. Forest Service - Pacific Northwest Region (public domain)
Trail vitals6 facts
Length
31mi
Technical difficulty
Easy
Direction
Loop
Vehicle
Standard high-clearance vehicle. About half the loop is paved and half is graded gravel. Trailers and RVs are not recommended on the unpaved sections.
Best months
May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
Cell coverage
Limited. Some service near the lodges on the south shore; none on the upper Quinault River stretch.
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The Lake Quinault Loop is a 31-mile drive that circles the lake and the lower Quinault River, crossing back and forth between Olympic National Forest and Olympic National Park. North Shore Road runs along the park boundary; South Shore Road tracks Olympic National Forest land past the historic Lake Quinault Lodge and the rainforest's Sitka spruce groves. A bridge over the Quinault River near the head of the lake closes the loop.

Roughly half the loop is paved and half is graded gravel, with the unpaved sections concentrated on the upper river crossing. Most drivers complete the loop in about two hours without stops, longer with the standard rainforest trail walks (Quinault National Recreation Trail, Maple Glade Trail). The route is unsuitable for trailers and RVs because of the gravel sections and one-lane bridges. Lake Quinault itself is owned and managed by the Quinault Indian Nation; non-tribal boating and fishing require their permits.

Hazards

Read before you go

  • One-lane bridges. Two on the upper river crossing. Yield to oncoming traffic.
  • Gravel sections. Soft after rain. Trailers and RVs are not recommended.
  • Limited cell coverage. Bring an offline map.
  • Heavy precipitation. Rain gear is essential; the road can have standing water in heavy events.
  • Black bear country. Store food properly at campgrounds.
  • Tribal jurisdiction. Lake Quinault is closed to non-tribal fishing; boating requires a Quinault Indian Nation permit.

Location

31 mi · Overland route

Approx. location 47.467, -123.842

Trail facts

5 fields
AgencyU.S. Forest Service, National Park Service
Nearest townQuinault, Washington
Websitewww.fs.usda.gov/r06/olympic/recreation/quinault-area
ClosedDec, Jan, Feb
Approx. location47.467, -123.842

Getting there

Directions

From Aberdeen / Hoquiam. Take US-101 north for about 40 miles. The South Shore Road exit is at milepost 122 (just past the Amanda Park townsite); the North Shore Road exit is at milepost 125, three miles further north.

Loop direction. Most drivers run the loop counterclockwise: south on South Shore Road past the Lake Quinault Lodge and the big spruce, across the upper Quinault River bridge, then back via North Shore Road. The full loop is 31 miles.

Photos

1 photo

Photos · 1

Field notes

Getting Oriented

The loop sits on the Olympic Peninsula, an hour's drive northwest of Aberdeen via US-101. Olympic National Park occupies the lake's north shore and the Quinault River drainage upstream; Olympic National Forest occupies most of the south shore and the western approaches. The Quinault Indian Nation owns Lake Quinault itself and the lower Quinault River. The loop's two access points off US-101 are North Shore Road (milepost 125) and South Shore Road (milepost 122).

Trail Overview

Thirty-one miles, loop. Pavement covers the lakeshore stretches on both sides; the unpaved middle crosses the upper Quinault River and runs through the most remote rainforest corner of the loop. The route is signed throughout and the Forest Service grades the gravel sections seasonally. There are no technical obstacles; in dry conditions a high-clearance two-wheel-drive handles it. Wet weather softens the gravel and trailers track poorly.

Points of Interest

  • Lake Quinault Lodge. 1926 timber lodge on the south shore, listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
  • Quinault National Recreation Trail. Short interpretive loop through old-growth Sitka spruce and Douglas-fir near the lodge.
  • World's largest Sitka spruce. A signed pull-out off South Shore Road, on Olympic National Forest land.
  • Maple Glade Trail. Short loop on the north shore through bigleaf maple and moss-draped rainforest.
  • Bunch Falls. Roadside waterfall on the north shore.
  • Graves Creek Campground. Olympic National Park campground at the upper end of South Shore Road, used as a base for upper Quinault River backpacking.
  • Willaby and Falls Creek Campgrounds. Olympic National Forest campgrounds on the south shore near the lodge.

Where to Camp

Willaby and Falls Creek Campgrounds (USFS) sit on the south shore near the lodge with reservable sites. Graves Creek Campground (NPS) on the upper Quinault provides a more primitive base for backpackers. North Fork Campground (NPS) sits at the very upper end of North Shore Road. Lake Quinault Lodge offers full-service lodging with rates that climb steeply in summer; the smaller Rain Forest Resort Village and Lake Quinault Inn fill the budget tier.

Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Trip

  • Drive the loop counterclockwise (south first, then north) for the most natural pull-out sequence past the lodge and the big spruce.
  • Trailers and RVs should stick to South Shore Road as a paved out-and-back to the lodge area; the gravel river crossing is too tight.
  • Bring rain gear regardless of forecast. Quinault gets 12 to 14 feet of annual precipitation, the wettest place in the contiguous US.
  • Boating Lake Quinault requires a Quinault Indian Nation permit. Fishing on the lake is closed to non-tribal members.
  • Cell coverage is poor; download offline maps before driving in.
  • Campground reservations fill summer weekends weeks ahead.

Frequently asked

Common questions

How difficult is Lake Quinault Loop (North and South Shore Roads)?
Lake Quinault Loop (North and South Shore Roads) is rated easy. The route runs 31 miles.
What kind of vehicle do you need for Lake Quinault Loop (North and South Shore Roads)?
Standard high-clearance vehicle. About half the loop is paved and half is graded gravel. Trailers and RVs are not recommended on the unpaved sections.
When is the best time to visit Lake Quinault Loop (North and South Shore Roads)?
The best months are May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct. Avoid Dec, Jan, Feb.
Is there cell service at Lake Quinault Loop (North and South Shore Roads)?
Limited. Some service near the lodges on the south shore; none on the upper Quinault River stretch.