Beautiful big lake right around Olympic National Forest. The water is wonderful. Not cold, but cool. There were a few people that got in with their kids and some floaties. There are picnic tables and restrooms. The perfect spot to stop at while in the area. read more

Lake Quinault - Lakes Near Me - Quinault, Washington

I had such a wonderful stay here in Quinault. While I was here, I took a number of walks around this lake. Lake Quinault is located at the southern edge of Olympic National within Quinault Valley. The lake has a surface area of approximately 3,550 acres (5.83 square miles) and receives 131 inches of precipitation per year. If you want to explore this area in depth, you can take the 30-mile scenic loop drive around the lake. There is both hiking and fishing at the lake with a permit. You can also camp at some nearby places. I was able to get a hotel at Rain Forest Resort Village. It is within walking distance of Lake Quinault and offers a balcony view of the lake from your room. I enjoyed watching both the sunset and sunrise while I was here. The calm waters with the reflection of the low clouds made it such a picturesque lake. I highly recommend checking out the Quinault Rain Forest and many of the nature trails around here. Near the lake is a short trail to the World's Largest Sitka Spruce. Lake Quinault is owned by the Quinault Indian Nation. read more

See all

Lake Quinault is an amazing recreational lake in the southwest of the Olympic Peninsula. Surrounded by rainforest and nestled among mountains it is a picturesque location for summer fun. There are hiking trails and beautiful forest surrounding the lake. It's a great spot for kayaking, paddle boarding, swimming, and fishing. Lots of wildlife to be seen both while hiking or just spending time by the lake. We enjoyed relaxing by the lake on the rocky beaches, kayaking the beautiful blue water, and swimming near the campgrounds. There are places to tent camp such as Willaby, where we stayed, which was a beautiful campground with lake views. There is also Quinault Lodge for a more luxurious getaway if tent camping isn't your thing. With so many things to do and such a relaxing serene environment, it's certainly worth the drive to escape from the stress and bustle of life. read more

Lake Quinault - Campground forest views - Lakes Near Me - Quinault, Washington

See all

This glacier formed lake, on the edge of the Olympic National Forest, has captured my heart. I spent a perfect couple of hours here with my dog in January, on a rare sunny day. It was cold, but that's fine with us. Layer that merino wool and hit the trail! I've never seen streams and rivers this clear. The water was utterly transparent, and I could see details of the bottom no matter how deep. Watching it fall over ledges, rumble through rocks, and tumble down toward the lake was mesmerizing. I could have stayed all day on any of the bridges, lost in the beauty. And there are benches convenient for exactly that purpose, but the trail has so much to offer I pulled myself away. The rain forest is amazing. Heavy moss, odd fungi on the sides of trees like little shelves, ferns, lush green views in every direction. The trail is soft with pine needles. The 3.8 mile Qinault Loop Trail is gentle with very little gain. A couple of spots where parents should keep littles from the drop off, but for most of it they can run back and forth with no worries. My old dog didn't have any problems and her hips give her trouble. I'd say this a trail most ambulatory creatures can manage. It is sadly not all accessible, but there are spots down near the lodge and campgrounds where mobility issues wouldn't keep someone from soaking in the experience. The camping tent spots along the lake at Willaby campground are great! Each is arranged so that there is nothing between you and the lake. I already made a reservation for 2 nights this May. I can't wait to explore more. read more

See all

Quinault Lake is the large lake in the Quinault Rainforest. We were there during the late fall when the rest of the state had already dried up. Around Quinault, the grass was still green and the lake full. It was a very peaceful setting for a lake with few homes along the shore. It would be a great place for a lake house if you didn't mind living far from the nearest grocery store and living in a rainforest. If you were a seasonal resident, I'm not sure what you would have to do to lock up your home for six months of rain. I imagine that if you were not fully organized, you would return to a home that was full of mold. It's a beautiful lake and I definitely love to return an put a canoe or paddleboard in the lake. read more

Lake Quinault - Lakes Near Me - Quinault, Washington

The boat tour made our trip go from nice to great! Our guide Charlie was the perfect guide/Captian. He was very knowledgeable and equally personable. I highly recommend the excursion. His boat trip made our stay much more memorable! read more