THINGS TO DO

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We are centrally located in downtown Forks, near a variety of restaurants, coffee stands, cute little shops, ice cream parlor, and the Forks Timber Museum. To travelers from around the world, the Forks Timber Museum is a real eye-opener. The museum gracefully displays exhibits depicting local history dating back to the 1870s.The museum provides a fascinating look back into the local history of the timber industry. Inside you will find ancient cross-cut and chain saws used by men of the woods, a bunkhouse showing where they slept and how they lived, and books and videos of who these men were and what they did. Outside, there's a memorial garden to sit and rest in. There's even a fire lookout tower and nature trails.

Forks has visitors from around the world coming not only for the excellent fishing in nearby lakes, streams, and ocean, breathtaking views, waterfalls, and an abundance of wildlife that can be viewed throughout the area, but for something else that may be lurking in the night. Vampires and Werewolves! Forks is home to the popular "Twilight Saga" movie. Fans flock from all around the world to set foot on the same soil as Bella and her friends...to visit our Twilight Page

Ten to 20 million years ago, submerged sandstone and shale jammed into fifty-million year- old, hardened, under-water, lava-formed, miles-thick layers of basalt forcing the Olympics to rise from the sea*, producing the rugged terrain ideal for waterfalls. Ice-age glaciers helped carve the Strait of Juan de Fuca, Puget Sound, and the cliffs and valleys of the Peninsula. Today, more than 60 glaciers along with heavy rain and snow from Pacific Ocean weather systems join to create an abundance of waterfalls of various types. Simply put ... all water seeks the sea with the assistance of gravity.To view and download a brochure compliments of the local Forks Visitor Information Center.

Hi Hi Kwitht (in native Makah, hihik^iLt)
A low-volume waterfall on the east flank of Cape Flattery is accessible to viewers only by boat.

Hoko Falls
Hoko Falls is an 8-10 feet drop to a punchbowl. Hoko River

Beaver Falls
This small- to medium-volume, block-type falls cascades at peak flows about 20 feet across the full 70-feet width of Beaver Creek. Privately owned, public access. Beaver Creek, lower Sol Duc River

Sol Duc Falls
A stunning signature falls of Olympic National Park. In contrast to most falls on the Peninsula, it is viewed from above stream level. Upper Sol Duc River

Strawberry Bay Falls
A 1.3 mile walk on a mostly flat trail leads to views of a horsetail falls in the distance. Another 0.6 miles at low tide along a pleasant, sandy beach allows closer viewing. Unnamed stream

Falls Creek Falls
This 40-feet waterfall approximately nine miles south of Third Beach near La Push on Falls Creek is found by backpackers traveling the wilderness coast south of Toleak Point in Olympic National Park.

Mineral Creek Falls
This is a medium-volume, cascade-form falls that drops about 60 feet. Saw cuts through fallen old growth trees along the trail show off the size of these once-towering rain forest monarchs. Mineral Creek, upper Hoh River

Maple Creek Falls
This small but picturesque falls hidden along the south shore of the upper Hoh River in rain forest country is only approached from the water. Rafting services are available to get up close. Maple Creek, upper Hoh River

Marymere Falls
The waters of Falls Creek drop nearly 90 feet into a small plunge pool at the end of the 0.75-mile trail for year-round views. Seasonally, the National Park offers nature tours. Falls Creek, Lake Crescent

Willaby Creek Falls
The Rain Forest Nature Trail in the Olympic National Forest is an easy, fun-filled 0.5-mile loop with interpretive signs and a wide array of things to see. The trail can be walked in about 45-60 minutes.

Willaby Creek

Gatton Creek Falls
Gatton Creek Falls is a classic, tiered falls with a series of straight drops over about 60 feet. Gatton Creek

Merriman Falls
This 40-feet high waterfall is easily accessible within a few feet of the road and is very photogenic, especially October through May. Merriman Creek

Brunch Creek Falls
Bunch Creek Falls, one of the larger falls in this area, boasts a height of nearly 60 feet and travels through a series of rock drops producing a good spray during spring runoff or rainy season. Bunch Creek.

Mild winters, cool summers and up to 12 feet of annual precipitation produce the giant conifers that dominate this rain forest, one of the most spectacular examples of temperate rain forest in the world. Bigleaf maple and vine maple host an abundance of epiphytes (plants growing upon other plants) that give the rain forest its characteristic look and ethereal quality. A plethora of mosses, ferns and plants compete for space on the forest floor; grazing elk keep the understory open. Dead and downed trees decay slowly and support new life as ‘nurselogs.' The eternal cycle of life and death is strikingly apparent in this magnificent forest community. Click here for Visitor Center Brochure and Map of Trails.

Hiking at the Hoh–Gateway to Mount Olympus!
Mini-trail: 0.1 mile flat, paved, accessible-with-assistance loop in old growth rain forest.
Hall of Mosses: 0.8 mile easy loop through old growth temperate rain forest.
Spruce Nature Trail: 1.2 mile loop through temperate rain forest to Hoh River.
South SniderJackson: Starts just west of entrance station. 11.8 miles, ascending 2,700 feet before descending again to the Bogachiel River.
Hoh River: Dayhikers can walk the lower sections of the 17.3-mile route to Glacier Meadows, on the shoulder of Mount Olympus. For the whole route, elevation gain is 3,700 feet. An additional 700-foot climb in 0.9 miles leads to the Blue Glacier. Backpackers must obtain a wilderness camping permit. Climbing Mount Olympus requires glacier travel skills and equipment.

Olympic National Park protects one of the longest stretches of wilderness coast in the lower 48 states. Sea lions, seals, otters, whales, sea birds, and eagles are at home in this landscape of towering headlands and sea stacks. A treacherous shoreline and rough seas likely helped preserve the coast.
Click Here for Brochure & Map

Rialto Beach - Rocky beaches, giant drift logs, pounding waves and views of offshore islands known as 'seastacks' are features that define Rialto Beach (photo on right) . Click here for more information.
First Beach - Ocean views, sea stacks (offshore land formations). There are excellent opportunities to view bald eagles and seals, and bird life is common on sea stacks. Whale migration occurs in March/April and October.
Second Beach - Ocean views, sea stacks (offshore land formations). There are excellent opportunities to view bald eagles and seals, and bird life is common on sea stacks. Whale migration occurs in March/April and October.
Third Beach - In Lapush

Enjoy hiking opportunities in and around the Sol Duc Area. The Seven Lakes Basin area offers mountain lakes and excellent views of Mount Olympus from High Divide. During the winter months, trails can be buried under snow that often lingers into late summer. An ice axe, compass, or handheld G.P.S. may be necessary. Always bring your "10 essentials" and use Leave No Trace techniques to help preserve the wilderness experience in this quota area. Listed below are a few easy to moderate hikes for a relaxed day of enjoying "Nature at its' Best"! Click Here for Brochure & Map.

Sol Duc Falls Old growth forest to a cascading waterfall. 0.8 one way Elevation Gain - 200 ft.
Lover's Lane Old growth forest. Links resort to Sol Duc Falls. Use 6.0 loop Elevation Gain - 200 ft.Use Sol Duc Falls trail and campground trail to make a loop.
Ancient Groves Self-guided nature trail through old growth forest. 0.6 loop Elevation Gain - none
Mink Lake Climbs through dense forest to Mink Lake. 2.6 one way Elevation Gain - 1,500 ft.
Deer Lake Climbs through dense forest to Deer Lake. 3.8 one way Elevation Gain - 1,700 ft.

Lake Crescent, a cold, clear, glacially-carved lake, owes its existence to ice. Its azure depths, which plummet to 624 feet, were gouged by huge ice sheets thousands of years ago. As the ice retreated, it left behind a steep valley that filled with the clear blue waters of Lake Crescent. Lake Crescent is home to fish like the Beardslee and Crescenti trout, two types of fish found nowhere else in the world.

Lake Crescent is located in a popular recreational area which is home to a number of trails, including the Spruce Railroad Trail, Pyramid Mountain trail (to the right), and the Barnes Creek trail to Marymere Falls. The Spruce Railroad Trail follows the grade of what was once the tracks of a logging railroad along the shores of the lake.If you follow this trail which is on the North side of the lake, you will find the entrance to an old railroad tunnel as well as "Devils Punch Bowl", a popular diving and swimming area.

As you follow Hwy 101 along this spectacular lake, there are plenty of pull-outs for taking photos, or just taking a moment to enjoy the beautiful view of the lake and mountains. Take your time and enjoy the ride!

Hurricane Ridge is the most easily accessed mountain area within Olympic National Park. In clear weather, enjoy beautiful panoramic views throughout the year. Hurricane Ridge is located 17 miles south of Port Angeles on Hurricane Ridge Road, off Mount Angeles Road (directions).

On the way to Hurricane Ridge you will find beauty at every turn, and is quite possible you will encounter wildlife as well. Deer like to meander along the roadside, and an occasional bear can be spotted grazing in one of the open fields. There is a visitor center located on Hurricane Ridge which provides alot of history and information about the ridge. There are plenty of hiking trails from easy to difficult throughout the area. Hurricane Hill which is located past the visitor center at the end of the road, has a nice hiking trail that will give you a chance to view nature at its' very best! Enjoy breath-taking majestic views, wildlife, and a panoramic view of the Strait of Juan De Fuca and Port Angeles.

The road to Hurricane Ridge is open throughout summer, and is scheduled to be open daily during the winter months, weather permitting. All vehicles must carry chains during the winter season. Make sure to check the status of the road before coming. Allow plenty of time for exploring!

The Washington Olympic Peninsula has been known as "The Steelhead Capitol Of The World"! The Quillayte river system and Hoh River is home of the healthiest native steelhead population in the contiguous 48 States. Steelhead fisherman from around the world come to fish the Hoh, Sol Duc, and the Bogachiel rivers. These rivers flow from the rain forest slopes of the Olympic National Park

You can also enjoy fishing the waters of the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Washington States' Olympic Peninsula, or excellent fishing in the Strait Of Juan De Fuca, LaPush, Neah Bay, Seiku, and Clallam Bay. There are several fishing guides available that can help in your fishing excursions. Listed below are just a few of the many guides in and around the area.

Always Fishing with Randy Lato - River Guide and Ocean Charters - click here
Hunley's Guide Service - Craig Hunley Fishing Guide - click here
Washington West Fishing Adventures - click here
Curtis Wright Guide Service - (253) 677-5489