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Forks, Washington is located 50 miles south of Port Angeles and 100 north of Aberdeen on Coastal Hwy 101. The coast hwy 101
runs south all the way to San
Francisco.
REGIONAL
MAP showing: Port Angeles, Seattle, Tacoma, Olympia,
Aberdeen, Forks, Neah Bay, Brinnon, Hoodsport, and Olympic
National Park.
The map also notes the scenic attractions located
west of Lake Crescent.
(Click
on Map to Enlarge.)
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The map below represents all the main attractions west
of Lake Crescent. All the areas depicted on the map are best accessed from the Forks area as
the road around Lake Cresent is10 miles long and winds along at 35 mph. Hence all areas East of Lake Cresent are
best accessed from Port Angeles while all areas West of Lake Cresent are best accessed from Forks.
As you will discover the Hoh Rain Forest, Rialto Beach, Sol Duc
Falls and the Cape Flattery Lookout
all require driving off of Hwy 101 and returning to Hwy 101 on the same route. Hence Forks is the Hub and center
of all the Scenic Attractions of the Western half of the Olympic National Park.
The write up descriptions following the map all refer
to attractions listed on the map. They go hand in hand.
It generally takes 3 or more days to properly visit
this area.
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THE FIVE MOST
POPULAR DESTINATIONS
1st The Hoh Rain Forest is 12 miles south
on HWY 101 and then 18 miles inland on the Hoh Rain Forest Road. This area receives about
200 inches of rainfall per year and is one of the only coniferous rain forests in the world.
The road is paved and easy to drive. There is a large parking lot and a very interesting natural history museum once
you get there. The Hoh has a series of nature walks such as the “Hall of
Mosses" and the "Spruce Trail.” Along each walk there are informative
stanchions describing what you are viewing.
2nd Rialto Beach is 12 miles from Forks. This area is sometimes referred to as Mora. There
is parking next to the ocean and a rest room area. Rialto is rugged, beautiful and isolated. The beach is loaded with drift wood and some logs are over 6 feet in diameter. Every direction you look there are impressive headland rock formations and islands. By walking 1 ½ miles
north along the beach you can reach the scenic “hole in the rock.”
Low tide is best but during the summer even high tide is okay but don’t be among the logs during high surf in
stormy weather!
3rd The Makah Indian Culture Museum is located in Neah Bay, the northwesterly tip of the Olympic Peninsula. It is recognized by the Smithsonian
Institute as one of the 10 best Indian Cultural Museums in the United
States. Artifacts
obtained from the Ozette “digs” are presented in a cultural setting complete with a reconstructed lodge, cedar
canoes, woven baskets and much more. The digs are internationally recognized
as representing a cross segment of native life and culture 500 years ago. It
was then that the Ozette
Village was covered
by a sudden and catastrophic mud slide which completely covered the village, and in the process preserved the elements of
everyday life on the rugged Pacific Coast before
the appearance of Europeans. (Museum exempt from $7 recreational permit charge, but for additional travel on the reservation
the pass is required.)
4th The Cape Flattery
Lookout offers sensational views of the Tatoosh Island Lighthouse, monstrous sea stacks and caves, replete with an
abundance of sea birds and sometimes whales, sea lions and seals. The lookout
requires a vigorous ¾ mile walk on a hand carved trail interspersed with cedar board walks. The footing is irregular so if
you have a hard time walking it is not recommended. There is no view from the
parking lot so you must walk to the lookout for the ocean views. The lookout
is approx. 9 miles past the museum and includes 4 miles of gravel road. Ask at the RV park office for a free map before
leaving. Travel to the Lookout requires the purchase of a $7 Makah Recreational Permit.
5th The Sol
Duc Hot Springs National Park area is located 27 miles north of Forks. The
13 mile road to the Sol Duc falls is newly paved and provides a very scenic and easy drive. It is then an easy 1 mile walk to the bridge over the falls. The Hot Springs are open
to the public and consist of 2 hot pools (approx. 100 degrees each) and one large fresh water swimming pool. There are life
guards, a snack bar, picnic area, and an evening restaurant. Pool charges
are approx. $7 to $11 for each person, depending on age. The pass is good for
all day. The pool and Sol Duc
Falls are approx. 2
miles apart.
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Courtesy
of the Forks 101 RV Park
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