Quinault Rainforest Tour: 33 Miles into Olympic National Park

Walk among world record trees in the Valley of the Giants

A 3-hour guided tour through the Quinault Rainforest travels 33 miles into Olympic National Park with a certified interpretive guide who shares the history of the Quinault Indian Nation and the region's ecology. The tour includes comfortable shuttle transport and stops for photography and short walks through the temperate rainforest, and is suitable for all ages and fitness levels.

Step-by-step itinerary

Quinault Rainforest guided tour

• Travel 33 miles into Olympic National Park
• Explore rainforest with certified guide
• See towering Sitka spruce and maples
• Visit waterfalls and crystal-clear pools
• View world record trees in Valley of Giants
• Learn history of Quinault Indian Nation
• Take photo stops along the way

The experience

The Quinault Rainforest sits inside Olympic National Park, and this tour goes 33 miles deep into it: far enough to reach the Valley of the Giants, where Sitka spruce and big-leaf maples tower overhead and waterfalls drop into pools below. A certified interpretive guide leads the way, explaining the history of the Quinault Indian Nation and how the ecosystem works: why the mosses hang so thick, what lives in the understory, what the record-holding trees mean for the forest. The shuttle does the driving so you can watch the landscape change as you go deeper in.

The tour builds in time to stop and walk short stretches on foot, which means you get close enough to photograph the trees and waterfalls without committing to a full day of hiking. Rain-soaked moss, cascading water and the sheer scale of the old-growth forest are the backdrop, and the guide's knowledge of the place and its people is what makes the details stick. Service animals are welcome, and infants can ride on an adult's lap during the shuttle portions.

What’s included

• Certified interpretive guide in English.
• shuttle transport for the 33-mile route into Olympic National Park.
• photo stops and short walks through the rainforest.
• access to the Valley of the Giants and world record trees.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day except Tuesday and WednesdayDepartures at 09:30 and 15:00

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (2 to 11 years): free · Infant (under 2)

GroupUp to 8

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomeInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Lake Quinault Boat Tour

Is this one for you?Choose this if you want English-language interpretation of the forest's ecology and Quinault history as you walk, rather than self-guided exploration or a longer backcountry trek.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (2 to 11 years): free; Infant (under 2).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What are the world record trees in the Valley of the Giants?

The Valley of the Giants holds some of the tallest and largest trees in the region: Sitka spruce and big-leaf maples that have grown for centuries in the rainforest. The certified guide explains what makes them record-holders and what conditions in the Quinault Rainforest allow them to reach that size.

How much walking is involved in this tour?

The tour includes short walks at photo stops, not a full-day hike. You travel by shuttle for most of the 33 miles, then get out to walk and explore specific spots. The pace is set by the guide and designed to work for all fitness levels.

What does the guide talk about during the tour?

The certified interpretive guide shares the history and culture of the Quinault Indian Nation, explains how the temperate rainforest ecosystem works, and points out the flora and fauna you encounter. The commentary is in English throughout the 3-hour tour.

Can I bring my service animal on this tour?

Yes, service animals are allowed on the tour. Infants must sit on an adult's lap during the shuttle portions of the drive.