Help with Olympic NP lodging?? Forks???
 

WE are planning a trip to Olympic NP and have three nights to stay there. We have reservations for one night in Port Angeles. We were wondering is there anything in the Forks area that is worth staying at?? or recommended?? IT seems that Forks is close to both the beach and the rain forest.. is that correct?? Thank you for all of your help.

Fairly close but exceedingly blah. Keep going down the road to Quinault.

Yeah, on a map, Forks does look like a good location, but I too would continue down the road. We really like Kalaloch Lodge (http://www.visitkalaloch.com/), at the South end of the coastal section of the park. They have some nice cabins situated right on the bluff, overlooking the ocean. From there, it is a short ride to the Queets corridor, or Hoh Valley (I prefer this one).

Forks is really isolated. If I remember correctly, it was really close to Second Beach, which is a beautiful wildnerness beach. We were the only ones there the morning we visited.
But I still remember thinking that I could never imagine living in a place so utterly isolated.

Forks is indeed small and boring. A handy spot to pick up groceries if you are camping or get a quick bite to eat if you are pssing through. Not much of real interest to the casual tourist however.

Another vote for Kalaloch Lodge.

Ken

I hate to disagree, but the best place to stay is Crescent Lake Lodge. It is very central to Park attractions, there are delightful hikes from the lodge, and it has an excellent restaurant. This is where Laura Bush stayed last summer.

The OP said they were looking at both beach and rain forest destinations. Lake Crescent isn't especially close to either.

We personally find Kalaloch to be overpriced, undermaintained, and coasting on its reputation (and its monopoly.)

I would ad that the restaurant at Kalaloch is run-of-the-mill and overpriced. Anybody who has stayed at Crescent Lake Lodge would tell you to stay there.

What about Lake Quinault Lodge? Haven't stayed there but heard fair/good things.
http://www.visitlakequinault.com/

Also in a trusted guidebook were these places:
Eagle Point Inn B & B
http://www.eaglepointinn.com/

Huckleberry Lodge
http://www.huckleberrylodge.com/

Good luck!

My husband and I spent 5 wonderful days on the Olympic Peninsula last May. We stayed in Port Townsend at the Sea Loft. Perfect loft for a couple, can't say enough nice things about the apartment or the owners. Pt. Townsend is a charming Victorian village, much different from functional Port Angeles. We made day trips to ONP (Hurricane Ridge); Bainbridge Island; Whale watching and a stop at San Juan island; toured the whole area. On our last day we drove south and stopped at Hoh Rain Forest. That area of the coast is totally different and much less developed. The Kalaloch Lodge seemed to be the only thing around and while the bluff location is nice, we were really glad we hadn't spent the money on accommodations there. I guess it depends on what you what to do in the Park. Gorgeous area, you are sure to enjoy it wherever you stay.

Some of the advice makes me suspicious of the validity of other advice at this site.

We had a great experience at Kalaloch lodge, loved the food too!

jimshep,
If there was any cause to question the validity of advice on this site, it would be your postings. Travelor wanted to know about Forks, and specifically noted that they already had reservations in PA. Given that, why would you recommend Lake Crescent? Certainly a great place, but not in the right location for Travelor. And, while some might think Kalaloch is overpriced, it seems a preferable choice over accommodations in Forks, which was, after all, the original question.

My wife and I live in the foothills above Hoodsport (other side of OlyNP). As many responders have indicated, Forks is not a special town but it is well located and has several inexpensive good motels--after all you will be tuckered out with the walking. Assume you are going to Hurricane Ridge while in Port Angeles-great hiking. You can go to Neah Bay for the farthest west US landfall and a good Indian cultural museum. That still gets you to Forks. In the late afternoon, drive over to LaPush and have dinner in the old boathouse--not too fancy but very good. Somebody's grandmother bakes all the pies. Ruby beach is very accessible and has some haystacks as well as it's share of driftwood. You will enjoy everything if you go with a relaxed mind.

As you've read from previous posters, Forks isn't the best place to stay. You will have to move around a bit to see Olympic NP, or else you'll spend copious hours in the car. Lots of ways to 'do' the pennisula - this is how we did it:

We explored the olympic pennisula in '02 and broke it up into three parts. Stayed in Port Townsend (Harborside Inn) to whale watch -- lovely victorian town! Stayed at Lake Crescent Lodge to explore the Hurricane Ridge and Lake area. We did stop in Forks on the way to Hoh Rainforest for a quick lunch and to buy souvenir sweatshirts.

After exploring Hoh Rainforest, we drove south and stayed on the Pacific at the oceanfront Best Western Lighthouse Inn, also riding horses on the widest beach i've ever seen. Great times!

Please note - there is no food whatsoever available in Hoh Rainforest. The closest is a funky hamburger joint just outside the gate, called 'Hoh Rain Cafe'....serving a surprisingly good burger...(or maybe we were just starving!) Shared a picnic table with several other tourists (the place was mobbed) and fun travel stories. All part of a great experience.