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Lake Quinault Lodge Historic Lodging near Olympic National Park

Home / National Parks / Lake Quinault Lodge Historic Lodging near Olympic National Park

Catherine Parker, Updated March 11, 2022

Lake Quinault Lodge, Olympic National Park for kids, historic hotels in Washington,
Lake Quinault Lodge set on the shores of the Lake Quinault near the Olympic National Park offers families the opportunity to paddle and hike together while enjoying an historic property updated to fit the needs of modern families. Photo Credit: Catherine Parker / National Parks SheBuysTravel
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and buy, SheBuysTravel may receive a small commission at no additional charge to you.

Looking for an idyllic lodge perched over a shimmering lake nestled in a majestic forest with cool summer temperatures and lots of activities for the family? During a recent visit to Olympic National Park in Washington, I stayed at Lake Quinault Lodge and found all that. Featured on the PBS series, Great Lodges of the National Parks, this historic lodge features family activities that kids will love along with all the quaint details that Moms crave.

Lake Quinault Lodge, Olympic National Park for kids, historic hotels in Washington,
Lake Quinault Lodge set on the shores of the Lake Quinault near the Olympic National Park offers families the opportunity to paddle and hike together while enjoying an historic property updated to fit the needs of modern families. Photo Credit: Catherine Parker / National Parks SheBuysTravel

Lake Quinault Lodge sits on the shores of Lake Quinault in the Olympic National Forest, a stone’s throw from Olympic National Park. With resort activities and amenities that most national park properties lack, Lake Quinault Lodge offers families a refined national park adventure.

Olympic National Park offers over 900,000 acres for families to explore in Washington. A year-round outdoor destination boasts rugged Pacific coasts dotted with tide pools, hidden trails meandering through dense rain forests and accessible mountain tops with inspiring views.

Lake Quinault Lodge

Lake Quinault Lodge features 91 rooms plus one suite across six buildings centered around the historic two-story lodge. Perched on a hillside on the shores of Lake Quinault, families can enjoy water sports as well as rain forest hikes during their stay.

Lake Quinault Lodge, Olympic National Park for kids, historic hotels in Washington.
The hydrangeas provide pops of color against the natural cedar-shake exterior of the Lake Quinault Lodge. Photo Credit: Catherine Parker / National Parks SheBuysTravel

Inside of the lobby, guests relax in over-sized leather chairs next to a roaring fire while enjoying a cup of coffee and a book. Outside, a deck outfitted with umbrellaed tables invite guests to enjoy a glass of wine and the lake view.

Next to the lobby, the Roosevelt Dining Room welcomed Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1937. That fall, FDR visited Lake Quinault Lodge when he toured the area before creating Olympic National Park in 1938.

Lake Quinault Lodge, Olympic National Park for kids, Great Lodges of the National Parks, Historic Hotels in Washington,
The Roosevelt Dining Room overlooks the expansive lawn of Lake Quinault Lodge and the feeders that hummingbirds visit. Photo Credit: Catherine Parker / National Parks SheBuysTravel

Hits of the Lake Quinault Lodge

  • The secluded setting along the lake allows families time to reconnect.
  • Kids can play games on the lawn or in the game room.
  • The heated pool and sauna are luxuries in an historic property.
  • In-room coffee maker features Starbucks coffee.

Misses of the Lake Quinault Lodge

  • Parked cars crowd the entrance of the lodge and distract from the building’s architecture.
  • Inconsistent bathroom renovations.

The Details

Lake Quinault Lodge is located on South Shore Road, next to National Forest Information Station and across the street from the Lake Quinault Museum. The lodge is within walking distance of hiking trails and the general store.

Lake Quinault Lodge, Olympic National Parks for kids, Great Lodges of the National Parks,
The lobby of the Lake Quinault Lodge offers activities for adults, like reading or playing chess. Photo Credit: Catherine Parker / National Parks SheBuysTravel

With historic lodge rooms to modern rooms with fireplaces and balconies, Lake Quinault Lodge offers lodging to accommodate most guests. Conveniently located on the southern end of Olympic National Park, it’s a couple of hours to drive from Seattle.

I enjoyed Lake Quinault Lodge for the rustic lake scenery, the refined common areas of the historic lodge and the rain forest hiking. My kids, 8, 12 and 13, enjoyed the rental boats, a heated pool, and a game room.

The Lodge

Constructed in 1926 the main building at Lake Quinault Lodge features cedar shakes and original divided light windows. The evergreen shutters match the towering centuries-old spruce trees that surround Lake Quinault Lodge adding charm to this hidden gem.

The front of the main lodge is understated and a bit crowded with the guest cars. To get a true appreciation for this historic lodge, walk around to the back of the building.

Lake Quinault Lodge, Great Lodges of the National Parks, Olympic National Park with kids, Historic hotels in Washington,
The Lake Quinault Lodge blends historic public spaces with modern guest rooms and amenities. Photo Credit: Catherine Parker / National Parks SheBuysTravel

A large, gracious lawn slopes towards Lake Quinault. During the summer, mature hydrangeas soften the lines of the hotel. Adirondack chairs dot the lawn, an ideal place to enjoy a book, a glass of wine or a cup of coffee. Guests gather here from sunrise to sunset to decompress.

A white gazebo sits at a corner of the expansive lawn and overlooks the lake; a popular spot to celebrate weddings. The main building at Lake Quinault Lodge features a ballroom that accommodates 125 guests.

My Room at Lake Quinault Lodge:

I enjoyed a room with two queen beds dressed with white linens and a pink coverlet in the Lakeside Building ($$). The lakeside rooms offer modern furnishings and a balcony overlooking Lake Quinault.

In my room, I found a TV along with a chocolate colored pull-out sofa, a great option for families. My room also featured an arm chair upholstered in hues of the lake along with a coffee table. My room didn’t have a phone.

Lake Quinault Lodge, Olympic National Park with kids, Historic Hotels in Washington,
I enjoyed a Lakeside Room with two queen beds, a sitting area with a pull-out sofa and a balcony to enjoy the sounds of the lake. Photo Credit: Catherine Parker / National Parks SheBuysTravel

The balcony overlooking the lake offered a perfect spot to enjoy the in-room Starbucks coffee where I found two chairs and a small table. The siding glass door remained open my entire stay so I could hear the lake.

The granite bathroom counter with a white vessel sink and upgraded vanity lighting is outside of the enclosed bathtub and toilet room. My room didn’t feature a renovated bathtub area or a closet but had a handy coat rack next to the front entrance.

Lake Quinault Lodge, Olympic National Park with kids, Great Lodges of the National Parks, Historic hotels in Washington,
Listening to the waves while enjoying a cup of coffee before my kids wake up keeps me sane. Photo Credit: Catherine Parker / National Parks SheBuysTravel

I entered my room from an outside corridor and parking was convenient to my room.

Family Activities at Lake Quinault Lodge:

Lake Quinault Lodge features a heated indoor pool along with a men’s and women’s sauna; features I don’t see in many national park properties. My kids found a game room stocked with a pool table, Ping-Pong and foosball.

Lake Quinault Lodge, Historic Hotels of Washington, Olympic National Park with Kids,
Lake Quinault Lodge features a heated indoor pool that my kids loved. Photo Credit: Catherine Parker / National Parks SheBuysTravel

Lake Quinault Lodge rents kayaks, small row boats and stand-up paddle boards along the shore. On the lawn, kids can play football, baseball, bocce ball or Wiffle ball while adults sit in Adirondack chairs watching the sun set.

In the evening, Lake Quinault Lodge lights a fire pit on the lakeshore and the gift shop sells s’mores kits for $4. Watching my marshmallow toast while the evening sky glowed like the campfire was a highlight of my stay.

Lake Quinault Lodge, Olympic National Park for kids, Great Lodges of the National Parks, Historic hotels in Washington,
Lake Quinault Lodge has activities for the whole family like a nightly s’mores, a lake perfect for skipping and a game room. Photo Credit: Catherine Parker / National Parks Traveling Mom

Excursions at Lake Quinault Lodge:

The Lake Quinault Lodge features a couple of excursions that depart from the property.

A four-hour guided bus tour takes visitors to the best photo opportunities in the Quinault Rainforest and offers the opportunity to catch an animal sighting. The knowledgeable local guide discusses the history of the area along with the Quinault Indian Nation. Short hikes take guests into the rainforest to see the magnificent Western hemlocks and Douglas firs up close.

Lake Quinault Lodge, Olympic National Park for kids, Historic Hotels in Washington,
Lake Quinault Lodge offers lakeside lodging in an historic property featured on the PBS series, Great Lodges of the National Parks. Photo Credit: Catherine Parker / National Parks SheBuysTravel

The Lake Quinault Boat Cruise departs from the lodge’s dock three times a day. Scenic tours offer passengers a sunrise, afternoon or sunset cruise.

The third weekend in October celebrates the mushrooms of the Olympic Peninsula with the annual Mushroom Festival. Guests can learn how to forage for wild mushrooms and the Roosevelt Dining Room’s chef creates a special menu for weekend featuring mushrooms.

Family Hiking in the Lake Quinault Rainforest

While staying at Lake Quinault Lodge, take the kids on a hike. Hiking trails start on the property and vary in length and difficulty.

Lake Quinault Lodge, Great Lodges of the National Parks, Olympic National Park with kids,
Lake Quinault offer lots of hiking trails into the temperate rain forest of Olympic National Forest. Photo Credit: Catherine Parker / National Parks SheBuysTravel

My kids, 8, 12 and 13 enjoyed the Rain Forest Nature Trail Loop, a .5-mile trail that’s partially accessible, an option for strollers. The Lake Quinault Loop Trail offers an 0.9-mile accessible section along the lake that kids enjoy. Be sure and hike to the world’s largest Sitka spruce on the .3-mile trail, located close to the post office.

Lake Quinault Lodge’s Roosevelt Dining Room

The historic Roosevelt Dining Room offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner with a kids’ menu. Breakfast starts at 7:30 a.m. and the dining room closes at 9 p.m. during the summer.

Lake Quinault Lodge, Historic Lodges of the National Parks, Olympic National Parks for kids, historic hotels in Washington,
The Roosevelt Dining Room, named after Franklin D. Roosevelt who visited in 1927, features local favorites like Marion Berry Cobbler served alongside Starbucks coffee. Photo Credit: Catherine Parker / National Parks SheBuysTravel

The Roosevelt Dining Room features tables overlooking Lake Quinault and offers traditional selections for breakfast, like omelets and eggs benedict. For lunch, diners can choose from resort-inspired offerings. The dinner menu features Pacific Northwest seafood along with traditional favorites like Roosevelt’s Classic Pot Roast.

Tips from a SheBuysTravel:

  • Complimentary Wi-Fi is available.
  • Lake Quinault Lodge doesn’t have air conditioning, though I didn’t need it during my July visit.
  • Lake Quinault Lodge is a pet-friendly property.
  • If your kids require a bathtub, request one. Not all rooms have a tub.
  • Just need to feed the kids? The Quinault General Store makes pizzas to-go along with sandwiches and ice cream, located across the street.
  • Paddle the lake in the morning for calmer water.

Filed Under: National Parks Tagged With: hotels, multi-generation, outdoors, resorts, summer, Washington

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Christine Tibbetts says

    August 3, 2016 at 4:42 pm

    Seems like growing up in your family would be delightful.

    Reply

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