Willaby Creek

Getting There

From Hoquiam/Aberdeen, head north on Hwy 101. In about 35 miles, you'll pass through the small community of Neilton. A little less than 2.5 miles north on 101, bear right onto the well-signed South Shore Road. At 1.3 miles, the trailhead is on the right, with signs for the Quinault Rain Forest Nature Trail. The trailhead has many parking spaces, including at least one accessible parking spot. There are public toilets with running water, trash receptacles, and some picnic tables.

This trailhead serves the Rain Forest Nature Trail loop, the short Nature Trail Loop with interpretive signs, and a trail down to the lake and Willaby Campground. The section of the Nature Trail Loop along the creek is shown on the Forest Service's map as accessible. It's generally flat with dirt or small stones, but is narrow in some sections.

From this trailhead, take the Quinault Loop Trail to get to the start of the Willaby Creek Trail. The map above shows the location of the start of the Willaby Creek Trail.

After your hike, continue along South Shore Road to the small community of Quinault, which has the Quinault Lodge, gas station, mercantile store, and the Quinault Ranger Station. There are several seasonal campgrounds in the area. Other trails extend up into the forest. Cascade Creek creates two falls: one at the Falls Creek Campground under the road next to the ranger station, and the Cascade Falls, which is less than a mile into the forest behind the mercantile store. There's also a trail along the lake to enjoy between the Willaby and Falls Creek campgrounds. Also don't miss the world's largest Sitka spruce tree!