Forks City
Rainy Olympic Peninsula town, setting for Twilight novels
On the Olympic Peninsula, Forks sits under rain-heavy firs and markets fishing charters, clamming and access to Rialto and La Push beaches. Tourists arrive for rainforest trails, Olympic National Park spurs and - occasionally - Twilight lore.
Forks at a Glance#
Costs: Around $80-140 per day - expect $80-140/day; prices rise in summer and on holiday weekends.
Safety: Safe but very wet seasonally - safe small community; heavy rain and storm-season closures are the main concerns.
Best Time: June to September - june-September for drier weather and easier access to parks and beaches.
Why Visit Forks?#
Rainforest, surf and cinematic fame make Forks unexpectedly appealing: it’s the gateway to the Hoh Rainforest and nearby Rialto Beach and La Push, and it also draws Twilight fans to the settings behind the stories. Fishing guides, river floats on the Bogachiel and local Quileute culture add layers beyond the books. Accommodation ranges from rustic cabins to cozy inns, lending the place an outdoors-first personality.
Best Things to Do in Forks#
Forks Bucket List#
Forks Timber Museum - Discover local logging history and rotating exhibits at the Forks Timber Museum downtown.
Rialto Beach - Walk driftwood-strewn shores and see sea stacks at Rialto Beach’s dramatic coastline.
Hoh Rainforest (Olympic National Park) - Hike moss-draped trails through ancient Sitka spruce and western hemlock in Hoh Rainforest.
First Beach (La Push) - Walk broad sandy shores and watch surfers at La Push’s First Beach access.
Lake Crescent - Swim or paddle clear waters and hike Marymere Falls near Lake Crescent.
Bogachiel River valley - Fish, hike, or birdwatch along the peaceful Bogachiel River valley close to Forks.
Quillayute Needles National Wildlife Refuge - Explore tidepools and seabird colonies within sections of the Quillayute Needles refuge.
Twilight fan tours - Take a Twilight fan tour to see filming locations and local movie ties.
Hurricane Ridge (Olympic National Park) - Drive to Hurricane Ridge for alpine meadows, short hikes, and panoramic mountain views.
Sol Duc Hot Springs - Soak in mineral pools and hike to Sol Duc Falls surrounded by evergreen forest.
La Push and Quileute village beaches - Visit La Push beaches and the Quileute village to learn coastal Indigenous culture.
Best Time to Visit Forks#
Forks is a temperate rainforest - expect frequent rain and mossy green landscapes most of the year. Visit in summer for the driest, coolest conditions; winters are wet and stormy but spectacularly atmospheric.
October - May
5-12 °C (41-54 °F)
Persistent drizzle and heavy forest rain; everything is green and dramatic, but outdoor plans require waterproof gear and flexible scheduling.
June - September
12-18 °C (54-64 °F)
Cool, mostly cloudy but much drier - best time for hiking, beaches and sea kayaking without the constant rain and crowds.
December - February
3-10 °C (37-50 °F)
Mild temperatures but very wet and windy; dramatic storms and high surf make for atmospheric stays, not sunbathing or beach swimming.
Forks's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 1°C to 22°C. Heavy rainfall (2950 mm/year), wettest in December.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 7°C and lows of 1°C. Heavy rain (401 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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February
February is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 1°C. Heavy rain (359 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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March
March is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 2°C. Heavy rain (324 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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April
April is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 3°C. Heavy rain (226 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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May
May is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 5°C. Significant rainfall (150 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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June
June is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 8°C. Regular rainfall (93 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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July
July is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (67 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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August
August is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (71 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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September
September is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 8°C. Significant rainfall (115 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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October
October is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 5°C. Heavy rain (272 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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November
November is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 3°C. Heavy rain (426 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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December
December is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of 1°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (446 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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How to Get to Forks#
Forks sits on the northwestern Olympic Peninsula and is most easily reached by road from Seattle (SEA) or by regional bus from Port Angeles. The town has no commercial air service and no passenger rail; driving or regional bus/shuttle are the practical choices.
Quillayute Airport (CLM / 0W8 area airfield): The small Quillayute/Clallam County airport near La Push/Forks is a general aviation field with no regular commercial service; transfers from the airfield to Forks are short taxi or private car rides.
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA): SEA is the principal major airport for reaching the Olympic Peninsula; driving from SEA to Forks takes about 3.5-4.5 hours depending on route and traffic (ferry options may be used to shorten driving time across Puget Sound). Rental cars or regional shuttles from Seattle to Forks are common during tourist season; plan for a multi‑hour road trip.
Train: There is no Amtrak service to Forks. The Olympic Peninsula is not well served by intercity passenger rail; trains stop on the east side of Puget Sound but not to Forks.
Bus: Clallam Transit operates bus routes across the north Olympic Peninsula, including service between Port Angeles and Forks; single fares are low (typically a few dollars). Regional private shuttle operators and seasonal tourist shuttles also run between Port Angeles, Forks and nearby trailheads - useful if you prefer not to drive.
How to Get Around Forks#
Forks is best accessed by car or regional bus; there’s no commercial airline or Amtrak service. If you want flexibility for Olympic coast and park access, rent a car - otherwise use scheduled Clallam Transit services or book a shuttle.
- Rental car ($40-100/day) - Renting a car is the most flexible way to visit Forks and explore the Olympic National Park coast and interior. Expect a scenic 3.5-4.5 hour drive from Seattle; winter and road conditions on rural roads can add time, so check weather and ferry schedules if using ferry routes.
- Regional bus (Clallam Transit) ($2-6) - Clallam Transit runs scheduled routes on the north Olympic Peninsula, including service linking Port Angeles and Forks. Fares are low (typically a few dollars) and buses serve local commuters and visitors; schedules are less frequent on weekends and off-season so check timetables.
- Private shuttle / tour ($20-60+) - Seasonal private shuttles and tour operators run transfers between Port Angeles, Forks and popular trailheads; these are convenient for hikers without cars. Book ahead in high season; fares vary by distance and operator.
- Taxi / local transfer ($10-50) - Local taxi services cover short trips within Forks and nearby communities; availability can be limited outside town and in low season. Taxis are useful for airport transfers to small local airfields or last‑mile pickups.
- Biking - Forks and the surrounding coastal roads are used by cyclists; distances between sights can be large and weather is often wet, so be prepared. Road shoulders vary and some touring experience is recommended for longer rides.
- Walking - Forks’ downtown is small and easy to explore on foot - shops, cafes and the marina are within walking distance. Walking is the simplest way to see town but not sufficient for regional exploration.
Where to Stay in Forks#
Downtown Forks - $70-120/night
Forks’ budget scene is primarily motels and small inns; limited choices but practical for Olympic National Park visitors.
Pacific Inn Motel (Forks) - Basic rooms, central Forks location
Ocean View Motel - Affordable, near town services
Coastal area / nearby parks - $120-200/night
Mid-range options include coastal lodges and established inns that offer more comfort and proximity to the park; choices increase seasonally.
Kalaloch Lodge (nearby) - Cozy lodge on the coast, park access
Forks mid-range motels and B&Bs - Comfortable, locally run accommodations
Coastline / Olympic NP - $200+/night
There are few true luxury hotels in Forks; higher-end stays are coastal or park lodges nearby rather than inside town.
Quileute Oceanside Resort (La Push area) - Premium beachfront cottages nearby
Premium park lodges (Olympic NP area) - Upscale rooms with natural surroundings
Where to Eat in Forks#
Rainforest-adjacent town with casual cafes and seafood spots; visitors find fresh salmon, halibut, coffee shops and Twilight-themed cafes catering to tourists.
Most eateries are relaxed and welcoming, offering pies, sandwiches and plate lunches suited to hikers and film-fans exploring the surrounding forest.
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Forks’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Shopping in Forks#
Shopping in Forks focuses on outdoor gear, tourist souvenirs (including Twilight-themed items) and a few small galleries and gift shops. Expect modest selection and friendly service rather than large retail centers. If you need specialist equipment or more variety, consider ordering ahead or stopping in larger towns en route.
Nightlife in Forks#
Evenings in Forks are low-key: casual bars, family restaurants and the occasional live-music night. The town caters more to daytime outdoor activities and sightseeing than late-night entertainment.
