Major city · United States
Forks
Give Forks 1–2 nights as a wet-weather base for the Hoh Rainforest and La Push beaches; skip it if you only want Port Angeles and Lake Crescent.
Forks is a small logging town on US-101 that works as the west-side base for Olympic National Park: the Hoh Rainforest is about 1–1.25 h south (18 mi on US-101 plus 13 mi on Upper Hoh Road), Rialto and La Push beaches 20–30 min west. It rains here more than almost anywhere in the contiguous US, so plan indoor backups. Twilight fans add a half-day; everyone else uses it for beds, fuel and groceries between park days.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Jun–Sep (driest, long daylight)
- avoid Nov–Mar (heavy rain, short days)
- Airports
- SEA · S18 · UIL
- Nights
- 1–2
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Forks911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Forks, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyVery low crime; the real risks are rain, remote roads, wildlife on the highway and cold ocean water.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckSEA Seattle–Tacoma International (About 4 h by car; shuttle services run door to door (check current operators and fares)).
- Getting aroundA car is the practical choice: sights are 11–18 mi out on US-101 and WA-110 with no park shuttle.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$3–5
- Street or quick mealDiner breakfast$10–16
- Museum or sight ticketForks Timber Museum entry$3, free for ages 12 and under
- Budget bedHostel or shared bunk, a night, per personUS$40
- Mid-range bedMotel double room, a night, per roomUS$140
- High-end bedMotel double room, a night, per roomUS$220
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$70 · Mid US$120 · High US$200
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- SEA Seattle–Tacoma International (About 4 h by car; shuttle services run door to door (check current operators and fares)) · S18 Forks Municipal Airport (General aviation only; no scheduled commercial flights) · UIL Quillayute Airport (About 10 mi west; general aviation, no commercial service)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Feb
Avoid
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Mar
Avoid
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Apr
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
May
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Jun
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Jul
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Aug
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Sep
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Oct
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Nov
Avoid
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Dec
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Best: Jun–Sep. Avoid: Nov–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)), coolest Jan (2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C) low), wettest Jan (21 rain days), driest Jul (9). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Forks: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
21 rd
Feb
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
18 rd
Mar
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
21 rd
Apr
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
18 rd
May
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
15 rd
Jun
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
13 rd
Jul
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
9 rd
Aug
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
9 rd
Sep
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
11 rd
Oct
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
18 rd
Nov
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
21 rd
Dec
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
21 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
A car is the practical choice: sights are 11–18 mi out on US-101 and WA-110 with no park shuttle. The town grid itself is walkable in 15 min. Clallam Transit routes 14, 15 and 16 plus Jefferson Transit's Olympic Connection stop at the Forks Transit Center on US-101, but buses stay on the highway and do not enter the national park.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Hoh Rainforest
goDoor to door: About 1–1.25 h each way
US-101 south about 18 mi, then Upper Hoh Road about 13 mi to the visitor center
Go early: the parking lot fills on summer mornings and entry is by park pass.
Rialto Beach and Mora
goDoor to door: About 30 min
WA-110 west about 13 mi, then Mora Road
Sea stacks and driftwood; check the tide table before walking to Hole-in-the-Wall.
La Push (First Beach)
goDoor to door: About 25 min
WA-110 west about 14 mi
Quileute tribal land; follow posted rules and check any parking or access fee on arrival.
Second and Third Beach
goDoor to door: About 30 min, then a 1.5 mi walk each
WA-110 west, trailheads off La Push Road
Short forest hikes to quieter sand; check current camping rules before you plan an overnight.
Lake Ozette and Cape Alava
cautionDoor to door: About 1.5 h
US-101 north, then Hoko-Ozette Road
Boardwalk loop is a full day; the road is remote and slow.
Port Angeles
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h
US-101 east about 77 mi
Biggest town on the peninsula: ferries, hospital, more food and beds.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Downtown Forks (Forks Ave / US-101)
Motels, diner, grocery and gas within a 10-min walk; best for one night with a car.
North on US-101
Highway B&Bs and lodges 2–5 mi out; quieter, need a car for dinner.
La Push / Mora area
Closest beds to Rialto and First Beach, about 15–25 min west; lodging is very limited — check availability and book early.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $70–110 excl. bed
- Mid
- $110–180 excl. bed
- High
- $180+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel double room1 × 2 nights × US$140 | US$280 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × US$120 | US$480 |
| Rental car, one day1 × US$70 · check | US$70 |
| Fuel, Forks loop to Hoh and beaches1 × US$25 · check | US$25 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15 | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$89 |
| Trip total≈ US$244 per person per day, bed included | US$974 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; park entry pass and flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $3–5 |
| Diner breakfast | $10–16 |
| Burger or sandwich | $10–18 |
| Pizza, one large | $18–28 |
| Grocery run for two, one day | $25–45 |
| Gallon of fuel | $4–5 (check) |
| Forks Timber Museum entry | $3, free for ages 12 and under |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Rain is the default: bring a waterproof shell and dry bags for camera gear.
- Cell signal and Wi-Fi are patchy outside town; download maps and park info before you drive out.
- Fuel and groceries are limited — Forks Outfitters is the main grocery; fill up before heading to the coast or the Hoh.
- Some Twilight sites are private homes or working buildings: view from outside only.
- Elk and deer on US-101 and WA-110 at dawn and dusk; drive slow.
- No commercial flights: the nearest big airport is Seattle, about 4 h away.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
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ForksForks
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
No embassies in Forks; nearest consulates are in Seattle. US visitors: 911 for emergencies.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Shuttle Sea-Tac → Forks: about $66–150 one way, 30% off each extra passenger (check)
- Clallam Transit local fare: check current fare and day pass
- Fuel, Forks → Hoh and back: about $15–25
Say or show
- Where is the trailhead? — Where is the trailhead?
- Is the road open? — Is the road open?
- One night, two people — One night, two people
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- Where is the nearest gas station? — Where is the nearest gas station?
Tipping: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 a drink, 15–20% taxis.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Forks. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jun–Sep (driest, long daylight) · avoid Nov–Mar (heavy rain, short days) · month by month →
- 3 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 6 day-trips, door to door
- 6 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for SEA: shuttle and rental-car cutoffs, overnight rung in Port Angeles.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: downtown Forks, the chamber and timber museum, La Push and Mora, the Hoh corridor.
- Place pages with verified hours (Forks Timber Museum, Forever Twilight in Forks, chamber visitor center) and eat pages with last orders.
- Tide and rain fixtures so beach and rainforest days can go green or be swapped.
Sources
- officialCity of Forks
- officialForks Chamber of Commerce
- officialClallam Transit
- officialJefferson Transit — Olympic Connection
- officialOlympic National Park — Rialto Beach
- officialForks Timber Museum
- secondaryWikivoyage: Forks, revision 5322783 (CC BY-SA 4.0)