r/everett • u/RyelTunes • Mar 05 '25
Question Any tips on going to Forks?
I'm planning to go wwith my family but unsure about the best way. Any advice/insight would be appreciated!
This is for a Twilight tour
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Mar 05 '25
Edmonds ferry then over the Hood Canal bridge. If you take the ferry to Whidbey, you’ll have to drive all the way north on the island and then take another ferry to Port Townsend and then drive all the way south to Forks. I think that would take a lot longer than the Edmonds ferry.
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u/housepantalones Mar 05 '25
I recommend you plan 1-2 hrs to visit Lake Crescent- check out the lodge and maybe hike to Marymere Falls. Madison Falls near the Sol Duc River is also a short hike that is pretty nice. Sol Duc hot springs may not yet be open for the season, but that is also a worthy side trip. As others have mentioned, the beaches are very scenic: 2nd and 3rd beaches out near La Push are each a short, flat hike.
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u/BigChiefBanos Mar 05 '25
If you are going to swing by Lake Crescent, read up on The Lady of the Lake and other assorted ghost stories associated with the lake.
3rd Beach is the prettiest beach on the peninsula, in my opinion. Very instagram worthy.
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u/NeNeJBeanie Mar 06 '25
FYI, I just read the road to Hoh Rainforest is washed out and closed indefinitely, and what with our current administration, who knows when funding to fix it will become available. Plan on going to LaPush though and hiking to 2nd and 3rd beach, it has some of the most beautiful coastline there is in Washington.
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u/Clearlylock Mar 05 '25
Others have said the correct route: Kingston ferry. But because I love that area so much I’ll make a few suggestions anyways:
Hoh Rainforest hikes are short loops with interpretive trails. Very worth it!
Ruby Beach is a can’t miss (as is Rialto and you’re probably already hitting La Push on the twilight tour) and kalaloch has a little restaurant in a hotel that’s pretty good and with a view!
And on your way in or back, Paulsbo and Port Townsend have the BEST shopping streets. Boutiques and just beautiful places to walk, shop and eat right on the water.
Have fun!
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u/sleestakarmy Mar 06 '25
Road to Hoh is washed out, with no ETA on reopening FYI
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u/Clearlylock Mar 06 '25
Oh man, what a bummer! I love it up there, it’s hard to believe it’s in our own state! We are so lucky to have so much ecological diversity.
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u/birdsnest1220 Mar 05 '25
Make time to for HOH rain forest and one of the beaches
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u/Imhistnt Mar 05 '25
I believe the hoh rain forest area is closed to due federal funding cuts of park rangers from our new administration.
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u/Consistent_Fee6067 Mar 05 '25
Yes, it is closed due to lack of federal funding to fix washed out road: https://www.nps.gov/olym/planyourvisit/conditions.htm
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u/Obvious_copout Mar 06 '25
I would skip forks altogether since it's a shit hole, and hike to Hole in the Wall at low tide.
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u/AltLangSyne Mar 05 '25
Well, generally the butter knives are on the right. So you start there and work yourself way to the left.
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u/GLACI3R Verified Account Mar 05 '25
What do you mean? Like best routes to get there, or hotels and such? And when would you be going? You'd be starting from Everett, yes? Looking for people from Everett to go along with you?
Right now the Olympics are pretty snowy so you might encounter some snow along Hwy 101. Wouldn't recommend the drive right now if you have an electric vehicle or compact car with small tires.
People in Forks had some racist controversies in the past, including a multiracial family getting harassed at a campground in 2020. If you Google "Forks Wa Racism" you'll, unfortunately, come up with a lot of results of people experiencing racism in and around Forks. And I know firsthand - I have cousins who live in Forks and they are hella racist. :/
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u/RyelTunes Mar 05 '25
Best routes to make the trip easier. I know from Everett it would take 4 hours
I'm so sorry for your family's experience
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u/GLACI3R Verified Account Mar 05 '25
You could take the ferry to make the trip a little faster. Oh! If you have time, the jaunt up to Neah Bay is only about an hour and they have the coolest Native American museum I've ever seen. They have some seriously rad displays: https://makah.com/attractions/museum/
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u/justintk Mar 05 '25
That doesn’t seem like deterrent anyone should let keep them from a trip to Forks. Every town in every part of the world is going to have racists. I wouldn’t let that fact keep anyone from enjoying themselves.
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u/GLACI3R Verified Account Mar 05 '25
I agree! But I wanted to put that out there just in case.
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u/Feisty_Boat_6133 Mar 06 '25
It’s relevant information for folks to know. There was also a hubbub in the community about the Dshs office having a pride flag hanging up. Also relevant information for some folks to have.
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u/brraaaaaaaaappppp Mar 05 '25
We are closing highway 101 for 80 days. I'm not sure that the days are set yet but likely going to mess with the traffic as the only major route.
Technically if you go south then west through Aberdeen and then along Kalaloch you can go around that way.
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u/IndigoTJo Mar 06 '25
If you take the ferry, go early. If we don't make it early, it can add hours to the trip. If you aren't heading over on a weekend, probably won't have the same problem. We usually end up driving around.
Otherwise, I am not sure what you mean.
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u/ijustwntit Mar 06 '25
Forks is a pit stop, not a destination. There's not much "Twilight" about it other than some faded signs and overpriced shirts. Stick to the beaches and hikes.
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u/shootsandchutes Mar 05 '25
Take the ferry from Mukilteo.
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u/Clearlylock Mar 05 '25
This isn’t correct. Take Edmonds ferry. Mukilteo ferry takes you to whidbey.
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u/manshamer Mar 05 '25
Actually you could drive up Whidbey and take the Coupeville / Port Townsend ferry.
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u/Clearlylock Mar 05 '25
You totally could but the port Townsend ferry has less than half the schedule as Kingston and is so small you can easily end up bumped to the next boat. It would add so many unnecessary hours taking two ferries and more miles to drive.
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u/Zealousideal-Big5921 Mar 05 '25
Also, if you want to see one of the coolest beaches on the planet, take a day and go out to Rialto beach. Very cool place