Forks

Forks is an administrative center in Clallam County on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State. The small town sits where three rivers converge to form the Quillayute River, surrounded by dense conifer forests and closer to the Pacific coast than to larger cities.

The Quileute inhabited this area for centuries until a reservation was established nearby in 1889 and loggers arrived shortly after. The town was founded in the early 20th century as a supply point for the growing timber industry along the rivers.

This area shifted from a logging community into a destination for travelers in the 2000s when readers of the Twilight novels began visiting locations linked to the story. Cafés and shops along the main street still carry references to the vampires and werewolves from the book series that brought international attention to the town.

A visit works best between May and September when the weather is milder and the surrounding trails in the Hoh Rainforest are easier to reach. The drive from Seattle takes roughly four hours and follows winding roads along the coast or across the peninsula.

The three rivers meet at a point west of town and form a Y-shaped confluence that gave the place its name. This natural crossing was once important for transporting timber downstream to the Pacific.

Location: Clallam County

Inception: 1945

Elevation above the sea: 93 m

Website: https://forkswashington.org

GPS coordinates: 47.95110,-124.38500

Latest update: December 12, 2025 10:19