We’re pretty sure closing the main transportation link between Forks and the rest of the world isn’t going to keep intrepid Twilighters and others from visiting Forks. But, just to make it a little easier, here are some suggestions on getting here during the closure.
If you’re driving from Sea-Tac Airport (the main international airport in the Seattle area), probably the best way to go is to head south on I-5 to Tacoma, take SR 16 (to find the exit off of I-5, follow the signs to “Bremerton,” just south of the Tacoma Dome) across the Narrows Bridge to the intersection with SR 3, follow SR 3 southbound to US 101, then head north on US 101, continue on US 101 until you reach Forks.
If you’re driving from downtown Seattle, take the ferry from Seattle to Bremerton, then follow the signs for SR 304 West until the turn-off to southbound SR 3 just south of Bremerton. Take SR 3 southbound to where it intersects with US 101, follow US 101 northbound, continue on US 101 until you reach Forks.
If you’re in the Olympia area, just take northbound US 101 and follow it all the way to Forks.
From the northern Puget Sound area, including the Bellingham area, Vancouver, BC, and the Lower Mainland, take the ferry from Keystone (on Whidbey Island north of Seattle) to Port Townsend. We suspect this ferry is going to be very busy during this time, so you may need reservations. As you leave the ferry in Port Townsend, turn to the left on E. Sims Way/SR 20 and follow SR 20 to US 101. Turn right on US 101 and follow it westbound until arriving in Forks. (If you’re in the Greater Vancouver, BC, area, you may also want to consider taking the Tsawwassen ferry to Swartz Bay (Sidney) and then taking the Coho ferry into Port Angeles from Victoria and then driving west to Forks on US 101.)
From the south and southwest parts of the state, simply follow US 101 northbound through Aberdeen/Hoquiam, following the incredible Pacific Ocean beaches along the route, until you reach Forks.
Other options include flying in with our friends at Kenmore Air (they even have a Twilight Special!); taking the Coho ferry from Victoria, BC, Canada; or taking the “Twilight Ferry” (while we like the name, we’re told it has nothing to do with vampires . . . ) from Edmonds to Port Townsend and then driving to Forks from there. This is a special ferry, intended primarily for commercial vehicles, so here again, you may need reservations.
The Washington State Department of Transportation has done a commendable job of attempting to minimize the impact this huge project is going to have on travelers. Check outtheir web page for this project, including their cool interactive travel map!
If you need further information, please contact the Forks Chamber of Commerce at 1-800-443-6757 or
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. Thanks for including Forks in your travel plans!
Forks Washington on the Olympic Peninsula
People often refer to the Olympic Peninsula as an “island.” Well, if you thought it was an island before, it’s really going to seem like one during the scheduled 6-week closure of the Hood Canal Bridge, beginning May 1, 2009.
June 4, 2009, UPDATE–The Bridge is Back!! No, it’s not an Elton John song, the Hood Canal Bridge reopened last night–ahead of schedule. More information at the Washington State Department of Transportation site.
6 Comments
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Tue. 21 Jul. 2009 08:28
by virna
vorrei sapere che autobus o mezzo di trasporto pubblico posso prendere dall'aeroporto di sattle a forks Virna--feel free to contact the Forks Chamber of Commerce at info@forkswa.com for this information. Otherwise, my suggestion is to rent a car at Sea-Tac airport in Seattle. Many of the places I would want to visit in this rural area are not easily reached without your own vehicle. Other options, though, include taking the public bus (it's complicated--three or four different systems--Metro Transit, Kitsap Transit, Jefferson Transit and Clallam Transit) or trying Rocket Transportation. Hope that helps! ~Cari PS--The Hood Canal Bridge (which is the subject of this post) is OPEN now, so do not worry about the bridge.
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Wed. 03 Jun. 2009 03:14
by Kim
Will the bridge be opened by June 19th? My family is flying to Seattle from Philadelphia, PA and staying in Forks for a 3 day "Twilight" vacation. Kim--well, you never know, I guess, but if I had to bet on when it will open, I'd say right around June 5th. No official word, but they are strongly hinting that it'll be any day now. Definitely by the 19th, though. Thanks for coming to Forks! It's a great time of year to visit. ~Cari
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Wed. 13 May. 2009 23:27
by JR
We will be visiting Forks this May 2009, and we are traveling in an RV from Seattle. Which route would you recommend (RV friendly)? And is there any nice RV parks near by? JR--the choices are pretty well set out in the post above. If you don't mind the drive, you could either take the ferry from Seattle to Bremerton and come up Hood Canal; or, drive down to Tacoma and come up Hood Canal (as described above). Or, for less driving, take the special "Twilight" ferry from Edmonds to Port Townsend and drive from there. You may need a reservation for this ferry, though. RV parks are listed in our lodging listings. Have a fun trip! ~Cari
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Fri. 08 May. 2009 04:03
by Eric
Here's some more info on the Coho Ferry. http://www.vitw.ca/business-directory/coho-schedule/
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Wed. 29 Apr. 2009 12:06
by Jessica
Can you help? I'm not at all familiar with the Peninsula. We'll be coming from the Eastside of Seattle (Bellevue/Redmond/Kirkland). Which of the above directions should I follow? THANKS! Jessica--I'd probably follow the directions for Downtown Seattle. Or, if you'd rather drive through Tacoma, follow the directions from Sea-Tac. Either way, the route should be clearly marked and, with the trip up Hood Canal, very scenic. Enjoy! ~Cari
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Mon. 27 Apr. 2009 09:32
by kimberley
oh what a massive pain in the butt for visitors.......... will the web cam on the hood canal still be operational???? Kimberley--well it's one of those things that just has to be done. The 7,869 feet (2,398 m) long bridge is the longest floating bridge in the world located in a saltwater tidal basin, and the third longest floating bridge overall. It'll be good to go in a little over a month, so it's not that bad. Oh, on the cams--we were wondering the same thing. We'll see. But check out the construction cameras they've set up! ~Cari
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