Quillayute River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Quillayute River |
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View of the mouth of the Quillayute River and James Island
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 Location of the mouth of the Quillayute River in Washington
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| Country | United States |
| State | Washington |
| County | Clallam |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Olympic Mountains 47°54′50″N 124°32′31″W / 47.91389°N 124.54194°W |
| River mouth | Pacific Ocean 0 ft (0 m) 47°54′30″N 124°38′32″W / 47.90833°N 124.64222°W |
The Quillayute River is a river found on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State. It flows into the Pacific Ocean at a place called La Push, Washington. This river is formed when three other rivers, the Bogachiel River, Calawah River, and Sol Duc River, join together. The Dickey River also adds its water to the Quillayute just before it reaches the ocean.
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About the Quillayute River
The Quillayute River is quite special. Even though it's one of the main rivers on the Olympic Peninsula, it's officially considered very short. It's only about 4 miles (6.4 km) long! This is because of an unusual way its length is measured. The name "Quillayute" stops being used at the point where the Sol Duc and Bogachiel rivers meet. However, the river system itself continues much further inland.
Where the River Flows
The Quillayute River's water comes from a large area called a drainage basin. This means it collects water from many smaller streams and rivers over a wide region. The river is an important part of the natural environment in this part of Washington.
The Name Quillayute
The name "Quillayute" comes from the Quileute people. They are a Native American tribe who have lived in this area for a very long time. In their language, the name is pronounced /kʷoʔlíːyot'/. It might have come from the word /kʷolíː/, which means "wolves." This name was also used for a village located at La Push.
Connection to the Quileute Tribe
The Quillayute River has always been very important to the Quileute Native Tribe. It is the traditional and ancestral heart of their land. Before European settlers arrived, the Quileute people lived throughout the entire area that the river drains. This also included the land around the Hoh River.
Today, the Quileute people live in the town of La Push. They have a small treaty reservation there. This reservation is right next to the south shore of the river, near where it meets the ocean. The river is still a central part of their culture and way of life.
Exploring the River and Park
The last 2 to 3 miles (3.2 to 4.8 km) of the Quillayute River flows through a narrow strip of the Olympic National Park. This part of the park is along the coast.
Things to Do at the Park
- Park roads lead to the Mora and Rialto Beach recreation areas. These are on the north side of the Quillayute River.
- Visitors can find places for camping and picnicking.
- There are public parking areas available.
- You can also find trailheads here. These are starting points for hikes into the coastal wilderness north of the river.
See also
- In Spanish: Río Quillayute para niños
