Many campgrounds open in the Spring so come and cook your hand gathered shellfish over an open fire, park your RV or stay in one our local Motels, vacation rentals, ranger cabins, or Inns.
Held on May 29th & 30th, 2010, it lures hungry shrimpers from all over the Northwest.
The Brinnon ShrimpFest is a weekend festival celebrating Hood Canal Spot Shrimp and other local seafood. We feature craft booths, food booths, belt sander races, exhibits, live music, childrens activities and so much more.
Bring along your favorite decorated belt sander to enter the races that are held at noon each day. The tides are usually low enough during this weekend for easy harvest of clams and oysters on the public beaches near the festival, (license required) and the weather is traditionally good during this holiday weekend.
This is great family fun plus it's FREE! Come join us this year. ShrimpFest will again be held in the grassy field on the north side of the Dosewallips River on the East side of Highway 101.
Proceeds from ShrimpFest 2010 will be donated to the community.
The festival began in 1994. Over the years, the proceeds have benefited our community through donations to the Brinnon School and the Brinnon Volunteer Ambulance & Firefighters Association, Brinnon and Quilcene Community Centers as well as many other community projects.
Quilcene Fair, Parade and Classic Car Show
The Quilcene Fair, Parade and Classic Car Show rolls out September 18th 2010. Our community fair is steeped in tradition. Local clubs and organizations pull out their finest costumes and it’s not unusual to see decorated log trucks and tractors. There is fun for all ages including the Classic Car Show, Sportsman’s Show and Photo Show. Enjoy the Carnival Rides and Games, browse through the Arts and Crafts booths, or take part in the 2 mile/4 mile Ranger Run. The crowd catcher every year is the Burn-Out. Contestants from row upon row of beautiful classic cars make lots of noise and have their tread marks measured. Come see the sights and support local craftspeople.
Wilderness camping is available year round. Use this map Wilderness map to hike and tent-camp. You can also enter the national forest and pitch a tent just about anywhere but be sure to pick up your trash and pack it out. In the winter our Waterfalls get icy and look spectacular.
Large Map of Olympic National Park & Forest Spring wildflowers and waterfall viewing are at their best in the spring as mountain snow melts and the forests wake from their slumber. Wild Rhododendrens bloom on or around the second week of may, so be sure to bring your camera if visiting. Visit or call the Olympic National Forest Information Center in Quilcene for updated trail information, maps, books, general forest info, permits & passes.
Mushroom Harvesting (Fall)
Highway 101 encircles the Olympic Peninsula where one can hunt and harvest mushrooms year round but mostly in the fall. Come to the Brinnon/Quilcene Area to pick mushrooms for local resturants. Mushroom hunters comb the woods looking for tasty treats. you may know that mushrooms taste good but- did you know that mushrooms are high in protein? You can pick up to a pound of mushrooms for personal consumption. Up to 120lbs can be picked if you obtain a pass first from the Olympic National Forest Ranger Station in Quilcene. Mushroom picking Factsheet.
Scuba diving (year round)
The North Hood Canal is a great place to scuba dive, some of our prettiest natural wonders lay beneath the waves. People come from as far as Oregon to dive in the North Hood Canal's pristine waters. Teams of scuba divers teach classes on monthly outings to our area.
Plant harvesting (year round)
The Olympic National Forest offers plant harvesting of plants (2 free permits a year for 5 plants each) such as Rhododendrons, ferns, small trees, not to exceed 3' in height (check with a ranger station for species list on rare or special ones not to be harvested) and even evergreen trees ($5 cut permit) for christmas-time fun. For permits stop by the Olympic National Forest Ranger Station in Quilcene.
Firewood harvesting (year round)
Cold? You can cut/gather your own firewood for personal use in our local national forest with a permit from the Olympic National Forest Ranger Station located in Quilcene on Hiway 101.
Shellfish Harvesting
The season for shrimp harvesting begins in May and is open on selected days throughout the month. Check the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife website for rules and regulations. Spring is also the best time for clam digging and oyster harvesting Shellfish Harvest Map when the extreme daytime low tides expose hundreds of acres of intertidal lands packed with clams and oysters. Hood Canal Kayak offers clam digging and oyster shucking tutorials and equipment rentals or purchase your own equipment from one of our local stores.
Touring
Highway 101 encircles the Olympic Peninsula where one can tour the peninsula’s Pacific Coast, Olympic Rainforest, and the Hood Canal by car, RV, bicycle, or motorcycle in a single loop.
Kayaking
The Hood Canal is perfect for kayak beginners and experts alike. Bring your kayaks or rent from Hood Canal Kayak or Mike’s Beach Resort to explore the shores of the Hood Canal.
Any of these can be rented for special events, meetings, dinners and offer a wide diversity of accomidations for special needs guests, including handicap access and sturdy handrails, full service kitchen, WI-Fi access, computers, entertainment rooms... please visit the sites for further details. They also host most of the events in these towns for State and local city business meetings and info sessions surrounding the development of these two towns.
