View source for Forks, Washington

{{other uses|Forks (disambiguation)}}
{{Use American English|date=June 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2022}}
{{Infobox settlement
| official_name      = Forks, Washington
| settlement_type    = [[City]]
| nickname           = Logging Capital of the World
| image_skyline      = Forks WA NE.jpg
| image_caption      = Aerial view of Forks
| image_seal         = Forks WA seal.jpg
| image_map          = Clallam_County_Washington_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Forks_Highlighted.svg
| mapsize            = 250px
| map_caption        = Location in the state of [[Washington (state)|Washington]]
| pushpin_map        = Washington
| pushpin_relief     = yes
<!-- Location -->| subdivision_type   = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_type1  = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_type2  = [[List of counties in Washington|County]]
| subdivision_name   = United States
| subdivision_name1  = [[Washington (state)|Washington]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[Clallam County, Washington|Clallam]]
<!-- Government -->| established_title  = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]]
| established_date   = August 7, 1945
| government_type    = [[Mayor–council government|Mayor–council]]<ref>{{cite web|title=City Council|url=https://forkswashington.org/city-government/city-council/|publisher=City of Forks|access-date=April 3, 2022}}</ref>
| leader_title       = Mayor
| leader_name        = Tim Fletcher<ref>https://forkswashington.org/city-government/city-council/</ref>
| unit_pref          = Imperial
| area_total_sq_mi   = 4.12
| area_land_sq_mi    = 4.12
| area_water_sq_mi   = 0.00
| area_footnotes     = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2019">{{cite web|title=2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2019_Gazetteer/2019_gaz_place_53.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=August 7, 2020}}</ref>
| area_total_km2     = 10.67
| area_land_km2      = 10.67
| area_water_km2     = 0.00
<!-- Population -->| population_as_of   = [[2020 United States Census|2020]]
| population_total   = 3335
| population_density_km2 = 312.6
| population_density_sq_mi = <!-- General information -->
| timezone           = [[Pacific Standard Time Zone|PST]]
| utc_offset         = -8
| timezone_DST       = [[Pacific Daylight Time|PDT]]
| utc_offset_DST     = -7
| coordinates        = {{coord|47|57|01|N|124|23|08|W|region:US-WA|display=inline,title}}<ref name=gnis/>
| elevation_footnotes = <ref name=gnis/>
| elevation_ft       = 305
<!-- Area/postal codes and others -->| postal_code_type   = [[ZIP Code]]
| postal_code        = 98331
| area_code          = [[Area code 360|360]]
| area_code_type     = [[North American Numbering Plan|Area code]]
| blank_name         = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info         = 53-24810
| blank1_name        = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info        = 2410520<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2410520}}</ref>
| website            = 
| footnotes          = 
}}

'''Forks''', also previously known as the unincorporated town of '''Quillayute''', is a town in southwest [[Clallam County, Washington|Clallam County]], [[Washington (state)|Washington]], United States. The population was 3,335 at the [[2020 United States Census|2020 census]].<ref name="2020 Census (City)">{{cite web|title=Census - Geography Profile: Forks city, Washington |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=1600000US5324810 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=May 6, 2022}}</ref> It is named after the forks in the nearby [[Bogachiel River|Bogachiel]], [[Calawah River|Calawah]], and [[Sol Duc River|Sol Duc]] rivers which join to form the [[Quillayute River]].

For much of the 20th century, the city's economy was fueled by the local [[timber]] industry. Forks later became a tourism destination for visitors to [[Olympic National Park]], recreational sport fishing in nearby rivers, and fans of the novel series ''[[Twilight (novel series)|Twilight]]'' and [[The Twilight Saga (film series)|films]], which are set in Forks. The town is also near the [[Clallam Bay Corrections Center]] and [[Olympic Corrections Center]].

==History==

===Indigenous settlement===

Forks was once inhabited by the [[Quileute]] [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] tribe, before they ceded their territory.<ref name="HistoryLink">{{cite web |last=Van Pelt |first=Julie |date=December 10, 2007 |title=Forks — Thumbnail History |url=http://www.historylink.org/File/8397 |work=[[HistoryLink]] |access-date=October 20, 2018}}</ref> In 1889 a [[Quileute Indian Reservation|reservation]] was created near Forks; that same year the village was burnt down by settler Daniel Pullen. Forks is 12 miles from tribal burning areas that area tribes used to regenerate young ferns. The phrase "prairie upstream" from Quileute language was translated and became the name Forks Prairie.<ref name="HistoryLink"/>

===Early settlement===

The first European American settlers in the modern-day Forks Prairie arrived in the 1860s by following the waterways in and around the [[Olympic Peninsula]] due to a lack of overland trails. A proposal to create [[Quillehuyte County, Washington|Quillehuyte County]] from the western sides of Clallam and Jefferson counties was accepted by the territorial legislature in 1868 but dissolved a year later.{{cn|date=February 2025}} The first [[Homestead Acts|homestead]] on the prairie was claimed in January 1878 by Luther and Esther Ford. Their {{convert|160|acre|ha|adj=mid}} property included the first dairy in the area, set up in 1879, and was later joined by other homesteads. A [[post office]] opened in the cabin of Ole Nelson, a local trapper, in 1884 and was named "Forks"; their preferred name "Ford's Prairie" had already been taken by another settlement in the territory.<ref name="HistoryLink"/> The name "Forks" was chosen for the forks of three nearby rivers.<ref name="HistoryLink"/>

Rudimentary trails and roads were built by settlers in the 1880s and 1890s to create trade routes; the nearest markets were in [[Port Townsend, Washington|Port Townsend]] and later [[Port Angeles, Washington|Port Angeles]], but the seasonal supply boats were unable to take large cargo.<ref name="HistoryLink"/> Timber around the prairie was cleared by settlers and small-time loggers in the late 19th century. They were followed by timber companies, including [[Merrill & Ring]] around the [[Pysht River]] in 1916, until the [[Olympic Forest Reserve]] was established in 1897 by the federal government. The forest reserve was gradually reduced in size but later contributed most of the land for [[Olympic National Park|Olympic National Monument]] (now Olympic National Park), which was established in 1909, and the [[Olympic National Forest]].<ref name="HistoryLink"/> Logging of non-federal land continued, but slowed during the [[Panic of 1907|1907 national recession]]. The [[U.S. Army]] sought to use the region's [[Sitka spruce]] to construct airplanes during [[World War I]] and built a {{convert|36|mi|km|adj=mid}} railroad to Port Angeles to aid in transport; the railroad was not used due to the end of the war.<ref name="HistoryLink"/>

The Mora post moved to Forks in the early 1890s which consisted of a general store, hardware store, and a hotel. In the early 1900s, hop growing declined and the Forks Cooperative Creamery was established which operated for 70 years.<ref name="HistoryLink"/> The town of Forks was [[plat]]ted in 1912 on the homestead of Merrill Whittier, a [[hop (plant)|hop]] farmer. It served as the economic center of the area between the [[Hoh River]] and Quillayute Prairie but only had a single block of buildings in its first decade.<ref name="HistoryLink"/> A fire on January 10, 1925, destroyed six buildings on the west side of the town; they were replaced later in the year along with plans for a new [[high school]] and social halls.<ref>{{cite news |date=July 15, 1925 |title=Forks Rebuilds From Ashes of Winter Blaze; Is Better Town Than Ever Was Before |page=1 |work=[[Port Angeles Evening News]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/peninsula-daily-news-forks-rebuilds-from/165130647/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |accessdate=February 10, 2025}}</ref> A new road passable for automobiles opened from Lake Crescent to Forks in 1927 and was replaced by the Olympic Loop Highway ([[U.S. Route 101 in Washington|US 101]]) in 1931.<ref name="HistoryLink"/> Another fire on Main Street in 1930 caused further damage.<ref name="HistoryLink"/>

===Modern history===
Forks was officially incorporated on August 7, 1945,<ref name="HistoryLink" /> following an election of the constituents who would become its first town members.{{cn|date=February 2025}}

The local timber industry boomed from the 1950s to 1970s, earning Forks the self-proclaimed title of "Logging Capital of the World."  Changes in environmental policy led to a significant decline in the timber industry in the 1980s and 1990s.  Timber harvesting is still part of the local economy, but at levels far below the peak of the 1970s.<ref>Dietrich, William {{Google books|dWDpBblF9vgC|The Final Forest|page=12}}</ref>

The city gained popularity for being a key setting in [[Stephenie Meyer]]'s [[Twilight (novel series)|''Twilight'' series]] (2005 to 2008) and related film adaptations (2008 to 2012).

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1950= 1120
|1960= 1156
|1970= 1680
|1980= 3060
|1990= 2862
|2000= 3120
|2010= 3532
|2020= 3335
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|author=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=July 21, 2014}}</ref><br />2015 Estimate<ref name="2015 Pop Estimate">{{cite web|title=Population Estimates|url=https://www.census.gov/popest/data/cities/totals/2015/SUB-EST2015-3.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161019182931/https://www.census.gov/popest/data/cities/totals/2015/SUB-EST2015-3.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 19, 2016|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=July 1, 2016 }}</ref>
}}

===2010 census===
As of the [[2010 United States census|2010 census]],<ref name ="wwwcensusgov">{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=December 19, 2012}}</ref> there were 3,532 people, 1,264 households, and 849 families residing in the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|967.7|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 1,374 housing units at an average density of {{convert|376.4|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 67.7% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.5% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 6.6% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 1.2% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.1% [[Race (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 18.1% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 5.9% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] people of any race were 25.9% of the population.

There were 1,264 households, of which 40.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.0% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 13.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 7.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 32.8% were non-families. 25.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.72 and the average family size was 3.16.

The median age in the city was 31.3 years. 29.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 10.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 27.6% were from 25 to 44; 23.2% were from 45 to 64; and 9.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 51.5% male and 48.5% female.

===2000 census===
As of the [[2000 United States census|2000 census]], there were 3,120 people, 1,169 households, and 792 families residing in the city. The population density was 854.8 people per square mile (330.2/km<sup>2</sup>). There were 1,361 housing units at an average density of 435.6 per square mile (168.4/km<sup>2</sup>). The racial makeup of the city was 81.47% White, 0.42% African American, 5.03% Native American, 1.51% Asian, 0.16% Pacific Islander, 8.49% from other races, and 2.92% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 3.54% of the population.

There were 1,169 households, out of which 36.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.4% were married couples living together, 11.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.2% were non-families. 24.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 3.15.

In the city, the age distribution of the population shows 30.4% under the age of 18, 11.1% from 18 to 24, 27.2% from 25 to 44, 22.1% from 45 to 64, and 9.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females, there were 111.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 108.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $34,280, and the median income for a family was $38,844. Males had a median income of $35,718 versus $23,690 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,686. About 14.6% of families and 20.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.7% of those under age 18 and 12.4% of those age 65 or over.

==Geography and climate==
The city lies on Forks Prairie just east of the confluence of the [[Calawah River]] with the [[Bogachiel River]]. [[U.S. Route 101]] passes through the town.<ref>''Forks, WA,'' 7.5 Minute Topographic Quadrangle, USGS, 1981</ref>
The [[Olympic National Park#Temperate rainforest|Olympic rainforest]] surrounds the town.

Forks has an [[oceanic climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Cfb]]) in a [[temperate rainforest]] with very high rainfall, above {{convert|100|in}} per year. Although there is a drying trend in summer, rain is still abundant, just not as wet as the rest of the year. Forks averages 212 days per year with measurable precipitation.<ref name="NOAAPrecipDaysWA">NOAA, [http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/htmlfiles/wa/wa.01.html Number of days with precipitation for Washington State weather stations] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111227164033/http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/htmlfiles/wa/wa.01.html |date=December 27, 2011 }}</ref>

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|3.65|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, all of it land.<ref name="Gazetteer files">{{cite web |title=US Gazetteer files 2010 |url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=December 19, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120702145235/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |archive-date=July 2, 2012 }}</ref>

{{Weather box 
|location = Forks, Washington (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1907–present)
|single line = Y
|collapsed = Y
|Jan record high F = 67
|Feb record high F = 75
|Mar record high F = 81
|Apr record high F = 85
|May record high F = 96
|Jun record high F = 110
|Jul record high F = 101
|Aug record high F = 102
|Sep record high F = 100
|Oct record high F = 88
|Nov record high F = 73
|Dec record high F = 65
|year record high F = 110
|Jan avg record high F = 55.4
|Feb avg record high F = 59.8
|Mar avg record high F = 66.0
|Apr avg record high F = 72.8
|May avg record high F = 81.2
|Jun avg record high F = 84.5
|Jul avg record high F = 88.2
|Aug avg record high F = 88.5
|Sep avg record high F = 83.6
|Oct avg record high F = 71.8
|Nov avg record high F = 58.6
|Dec avg record high F = 54.1
|year avg record high F = 93.0
|Jan high F = 46.9
|Feb high F = 49.9
|Mar high F = 53.3
|Apr high F = 58.7
|May high F = 64.5
|Jun high F = 68.0
|Jul high F = 73.1
|Aug high F = 74.0
|Sep high F = 70.1
|Oct high F = 60.0
|Nov high F = 50.6
|Dec high F = 45.6
|year high F = 59.6
|Jan mean F = 40.7
|Feb mean F = 42.0
|Mar mean F = 44.4
|Apr mean F = 48.3
|May mean F = 53.6
|Jun mean F = 57.5
|Jul mean F = 61.6
|Aug mean F = 62.3
|Sep mean F = 58.8
|Oct mean F = 51.2
|Nov mean F = 44.0
|Dec mean F = 39.8
|year mean F = 50.4
|Jan low F = 34.6
|Feb low F = 34.0
|Mar low F = 35.6
|Apr low F = 37.9
|May low F = 42.7
|Jun low F = 47.0
|Jul low F = 50.2
|Aug low F = 50.5
|Sep low F = 47.4
|Oct low F = 42.4
|Nov low F = 37.5
|Dec low F = 34.0
|year low F = 41.2
|Jan avg record low F = 23.3
|Feb avg record low F = 24.3
|Mar avg record low F = 26.6
|Apr avg record low F = 29.5
|May avg record low F = 33.5
|Jun avg record low F = 39.4
|Jul avg record low F = 42.9
|Aug avg record low F = 43.1
|Sep avg record low F = 38.0
|Oct avg record low F = 31.2
|Nov avg record low F = 25.2
|Dec avg record low F = 23.4
|year avg record low F = 19.8
|Jan record low F = 3
|Feb record low F = 8
|Mar record low F = 12
|Apr record low F = 21
|May record low F = 25
|Jun record low F = 30
|Jul record low F = 34
|Aug record low F = 34
|Sep record low F = 24
|Oct record low F = 21
|Nov record low F = 8
|Dec record low F = 3
|year record low F = 3
|precipitation colour=green
|Jan precipitation inch = 19.10
|Feb precipitation inch = 11.69
|Mar precipitation inch = 14.31
|Apr precipitation inch = 9.43
|May precipitation inch = 4.96
|Jun precipitation inch = 3.69
|Jul precipitation inch = 2.05
|Aug precipitation inch = 2.77
|Sep precipitation inch = 4.77
|Oct precipitation inch = 11.71
|Nov precipitation inch = 18.07
|Dec precipitation inch = 17.39
|year precipitation inch =

|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
|Jan precipitation days = 23.0
|Feb precipitation days = 20.2
|Mar precipitation days = 23.2
|Apr precipitation days = 20.4
|May precipitation days = 15.9
|Jun precipitation days = 15.7
|Jul precipitation days = 10.2
|Aug precipitation days = 9.4
|Sep precipitation days = 11.5
|Oct precipitation days = 18.7
|Nov precipitation days = 23.2
|Dec precipitation days = 23.7

|Jan snow inch = 3.1
|Feb snow inch = 1.3
|Mar snow inch = 0.5
|Apr snow inch = 0.1
|May snow inch = 0.0
|Jun snow inch = 0.0
|Jul snow inch = 0.0
|Aug snow inch = 0.0
|Sep snow inch = 0.0
|Oct snow inch = 0.0
|Nov snow inch = 1.0
|Dec snow inch = 1.9
|year snow inch =

|unit snow days = 0.1 in
|Jan snow days = 1.6
|Feb snow days = 0.9
|Mar snow days = 0.8
|Apr snow days = 0.2
|May snow days = 0.0
|Jun snow days = 0.0
|Jul snow days = 0.0
|Aug snow days = 0.0
|Sep snow days = 0.0
|Oct snow days = 0.0
|Nov snow days = 0.6
|Dec snow days = 1.0

|source 1 = NOAA<ref>
{{cite web
|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USC00452914&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
|title = U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: Forks 1 E, WA
|access-date = April 29, 2023
}}
</ref>
|source 2 = National Weather Service<ref name = NOWData>
{{cite web
|url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/climate?wfo=sew
|publisher = National Weather Service
|title = NOAA Online Weather Data – NWS Seattle
|access-date = April 29, 2023
}}
</ref>
}}

{{#section:Quillayute Airport|weather box}}

==Government==
The city is organized under Washington State law as a non-charter code city. Its structure is that of an elected mayor and a five-member elected city council. Unlike other cities on the Olympic Peninsula, Forks operates under what is called a "strong mayor" form of government with the mayor being the chief executive officer overseeing four department heads (clerk/treasurer, public works, police, and legal/planning).<ref>[http://www.forkswashington.org/ City of Forks Washington]</ref>

==Transportation==
[[File:Forks Airport.jpg|thumb|right|Aerial view of [[Forks Municipal Airport]]]]

The city is served by [[U.S. Route 101 in Washington|U.S. Route 101]], which connects the western Olympic Peninsula to [[Port Angeles, Washington|Port Angeles]], [[Olympia, Washington|Olympia]], and [[Aberdeen, Washington|Aberdeen]]. Another highway, [[Washington State Route 110|State Route 110]], connects Forks to [[La Push, Washington|La Push]] on the coast.<ref>{{cite WSDOT map |year=2014 |accessdate=July 7, 2025}}</ref>

[[Forks Municipal Airport]] {{Airport codes|||S18}} is located in Clallam County, {{convert|1|mi|km|1}} southwest of Forks. The airport has six based aircraft, including 3 single-engine aircraft and 3 helicopters. The latest available data indicate that the airport had a total of 13,550 annual operations. Runway 4-22 is Forks Municipal Airport's sole runway. This runway is {{convert|2400|ft|m}} long, {{convert|75|ft|m}} wide, is equipped with medium intensity runway lighting, and has an asphalt surface. Approaches to both ends of this runway are visual.<ref>[http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/NR/rdonlyres/94A8DA72-7A1F-4771-B0E1-3EB73A6932AA/0/OR_Forks.pdf Forks Municipal Airport]</ref>

Forks is served by two public transit agencies. [[Clallam Transit]] operates local service in Forks, including an on-demand [[microtransit]] system, as well as intercity routes to Port Angeles, [[La Push, Washington|La Push]], and [[Neah Bay, Washington|Neah Bay]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Clallam Transit Schedules & Information |date=January 2024 |pages=2, 5–7, 18 |url=https://irp.cdn-website.com/0eaf265e/files/uploaded/2024%20Schedule%20Book%20(8).pdf |publisher=[[Clallam Transit]] |accessdate=July 7, 2025}}</ref> The "Olympic Connection" bus, operated by [[Jefferson Transit (Washington)|Jefferson Transit]], travels between Fork and [[Lake Quinault]], where riders are able to transfer to [[Grays Harbor Transit]] buses to [[Aberdeen, Washington|Aberdeen]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Olympic Connection (Forks/Amanda Park) |url=https://www.jeffersontransit.com/168/Olympic-Connection-Forks-Amanda-Park |publisher=[[Jefferson Transit (Washington)|Jefferson Transit]] |accessdate=July 7, 2025}}</ref> The Olympic Connection was introduced in January 1995 to fill a {{convert|60|mi|km|adj=mid}} gap in transit service along the U.S. Route 101 corridor.<ref>{{cite news |last=Mosiman |first=Dean |date=September 22, 1994 |title=West End bus route to roll |page=A1 |work=Peninsula Daily News |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/peninsula-daily-news-west-end-bus-route/176183837/ |via=Newspapers.com |accessdate=July 7, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=January 22, 1995 |title=Peninsula officials inaugurate new bus route for West End |page=A3 |work=Peninsula Daily News |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/peninsula-daily-news-peninsula-officials/176183893/ |via=Newspapers.com |accessdate=July 7, 2025}}</ref>

==Media==
Newspapers serving Forks include the ''[[Peninsula Daily News]]'' and the weekly ''Forks Forum'', known as "the farthest west newspaper in the contiguous United States."<ref>{{cite web |title=Forks Forum - Sound Publishing |url=http://www.soundpublishing.com/titles/forks-forum/ |website=Sound Publishing Inc. |access-date=December 28, 2019}}</ref>

[[KBDB-FM]] 96.7, owned by Forks Broadcasting,<ref>{{cite web |title=KBDB-FM - FM Station Profile |url=https://publicfiles.fcc.gov/fm-profile/kbdb-fm |website=FCC Public Inspection Files |access-date=November 26, 2020}}</ref> is the only local commercial station serving the area. [[KNWU (FM)|KNWU]] 91.5,  a satellite station of [[Washington State University]]'s statewide [[Northwest Public Radio]] network, is the [[public radio]] station serving the area.

==Education==
Forks is a part of the [[Quillayute Valley School District]], with [[Forks High School]] being the community's high school. Forks is home to the [[University of Washington|University of Washington's]] Olympic Natural Resources Center.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.onrc.washington.edu/AboutUs/ |title=Olympic Natural Resources Center |website=www.onrc.washington.edu |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120617111603/http://www.onrc.washington.edu/AboutUs |archive-date=June 17, 2012}}</ref>

==Economy and tourism==
[[File:Forks timber museum.JPG|thumb|Forks Timber Museum]]
[[File:Twilight signs in Forks, Washington.JPG|thumb|Signs related to the ''Twilight'' book/movie series that is set in Forks]]

In 2003, an executive on the economic development council noted that 'Forks is going through a transition from a logging community to a tourist community'.<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal |last=Crowe |first=Jessica |date=January 2013 |title=THE TWILIGHT OF FORKS?: THE EFFECT OF SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE ON FILM TOURISM AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT IN FORKS, WA |url=http://journalofruralsocialsciences.org/pages/Articles/JRSS%202013%2028/1/JRSS%202013%2028%201%201-25.pdf |journal=Journal of Rural Social Sciences |volume=28 |pages=1–25}}</ref>

On the south end of town is the {{vanchor|Forks Timber Museum}}. Constructed in 1989 by the [[Forks High School]] carpentry class, the {{convert|3200|sqft|m2|adj=on}} building provides a look into the local history of the timber industry, loggers of the past, and their tools of the trade. The museum has exhibits depicting local history dating to the 1870s.<ref>[http://www.forks-web.com/fg/timbermuseum.htm Forks Timer Museum]</ref>

Forks serves as the hub for numerous day excursions to the [[Hoh Rainforest]], the Pacific Beaches, and various wilderness trails. Forks is well known for its winter [[Rainbow trout|steelhead]] fishing with the [[Quillayute River|Quillayute river system]] – the Hoh, Sol Duc, Bogachiel and Calawah rivers. Other nearby Clallam, Sekiu, and Hoko rivers are also good for king salmon fishing and steelheading as well. Local guides are available for both native and hatchery runs and for float trips. Fishing gear and clothing is available at local stores.

Another source of tourism is [[Stephenie Meyer]]'s [[Twilight (novel series)|''Twilight'' series]], which she set in the town after searching Google for rainy settings.<ref name=":1" /> Tours are available of locations that resemble the places described in Meyer's books. The majority of the films were not shot in Forks, though key scenes were shot in the town and surrounding area.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/stories/2009/04/20/story3.html |title=Foreign 'Twilight' fans alighting on Forks |newspaper=[[Puget Sound Business Journal]] |date=April 18, 2009 |first=Heidi |last=Dietrich}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/travel/destinations/2008-07-30-forks-twilight-tourism_N.htm |title='Twilight' fans pump new blood into Forks, Wash. |work=[[USA Today]] | date=July 30, 2008 | access-date=May 2, 2010 |first=Marc |last=Ramirez}}</ref>

In December 2005, 74 visitors signed the guest book at the Forks Visitor Center; after the release of the ''Twilight'' series this increased substantially, with 2540 visitors signing in to the center in December 2009.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/256153511|title=The Twilight of Forks? The effect of social infrastructure on film tourism and community development in Forks, WA|website=ResearchGate|language=en|access-date=July 31, 2019}}</ref> In July of that year, the number was 16,186.<ref name=":1" /> The average annual number of tourists visiting the town rose from 10,000 before ''Twilight'' to 19,000 in 2008, the year of the first film, and 73,000 by 2010.{{Citation needed|date=July 2019}}

==Tillicum Park==
[[File:Forks WA Shay Engine.JPG|thumb|left|Forks Shay Engine]]

Forks displays one of a few [[Shay locomotive|Shay engines]] remaining in Washington. Shay locomotives are unusual in that they have a crank shaft running down the side, powering all wheels. They were designed to be used to transport lumber out of forests. [[Rayonier]] #10 (c/n 3348) was built for stock by [[Lima Locomotive Works|Lima]] in 1930. It has three cylinders and three trucks. The Ozette Timber Company bought it 11 years later. In 1945 it was acquired by Rayonier for their lumber operation near Forks. It was retired near the north end of Forks in Tillicum Park in 1959.

The Forks Lions Club erected an attractive shelter over the #10 in 1999. It has also built and maintained most of the structures in the Shay Tillicum Park over the last 40 years.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://wasteam.railfan.net/parks.html |title=Washington Parks and Static Displays |access-date=September 2, 2007 |archive-date=May 16, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080516081326/http://wasteam.railfan.net/parks.html |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>Andrew Craig Magnuson [http://www.craigmagnuson.com/oldtrain.htm Lima 3-Truck Shay Forks, Clallam County, Washington]</ref><ref>[http://www.forks-web.com/fg/anglers.htm Anglers Paradise]</ref>

==Community events==

Rainfest, a celebration of the arts sponsored by the West Olympic Council for the Arts, occurs in April. It includes a combination of arts and craft related events. In recent years quilt classes and a quilt show have been sponsored by the Piece Makers Quilt Club.

In March of every year, the Quillayute Valley Scholarship Auction occurs. This annual fundraising event raises tens of thousands of dollars for scholarships. Since the first scholarship award in 1964, to Robert Henry (now D.D.S.), the committee has awarded over US$1m in scholarships to Forks students.

In the summer, Forks hosts its traditional "Old Fashioned Fourth of July" celebration with a Grand Fourth of July Parade. The numerous events include a demolition derby and fireworks display. July is also the month for [[Quileute]] Days at [[La Push, Washington|La Push]] with its parade, traditional salmon bake, bone games, softball tournament, canoe races, and street fair. In August, the Forks Family Festival combines arts and crafts vendors with children activities.

In late September, the Forks Chamber of Commerce partners with the [[Quileute people|Quileute Tribe]] and the City of Forks to host the Last Chance Fishing Derby at La Push; cash prizes are offered to those wanting to fish for salmon on the Pacific Ocean. The first week in October is when the community celebrates its heritage during Heritage Days. One of the more celebrated events during this week-long festival is the "Old Timers Round Table;" this is a moderated conversation broadcast live via the local radio station, featuring longtime residents of the region talking about days long past.

The Forks City Council passed a resolution in 2007 celebrating [[Stephenie Meyer]] Day in honor of the ''[[Twilight (novel series)|Twilight]]'' young adult novels and film series, set for September 13, the day of the fictional [[Bella Swan|Bella's]] birthday.<ref>{{Citation |url= http://www.historylink.org/File/8396 |title= Forks celebrates Stephenie Meyer Day on September 13, 2007 |first=Julie |last= Van Pelt |date= December 11, 2007 |website=[[HistoryLink]] }}</ref> In 2015 the event was still driving tourism, with visitor numbers peaking in 2010, then settling to 50% more than before the ''Twilight'' phenomenon.<ref>{{Citation |url= http://nwpr.org/post/ten-years-after-twilight-dawned-forks-still-mecca-vampire-fans |title=  Ten Years After 'Twilight' Dawned, Forks Still Mecca For Vampire Fans |first= Tom |last= Banse |date=September 14, 2015 |publisher=[[Northwest Public Radio]] }}</ref>
Stephenie Meyer Day has been replaced with the Forever Twilight in Forks Festival which is still celebrated annually on the week of September 13.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/entertainment/twilight-fans-gather-in-forks-this-weekend/ | title=Twilight fans gather in Forks this weekend | date=September 9, 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/news/collection-adds-more-to-upcoming-forever-twilight-in-forks-festival/ | title=Collection adds more to upcoming Forever Twilight in Forks festival | date=May 23, 2017 }}</ref> The festival includes a movie marathon, a blood drive, and dance lessons.<ref>[http://forkswa.com/ftffestival/ Forever Twilight in Forks Festival official website http://forkswa.com/ftffestival/]</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|United States}}
* [[Cape Flattery (Washington)|Cape Flattery]]
* [[Olympic Animal Sanctuary]] (2006–2013)
* [[Olympic Mountains]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
{{wikivoyage|Forks}}

* {{official website}}
* [http://www.forkswa.com/ Forks Chamber of Commerce]
 
{{Clallam County, Washington}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Forks, Washington}}
[[Category:Cities in Washington (state)]]
[[Category:Cities in Clallam County, Washington]]