Quilcene, Washington

Quilcene, Washington
Nickname: 
"Pearl of the Peninsula"
Location of Quilcene, Washington
Coordinates: 47°45′35″N 122°53′07″W / 47.75972°N 122.88528°W / 47.75972; -122.88528
CountryUnited States
StateWashington
CountyJefferson
Area
  Total
9.2 sq mi (23.8 km2)
  Land8.8 sq mi (22.8 km2)
  Water0.4 sq mi (1.0 km2)
Elevation
427 ft (130 m)
Population
 (2020)
  Total
598
  Density65/sq mi (25/km2)
Time zoneUTC-8 (Pacific (PST))
  Summer (DST)UTC-7 (PDT)
ZIP code
98376
Area code360
FIPS code53-56975
GNIS feature ID2409117

Quilcene is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Jefferson County, Washington, United States. The population was 598 at the 2020 census.

The community is located on the Olympic Peninsula at the head of Quilcene Bay, an arm of the seawater-filled glacial valley of Hood Canal. Each year many visitors enjoy the panoramic views of Mount Rainier, Puget Sound and Seattle from the 2,804-foot (855 m) summit of nearby Mount Walker, the only peak facing Puget Sound that has a road to its summit. The Olympic National Forest lands in Quilcene hold Douglas fir, spring-blooming Pacific rhododendrons, Oregon grape, and salal. Leland Lake is located north of Quilcene.

Quilcene oysters are named after the community. Quilcene has one of the largest oyster hatcheries in the world.