Although the Quillayute is one of the main rivers on the Olympic Peninsula and has a large drainage area, due to an unusual naming arrangement it is officially very short, being only about 4 miles (6.4 km) long.

Presently the natives live at the town of La Push on their small treaty reservation which adjoins the south shore of the river at the mouth.

The final 2 to 3 miles (3.2 to 4.8 km) at the mouth of the Quillayute pass through the narrow coastal strip of the Olympic National Park.

Park roads lead to the Mora Campground and Rialto Beach recreation area on the north side of the Quillayute.

There are camping and picnicking facilities, public parking, and trailhead access to the coastal wilderness strip north of the river.