Olympic National Forest &
Olympic Peninsula HikingTrails and Information

Olympic National Forest NATURE TRAILS

Nature trails on Olympic National Forest are short trails, usually less than one mile in length, that have signs interpreting unique resources, features and history of the Forest. Some but not all have easy to moderate grades that meet universal access standards (barrier-free).

Brown Creek Nature Trail makes a .8 mile loop around a beaver pond and is a great wildlife viewing area. The trailhead is located near the hand pump in Brown Creek Campground located in the South Fork Skokomish area. Interpretive signs discuss the wetland ecology and its associated wildlife. A Pass is NOT REQUIRED to park at the trailhead. The trail has an easy grade along the first half and difficult grades for universal access along the back-half. This trail has a compacted surface.

Hamma Hamma Living Legacy Nature Trail begins at Hamma Hamma Campground and makes a 1.2 mile loop up the hill, past a historic guard station built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). Signs with historic photos depict the early CCC history of the area.

From Highway 101, travel 6 miles on FS Road #25 to the campground. A Pass is NOT REQUIRED to park at the trailhead. The first quarter mile, to a nice view point and bench along the Hamma Hamma River, is an easy grade for universal access. The trail has a compacted surface.

Interrorem Nature Trail is a 1/4-mile loop trail that meanders through a lush forest with ferns, mosses and towering conifers. Signs interpret the historic Interrorem Cabin. Access the trail via Highway 101, turn onto Forest Service Road #2510 and travel 4 miles to the historic Interrorem Cabin. A Pass is REQUIRED to park at the trailhead. Entire trail is easy grade for universal access. Trail has compacted gravel surface.

Hikers enjoying a casual walk along the Interrorem Nature Trail that loops through a beautiful grove of conifers and lush ferns.

Native American Nature Trail is located at Seal Rock Campground. Trail begins at the day-use parking lot. Interpretive signs explain how Native Americans utilized the unique resources in the area, including cedar, shellfish and wild berries.

Travel Highway 101 to Seal Rock Campground, 10 miles south of Quilcene. After entering the campground, follow signs to the day-use parking lot and trailhead. A Pass is NOT REQUIRED to park at the trailhead. Entire trail is paved and has moderate grades for universal access.

Pioneer's Path Nature Trail makes a .6-mile loop through the lush forest in the Klahowya Campground. The campground is located 9 miles west of Lake Crescent on Highway 101. Interpretive signs explain how the pioneers carved out an existance along the Sol Duc River. A Pass is NOT REQUIRED to park at the trailhead. Entire trail had easy grades for universal access. Trail has a compacted gravel surface.

Quinault Rain Forest Nature Trail and Loop Trail offer great opportunities to explore the Olympic temperate rain forest. The short 1/2-mile Quinault Rain Forest Nature Trail features signs that teach about this complex ecosystem. The longer 4-mile loop trail is a great way to see more of the lush forest and Quinault Lake.

This is a great trail to watch for wildlife. The trailhead is located on the South Shore Road at Lake Quinault, 1.5 miles from Highway 101. A Pass is REQUIRED to park at the trailhead. SPECIAL NOTE: Passes are available at this trailhead. First eighth of a mile has moderate grades for universal access. Trail has a compacted gravel surface.

Tideland Ecology Nature Trail is located at Seal Rock Campground and has several interpretive signs with text and graphics that explain the interesting saltwater ecology of the Hood Canal. This short nature walk begins at the day-use parking lot in the campground and terminates at the rocky shoreline of Dabob Bay where visitors can explore the saltwater beach. Lots of facinating sea life to see when the tide is out. Travel Highway 101 to Seal Rock Camground, 10 miles south of Quilcene.

After entering Seal Rock Campground, follow signs to the day-use parking lot and trailhead. A Pass is NOT REQUIRED to park at trailhead. Trail is paved with some boardwalk.

Working Forest Nature Trail is a short loop located adjacent to the Coho Campground and features interpretive signs depicting the Forest Ecosystem, its various uses and the constant changes within the ecosystem. From the Nature Trail, the Wynoochee Lake Shore Trail, a 12-mile loop along the lake, provides opportunities for a longer hike with views of the lake. Traveling on State Route 12, turn north on the Wynoochee Valley Road (one mile west of Montesano). Travel approximately 35 miles (it becomes FS Road #22). At major intersection, turn left to stay on FS Road #22. Drive a short ways and turn right on FS Road #2294 and continue 1 mile to entrance to Coho Campground. Enter campground and drive to second intersection and turn left. Drive around the campground loop to the trailhead. Limited parking available. A Pass is NOT REQUIRED to park at trailhead. Do not park in a camp spur as they have a camping fee. Trail is steep at beginning and is difficult for universal access.

Trail has compacted surface.

Olympic National Forest DAY HIKES

Day hikes are trails that provide short hiking opportunities that can be completed in less than a day.

Big Creek Trail follows the perimeter of Big Creek Campground for 1.1 miles and crosses the creek in 2 locations. Travel 9 miles from Hoodsport on State Route 119, turn left on FS Road #24. Campground is 100 feet on right. Trailhead is 200 feet inside campground gate. A Pass is REQUIRED to park at trailhead.

Fallsview Canyon Trail winds down .6 miles from the Fallsview Campground to the Quilcene River. The campground is off Highway 101, 3.5 miles south of Quilcene. A Pass is NOT REQUIRED to park at trailhead.Lena Lake Trail is a popular day hike that gently winds 3 miles up to Lena Lake Campground. From Highway 101, travel 8 miles on FS Road #25 to the trailhead. A Pass is REQUIRED to park at trailhead.

Mt. Ellinor Trail is a more challenging dayhike with spectacular views and seasonal wildflowers. At 2.5 miles, the forest opens into an alpine meadow which is a good turn-around-point for day hikers. Beyond this point, only experienced climbers continue to the summit.

To reach the trailhead, follow State Route #119 for 9 miles from Hoodsport. Turn right on FS Road #24 and go 1.6 miles to FS Road #2419. Travel 4.9 miles to lower trailhead or 7.5 miles to upper trailhead on FS Road #2419-014.

A Pass is REQUIRED to park at trailhead.

Mt. Walker Trail steadily climbs 2 miles through a dense conifer forest with wild rhododendrons. At the top, the Mt. Walker viewpoint, which may also be reached by car, offers spectacular views of the Olympics, Mt. Rainier, and Hood Canal. Mt. Walker trailhead is located 1/4 mile past the entrance gate of FS Road #2730 which is off Highway 101, 5 miles south of Quilcene. A Pass is NOT REQUIRED to park at trailhead.

Murhut Falls Trail winds 0.8 miles to a viewing area of an impressive waterfall.

This moderately difficult trail offers glimpses of Jupiter Ridge through the tall trees. Take FS Rd. #2510 off Highway 101, 22 miles north of Hoodsport. Follow this road 6.2 miles to Road #2530. Turn right and travel another 1.3 miles to the trailhead on the right. A Pass is NOT REQUIRED to park at trailhead.

Ranger Hole Trail winds down through second-growth trees from the Interrorem Cabin to the Duckabush River, .8 miles beyond. The river contains swift water, rapids and waterfalls and is not floatable. To reach trailhead, travel FS Road #2510 for 4 miles from Highway 101 to the end of the pavement and turn into Interrorem Cabin site. Trailhead is on the right. A Pass is REQUIRED to park at trailhead.

South Fork Skokomish Trail meanders through majestic old growth forest along the South Fork Skokomish River for 15 miles to the Park boundary. This is a good place to see wildlife with resident deer and elk herds. Travel 6 miles north of Shelton on Highway 101 and turn west on the Skokomish Valley Road. Continue 5 miles to FS Road #23. Turn right and continue for 9 miles to FS Road #2353. Turn right onto FS Road #2353 and drive 1.0 mile to the trailhead. A Pass is REQUIRED to park at trailhead.

Spider Lake Trailoffers a two-mile loop hike around Spider lake. It meanders through old-growth trees, offering wildlife viewing opportunities. It follows a previously established historic trail built before the 1920's. To reach Spider Lake, take the Skokomish Valley Road off Highway 101 and travel 5 miles to FS Road #23.

Turn right and drive 16 miles to Spider Lake (below the road on left). A Pass is NOT REQUIRED to park at trailhead.

Spoon Creek Falls Trail is a short .3-mile walk to a viewpoint of picturesque Spoon Creek Falls. The viewpoint is at the base of the waterfall. Traveling on State Route 12, turn north on the Wynoochee Valley Road (one mile west of Montesano). Travel approximately 34 miles (it becomes FS Road #22) to FS Road #23. Turn right and continue on #23 for 3 miles to the trailhead (just past Spoon Creek). A Pass is NOT REQUIRED to park at trailhead.

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