Pacific Cascade Region Recreation Information
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Pacific Cascade Region Recreation Information 
Pacific Cascade Region location map 


DNR’s Pacific Cascade Region stretches from the Pacific Ocean to the Cascade Range and includes more than 500,000 acres of DNR-managed land. Unique to the region are the scenic Columbia River Gorge, infamous Mt. St. Helens volcano, numerous DNR natural preserves and natural resources conservation areas. Recreation in this region occurs primarily in the Capitol State Forest and the Yacolt Burn State Forest with many recreation sites that include campgrounds, trailheads, day-use areas, and a several hundred miles of recreation trails.  
 

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Updated:  May 2, 2012

Find out which recreation sites in the Pacific Cascade Region are open or closed...and more. Select one of the following links:

Major DNR Recreation Sites:

Recreation Areas by County

 

Please note: DNR may close a recreational facility or trail either temporarily or permanently for the purposes of protecting the environment, public safety, property, or to ensure DNR meets its management and administrative obligations. (Learn more | WAC 332-52-100

Pets
Pets are allowed on department-managed lands, except in areas that are closed to pets or animals for the protection of wildlife, sensitive natural systems, special cultural areas, or for other purposes. All pets must be on leash. If pets are accompanying livestock, they can be off leash but must be voice controlled. (Learn more | WAC 332-52-140)

Capitol State Forest (Grays Harbor & Thurston Counties)

Attention: Due to storm washouts DNR has closed the C 8000 road at Potoi Creek approximately three miles north of the Noshka County road. The North Rim trail is closed at Mt .Molly Loop/Trail #30 and the Waddell Loop North Rim trail intersection.

For safety and environmental protection, the former bridge crossing at C 8000 needs to remain closed. Please do not attempt to enter the Salmon stream in the closure area.

DNR plans to have a new bridge installed by the summer of 2012. For questions, please contact Phil Wolff at 360.902.1435. 

Recreation AreaStatusAdditional Information
CAPITOL STATE FORESTNOTE: Camping outside of designated campsites is not allowed in Capitol State Forest.

Learn more about recreation in Capitol State Forest

CAUTION! Timber harvest activities occur throughout the forest. 

-- Maximum stay length at campgrounds is 7 days every 365 days

-- All trails are open to foot traffic year round.

-- Mountain bikes OK year round except for McLane Creek.

Capitol Forest Motorized TrailsOpen 

-- Closed seasonally from Dec. 1 to April 30

Capitol Forest Non-motorized TrailsOpen                                             

-- Closed to equestrian use Dec. 1 to April 30.

Fall Creek CampgroundOpen  

-- Closed seasonally from Dec. 1 to April 30

Fall Creek TrailheadOpen    
Margaret McKenny CampgroundOpen 

-- Closed seasonally from Dec. 1 to April 30

Margaret McKenny TrailheadOpen 

-- Closed seasonally from Dec. 1 to April 30

McLane Creek day-use areaOpen

-- Permit required for groups of 25 or more. Call 360-596-5145.

-- Closes at dusk.

Middle Waddell CampgroundOpen 

-- Closed seasonally from Dec. 1 to April 30

Middle Waddell TrailheadOpen  

-- Closed seasonally from Dec. 1 to April 30

Mima Falls CampgroundOpen 

-- Closed seasonally from Dec. 1 to April 30

Mima Falls TrailheadOpen 

 

Mima Mounds Interpretive CenterOpen

-- Permit required for groups of 25 or more. Call 360-596-5144.

-- No pets.

North Creek CampgroundOpen 

-- Closed seasonally from Dec. 1 to April 30

Porter Creek CampgroundClosed

-- Reopens May 23, 2012

Rock Candy TrailheadOpen 

-- Closed seasonally from Dec. 1 to April 30

Sherman Valley CampgroundOpen 

-- Closed seasonally from Dec. 1 to April 30

 YACOLT BURN STATE FOREST (Clark & Skamania Counties)

Recreation AreaStatusAdditional Information
YACOLT BURN STATE FOREST

--Travel advisory April - August 2012: Traffic to Yacolt Burn State Forest may be affected by chip seal and paving operations on the L-1400 and L-1000 roads. Expect some delays of no more than 30 minutes at a time. View project map.

--Organized events of more than 25 people require a recreation permit. Call 360-577-2025.

--CAUTION: Timber harvest activities occur throughout the forest. For safey reasons, areas or gates may be closed without notice.

--Campfires outside of designate fire rings are not permitted.

-- ORVs permitted on open gravel forest roads. Please yield to all traffic.

Cold Creek CampgroundOpen

-- Maximum stay length: 7 days every 60 days

Cold Creek Day-use AreaOpen
Dougan Falls CampgroundOpen

-- Maximum stay length: 7 days every 60 days

Dougan Falls Picnic AreaOpenPark in designated areas only.
Jones Creek TrailheadOpen
Jones Creek Motorized TrailsOpen

-- Trails are closed seasonally from Dec. 1 - April 30.

-- Note: Baz gate is subject to closure at any time.

Rock Creek CampgroundOpen -- Maximum stay length: 7 days every 60 days
Tarbell TrailheadOpen
Tarbell /Bells Mountain Trail SystemOpen*

ALERT:Trail detour in effect due to timber harvest activities. Trail bridge is also out until further notice. Tarbell is closed from mile post 15 to mile post 17. Refer to trail map for location. Please follow signs and flagging indicating trail detour for your safety.

 *ALERT: Bells Mountain Trail closed temporarily during the week due to timber harvest activity around Mile #4. Trails are open on weekends.

Three Corner Rock TrailheadOpen*ALERT. Bridge out. Please access trail from W2000 road crossing and yield to all traffic.
Three Corner Rock TrailOpen-- Some snow may still be present on trails and roads at higher elevations.

 ClarK COUNTY

Recreation AreaStatusAdditional Information
Mitchell Peak Trailhead — Southern trailheadOpen
Mitchell Peak Trailhead — Northern trailheadCLOSEDAccess to the trailhead is currently not available due to private landowner gate on 10 Road.
Mitchell Peak TrailOpen-- Some snow may still be present on trails and roads at higher elevations.

Yacolt Burn State Forest

 CowlitZ COUNTY 

Recreation AreaStatus Additional Information
Merrill Lake Campground Open

-- Maximum stay length: 3 days every 30 days

-- Some snow may still be present on trails and roads at higher elevations.

 Grays HarboR COUNTY 

Recreation AreaStatusAdditional Information
Chehalis River Surge Plain
Parking & Trail
Open

No pets.

 

Capitol State Forest

 LEWIS COUNTY 

Recreation AreaStatusAdditional Information
Winston Creek CampgroundOpenReservation only. Call region office at 360-577-2025.

 Pacific county

Recreation AreaStatusAdditional Information
Snag Lake CampgroundOpen-- Walk-in camping only
Tunerville CampgroundOpen
Western Lakes CampgroundOpen

 Skamania County

Recreation AreaStatusAdditional Information

Yacolt Burn State Forest

 Thurston county

Recreation AreaStatusAdditional Information
Chehalis Western Trail & TrailheadSee message >>The DNR-managed section of the trail has been transferred to Thurston County Parks. Visit Thurston County's Chehalis Western Trail web page for more information.
Woodard Bay Natural Resources Conservation AreaOpen

-- No pets.

-- Overlook Trail closed from March 15 - August 15 to protect sensitive wildlife.

-- Canoe launch open April 15 - Labor Day.

Capitol State Forest

 WahkiakuM COUNTY

Recreation AreaStatusAdditional Information
Bradley Hills Trailhead & TrailsOpen

-- Day use only.

-- No camping.

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