Green Mountain and Tahuya State Forest
   

 
 

Attention: Alerts and Closures

 
Recreation alert: Portions of Howell Lake Loop Trail are temporarily closed due to a bridge being washed out during recent rain events.
 
Recreation alert: Due to forest management operations, portions of the following trails are temporarily closed: Overland, Randy’s H2O Stop, Howell Lake,1.9 Mile and Derailleur.
 
Recreation alert: The Little Wrangler, School and Plumb Bob timber sales will temporarily affect access to recreation trails and sites in the Tahuya State Forest and Key Pen Parks. 
 
 
 
 

Color Photo of 2 healthy bucks blend in with brush and rhododendrons

 
The two state forests of Tahuya (23,000 acres in Mason County), and Green Mountain (6,000 acres in Kitsap County) are part of an extensive network of working forest lands managed by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to provide sustainable revenue for public services. Timber production, communication tower leases, and other activities in these forests help fund local county services, state universities, and the construction of public K-12 grade schools throughout Washington.
 
While both are popular destinations for those seeking diverse recreation opportunities, including motorized off-road and equestrian trail riding, the Green Mountain and Tahuya state forests are undeveloped working lands that provide habitat for native plants and animals, water retention and water quality benefits, in addition to income for trust land beneficiaries.

Recreation

Located in Mason and Kitsap counties, Tahuya and Green Mountain State Forests offer a variety of recreational opportunities. Tahuya State Forest is popular for off-road vehicle riding and hiking, trail running, mountain biking, horseback riding, fishing, and hunting and has about 84 miles of trails for visitors to enjoy. Green Mountain State Forest, with 16 miles of trail, is a popular area for day-use picnic and provides opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and motorcycle riding. Each year more than 150,000 recreationists visit Green Mountain State Forest, while Tahuya State Forest draws 200,000 visitors. 

Green Mountain and Tahuya State Forests Tips

  • Dispersed camping, or camping outside of a designated campground, is not allowed.
  • The camping stay limit is 5 consecutive days, 15 total days per calendar year.
  • Tahuya River Horse Camp is only open for weekend camping from Memorial Day to Labor Day
  • Quiet hours are from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
  • Dogs are allowed in Green Mountain and Tahuya but must be kept on a leash. Horseback riders may bring unleashed dogs if they are controlled by voice command.
  • Day use fishing sites are open for fishing from April 15 to October 30.
  • Be alert for other road users, ranging from heavy vehicles to bicycles, and check your speed accordingly.
  • Stay on designated trails. Trails are marked with colored diamonds.
    • White: Single-track trail
    • Yellow: Two-track trail
    • Purple: 4x4 trail
Target Shooting
The Shoofly Pit in Tahuya State Forest closed to shooting in February 2019. Please do not target shoot in areas with signage stating that shooting is not allowed. The Onion Pit in Green Mountain State Forest is also closed to target shooting.
 
DNR has identified three alternative target shooting areas:
  1. USFS 2480 Rd (a); 47.572702, -123.082293
  2. USFS 2480 Rd (b); 47.539307, -123.096457
  3. USFS 24 Rd; 47.524528, -123.105105
Click the "Start" button below to view the alternative target shooting sites on our interactive map.
 

View map full screen

 
DNR is continuing to work with area residents, target shooters, and law enforcement to identify and develop shooting areas that meet the needs of local user groups, residents, and the Department.
 
Target Shooting Rules and Regulations
Target shooting is permitted on DNR-managed lands where it can occur in compliance with the rules outlined in the Washington Administrative Code regarding target shooting.
 
Trail Maps
View a trail map of the Green Mountain State Forest. For enlarged maps, view our east and west Green Mountain State Forest maps. Or, view a trail map of the Tahuya State Forest with enlarged eastern and western Tahuya State Forest trail maps.

Other tips for your visit

  • Don’t forget your Discover Pass! Learn more about it at DiscoverPass.wa.gov
  • Campsites are available first-come, first-served at no additional cost with the purchase of a Discover Pass.
  • Enjoy a campfire in approved fire pits in designated campgrounds only. Always check for burn restrictions before lighting a campfire. 
  • Don't Move Firewood. Help protect Pacific Northwest forests by preventing the spread of invasive species. Firewood can carry insects and diseases that can threaten the health of our western forests. Please purchase firewood near your campsite. Find more information here.

Leave No Trace

For your safety and the safety of our wildlife, please follow the seven principles of Leave No Trace. You can brush up on them here. Food and garbage that is left behind or improperly disposed of can attract wildlife and create potentially dangerous situations for visitors. Please pack out all food items and garbage. NEVER feed wildlife.

Recreation Sites

Green Mountain State Forest
 
Gold Creek Trailhead
Gold Creek Trail, in Green Mountain State Forest, ascends through forested land and meadows. Hikers can continue on Vista Trail and up around a beaver pond.
 
Directions: Turn right on Holly Road from Seabeck Highway and continue 2.2 miles. Turn left on Tahuya Lake Road NW. Go 1.3 miles. Turn left on Gold Creek Road. Go 1.6 miles to site entrance on left. Get directions. 
 
Green Mountain Horse Camp
This campground is open for drive in access on weekends from Memorial Day through Labor Day. The campground is open to non-motorized day-use access the rest of the year.
 
Green Mountain Horse Camp offers access to 13 miles of trails for horseback riding, mountain biking, fishing, hunting, and camping. Vehicle access to this site is not available year-round. Green Mountain Horse Camp is open for camping on weekends only, from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Campsites can accommodate up to a 25-foot trailer, though size may vary by site.
 
Directions: Follow Green Mountain Vista directions to the junction. Turn left and go .9 miles to camp.
 
Green Mountain Vista
Green Mountain is the second-highest peak on the Kitsap Peninsula at 1,639 feet elevation. It has views of the Puget Sound, the Olympic Mountains, the Seattle skyline, and Mount Rainier. Vehicle access to this site is not available year-round.
 
Directions: Follow Wildcat Trailhead directions. Continue west on Holly Road. 2.2 miles. Turn left on Tahuya Lake Road NW. Go .9 miles to and turn left on Green Mountain Road. Go 2.7 miles to the junction. Turn right 1.3 miles to vista.
 
Wildcat Trailhead
Green Mountain State Forest’s Wildcat Trail is a steep trail that follows a road formerly used for timber harvest access through many plant varieties. As the trail ascends look for views of the surrounding area.
 
Directions: Start south of Silverdale on SR-3. Go west on Newberry Hill Road for 3.1 miles. Turn left on Seabeck Highway and go 2 miles. Turn right on Holly Road. Go 1.8 miles to the entrance on left. Day-use only.
 
Tahuya State Forest
 
Recreation alert: Portions of Howell Lake Loop Trail are temporarily closed due to a bridge being washed out during recent rain events.
 
Recreation alert: Due to forest management operations, portions of the following trails are temporarily closed: Overland, 1.9 Mile and Derailleur. 
 
Mission Creek Trailhead
This trailhead in the Tahuya State Forest provides access to single and two-track trunk trails, including Mission Creek, Stoffer Trail, and Tahuya River Trail.
 
Directions: Start in Belfair. Take SR-300 for 3.5 miles. Turn right on Belfair-Tahuya Road. Go 1.1 mile. Trailhead is on right. Get directions. 
 
Howell Lake
Howell Lake, in Tahuya State Forest, has fishing, swimming, and picnicking opportunities. The site is open for day use only, with non-motorized access year round and gates open during fishing season from April 15 - October 31.
 
Directions: Start in Belfair. Take SR-300 for 3.5 miles. Turn right on Belfair-Tahuya Road. Go 5.5 miles. The site is on left. Get directions.
 
Elfendahl Pass Staging Area
Elfendahl Pass Staging Area is a main trail access point to miles of trail for both motorized and non-motorized recreationists. It has about 50 day-use parking stalls. Can accommodate up to a 35-foot trailer, though size may vary by site. 
 
Directions: From Belfair, take SR-300 for 3.5 miles. Turn right on Belfair-Tahuya Road and go 1.9 miles. Turn right on Elfendahl Pass Road and go 2.3 miles. Trailhead is on right. Get directions. 
 
Kammenga Canyon
This primarily motorized and rustic campground is located near the Tahuya River and the Tahuya River Trail. Campsites can accommodate up to a 30-foot trailer, though size may vary by site. 
 
Directions: From Elfendahl Pass Staging Area, continue north on Elfendahl Pass Road for .6 miles. Turn left and go .1 mile. The site is on left.
 
4x4 Trailhead
This trailhead provides visitors access to the only exclusively 4x4-designated trailhead in Tahuya State Forest. The trail takes visitors through 7 miles of 4x4 obstacles and adventure.
 
Directions: Start in Belfair. Take SR-300 for 3.5 miles. Turn right on Belfair-Tahuya Road. Go 1.9 miles. Turn right on Elfendahl Pass Road. Go 2.3 miles. Trailhead is on left.
 
Tahuya River Horse Camp
This campground is open for drive in access on weekends from Memorial Day through Labor Day. The campground is open to non-motorized day-use access the rest of the year.
 
Located near the Tahuya River, Tahuya River Horse Camp is a popular destination for horseback riders. Vehicle access to this site is not available year-round. Tahuya River Horse Camp is open for camping on weekends only, from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. This area is for non-motorized camping, as there is no access to ORV trails from the campground. Campsites can accommodate up to a 30-foot trailer, though size may vary by site. Please be respectful of other campers and refrain from off-road-vehicle riding in the campground.
 
Directions: Take State Route 300 westbound from Belfair. Turn right on  Belfair Tahuya Road. Turn right on Elfendahl Pass Road, go approximately 4.3 miles turn left on Goat Ranch Forest Road and continue into Tahuya River Horse Camp.
 
Camp Spilman
This year-round recreation site, located near Belfair in the Tahuya State Forest, offers access to more than 200 miles of multi-use, single-track, deep-wooded trails. Campsites can accommodate up to a 30-foot RV, though size may vary by site. 
 
Directions: Start in Belfair. Take SR-300 for 3.5 miles. Turn right on Belfair-Tahuya Road. Go 1.9 miles. Turn right on Elfendahl Pass Road. Go 2.6 miles. Turn left on Goat Ranch Road. Go .7 miles. Site is on right. Get directions.
 
Sand Hill
Sand Hill Trailhead is a popular take-off point for exploring trail systems in the eastern half of Tahuya State Forest.
 
Directions: From Belfair, go west on SR-3. Turn right on Sandhill Road and go north about 2.8 miles. Trailhead is on your left just north of Sand Hill Pit.
 
Twin Lakes
Twin Lakes offers picnicking, boating, fishing, swimming and viewing near a forested lake. The site has connections to the Tahuya State Forest trail system, including the single track Twin Lakes trail. The site is open for day use only, with non-motorized access year round and gates open during fishing season from April 15 - October 31.
 
Directions: From the Belfair-Tahuya Road go past Elfendahl Pass Road. Turn right on Haven Way at the "Y." Go about .8 miles, turn right on Bennettson Lake Road. Turn right at the "T" on the Twin Lakes Road. Turn left to lake access.
 
Don Lake
Don Lake is a day-use site in the Tahuya State Forest popular for fishing and launching small boats. Don Lake is open from April 15 - October 31.
 
Directions: From Belfair take SR-300, turn right on NE Belfair Tahuya Road and go 7 miles. Turn right on Dewatto Bay Road and go 2 miles. Turn left on NE Hahobas Way for .5 miles, stay left at the "Y" and travel .3 miles. Turn left to access the lake. Get directions.
 
Aldrich Lake
In the Tahuya State Forest, this site is the perfect spot to boat or fish. The site is open for day use only, with non-motorized access year round and gates open during fishing season from April 15 - October 31.
 
Directions: From Belfair take SR-300 for 3.5 miles. Turn right on Belfair-Tahuya Road. Go 7.7 miles. Turn right on Tee Lake-Dewatto Road. Go 2.3 miles. Turn left on Hahobas Way. Stay right for 1.6 miles to the site.
 
Robbins Lake
Robbins Lake, located in the West Tahuya Block, offers visitors a beautiful setting to fish, canoe, or kayak. Robbins Lake is open from April 15 - October 31.
 
Directions: See directions for Aldrich Lake. From Tee Lake-Dewatto Road and Hahobas Way junction, go .7 miles on Hahobas Way. Turn left at Aldrich/Robbins junction. Go .9 miles. Turn right. Go .2 miles to the site.
 
Surrounding Area
 
Lilliwaup Creek
Lilliwaup Creek is located in the Hood Canal State Forest near Lake Cushman. This site is currently closed.
 

Melbourne Lake
Melbourne Lake is a day-use site located near Melbourne Lake. The lake is great for fishing and boating. It is gated year round, with non-motorized access via roads allowed for day-use year-round.  
 
Directions: Melbourne Lake is located in the Hood Canal State Forest, northeast of Lake Cushman. Follow US HWY 101 to Jorsted Creek Rd/USFS 24. Follow USFS 24 for 5.2 miles to gate 2420, which is closed to motorized traffic. Walk 4.1 miles to Melbourne lake, staying right at all intersections. Melbourne Lake is Day Use Only: No Camping.
 

Other Recreation Opportunities

You'll also find low-impact recreation opportunities at the nearby Kennedy Creek Natural Area Preserve. Use our statewide interactive recreation map to find recreation opportunities near you.