Elbe Hills and Tahoma State Forests
   

 
 

Attention: Alerts and Closures 

 
There are no recreation alerts at this time. Please check back at this page for more information in the future.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Elbe Hills State Forest (22,140 acres in eastern Pierce County) and Tahoma State Forest (32,600 acres in Lewis County) are DNR-managed lands that provide sustainable revenue supporting trust land beneficiaries. Timber production, biomass byproducts, communication tower leases, and other activities in these forests help fund specific beneficiaries, such as county services, prisons, universities, and the construction of public K-12 grade schools throughout Washington.
 
Left nearly barren by timber harvesting techniques of the early 20th century, these lands have been revitalized into productive working forests and natural habitats through extensive efforts by DNR. Through land trades with private parties in the 1980s, DNR improved access to both of these forests, which flank the town of Elbe in the Nisqually River Valley near Mount Rainier.
 
Like other forested trust lands DNR manages, Elbe Hills and Tahoma state forests help sustain healthy, diverse forest habitats, revenue production for trust beneficiaries and an array of educational and recreational opportunities for the public.

Recreation

Elbe Hills and Tahoma State Forests provide a wide array of recreational opportunities. Trail systems for horseback riding and off-road vehicle riding are the foundation of recreation in Elbe Hills State Forest. Tahoma State Forest is a destination for winter activities, including cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. It has overnight accommodations at backcountry ski huts, one of which is accessed through Elbe Hills State Forest. The hut-to-hut trail system is also open to mountain biking and hiking in the summer.
 
Check out the Elbe Hills ORV Trail Systems and the Elbe Hills and Tahoma state forests trail maps, or download our georeferenced map to your smartphone using the Avenza PDF Maps Mobile app.
 
If printed maps are more your style, you can purchase one for $9 online or in person, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., from the Washington State Department of Printing, 7580 New Market Street St. SW, Tumwater, WA 98501.

Elbe Hills and Tahoma State Forests tips

  • To access sno-parks between November 1 and April 30, you'll need a Sno-Park Permit. You may either purchase a seasonal Sno-Park Permit or a one-day Sno-Park Permit.
  • There are 20 reservation sites available at Elbe Hills ORV Campground.
  • Stays are limited to 10 days in a 30-day period, except for Sahara Creek Campground, which is limited to 7 days in 30 days.
  • Dogs allowed in Elbe Hills and Tahoma state forests but must be kept on a leash. Horseback riders may bring unleashed dogs if they are controlled by voice command.
  • No dogs allowed at backcountry huts.
  • Dispersed camping, or camping outside of a designated campground, is allowed in Elbe Hills and Tahoma state forests. 
  • Be alert for other road users, ranging from heavy vehicles to bicycles, and check your speed accordingly.

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. There are 20 reservation sites available at Elbe Hills ORV Campground.
  • 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

Elbe Hills State Forest
Beaver Creek Trailhead
Beaver Creek Trailhead, in the Elbe Hill State Forest, provides visitors with access to the 40-mile Nicholson Horse trail system for horseback riding and hiking. There are also high lines for horses. Open dawn to dusk.
 
Directions: Start at Elbe. Go east on SR-706 for 6 miles. Turn left on 278 Street East. Continue 3.7 miles. and turn left. Go .1 mi. and turn left on first road. Go 1 mile and bear right, continue 1 mile. to trailhead on the left. Get directions. 
 
Eagle Crest Day Use Area
Eagle Crest is a backcountry picnic area accessed by the 40-mile Nicholson Horse Trail system, within Elbe Hills State Forest. The site features two picnic tables.
 
Directions: Hike in via the Memorial trailhead. Use directions for Memorial Trailhead.
 
Elbe Hills ORV Campground and Trailhead
 
The picnic shelter at Elbe Hills ORV Campground.
 
The picnic shelter and fireplace at the Elbe Hills ORV Campground.
 
This 20-site campground and nearby trailhead provide access to 13 miles of motorized trails in the Elbe Hills State Forest. It has five picnic tables, a shelter, and a toilet.
 
NOTE: Reservations Are Required - email elbehillsorvreservations@gmail.com
  • Reservations are available with a minimum of three days' and a maximum of three months' notice. Requests outside of those parameters will not be considered.
  • Reservations are not available over state holiday weekends. All campsites are open on a first-come, first-served basis from the Thursday before the holiday until the Monday after the holiday.
  • The second weekend of every month (April-October) is reserved for Elbe Hills Off-Road Trails Team volunteers for the monthly work parties.
  • All vehicles and trailers must have valid registration.
  • All licensed motor vehicles must display a Discover Pass to camp in Elbe Hills ORV Campgrounds. (Towed trailers do not require a Discover Pass to be displayed.)
  • Stay limit is seven days in a 30-day period.
     
  • When making a reservation, please send the following information in the email
    • First and last names
    • Phone number
    • Start and end dates of reservation
    • Site number requested
    • Total number of vehicles
    • Total number of campers
    • Primary vehicle license plate and state
    • Primary vehicle Discover Pass number
    • ORV/Equine/Camping status
    • It can take up to 48 hours to process a request.
 
High Point Day-Use Area
High Point is a backcountry picnic area located in the 40-mile Nicholson Horse Trail System within the Elbe Hills State Forest. The site features a hitching post and two picnic tables.
 
Directions: Hike in via the North Point Trailhead. Use directions for North Point.
 
Jenny's Junction Day-Use Area 
A picnic table awaits horseback riders and hikers visiting the 40-mile Nicholson Horse Trail System in the Elbe Hills State Forest.
 
Directions: There is no vehicle access to this day use site. Access via the Memorial or Beaver Creek trailheads.  
 
Memorial Trailhead
Memorial Trailhead, in the Elbe Hills State Forest, provides day-use visitors access to the Nicholson Horse Trail system, which has beautiful views of Mount Rainier. Trailhead has high lines available for horses and rustic restrooms. Note: Gates 503 and 511 are closed from September 1 to March 15.
 
Directions: Start at Elbe, take DNR 5 Road, from state Route 7, continue 1.5 miles, bear left to trailhead entrance, .1 mile. High lines available for horses.
 
Recreation alert: Memorial Trailhead Use Area is closed and inaccessible by vehicle due to seasonal closure of the DNR 5 Road from September 1 - March 15. 
 
North Point Day-Use Area
North Point is a backcountry picnic area located in the 40-mile Nicholson Horse Trail System within Elbe State Forest. The site features two picnic tables and a fire ring.
 
Directions: At the western edge of Elbe, turn north onto the 5 Road and pass through the 511 Gate. Follow for about 5 miles to North Point. Trailhead located on the left at the 5/59 road junction. Note: Gates 503 and 511 closed September 1 to March 15.
 
Recreation alert: North Point Day Use Area is closed and inaccessible by vehicle due to seasonal closure of the DNR 5 Road from September 1 - March 15. 
 
 
Sahara Creek Camp
 
Picnic tables at Sahara Creek Horse Camp.
 
Picnic Tables at Sahara Creek Horse Camp.
 
Sahara Creek Horse Camp, located close to Rainier National Park, is a forested setting fit to accommodate horses. Provides access to the Nicholson Horse Trail System with day use parking. Campground has 30 campsites, picnic tables, hitching rails, and vault toilets.
 
Camping in Sahara Creek Horse Camp by reservation only. Email saharacreekcampreservations@gmail.com to make a reservation. Note: Stays in Sahara Creek Camp are limited to 7 days in a 30-day period.
 
Reservations are available with a minimum of 3 DAYS and a maximum of 3 MONTHS notice. Requests outside of those parameters will not be considered. Reservations are not available over state holiday weekends. All campsites will be open the Thursday before until the Monday after a holiday on a first-come, first-served basis. All motor vehicles and trailers must have valid DOL registration. Each licensed motor vehicle must display a Discover Pass to camp in Sahara Creek Campground (towed trailers do not require a Discover Pass to be displayed). Sites 1-20 are equestrian camping only. Sites 21-30 are open to all non-ORV campers (equestrian campers included). Site 28 is a designated ADA campsite which requires a differently-abled DOL placard to camp in. View the map here.
 
Receiving a reservation confirmation may take up to 48 hours. When sending an email for a reservation request, please include the following information: first and last name(s), phone number, start and end dates of reservation, site number(s) requested, total number of vehicles, total number of campers, primary vehicle license plate number and state, primary vehicle Discover Pass number.
 
Directions: Start at Elbe. Go east on SR-706 for 5.3 miles. The campground is on the north side of the highway. Get directions.
 
Recreation alert: The Diamond Loop Trail will be closed until further notice due to land management activity occurring over the trail. 
 
Recreation alert: The Cedar Bridge over Sahara Creek on the Upper Elkspur Trail in the Elbe Hills State Forest will be closed until further notice due to scouring of the bridge abutment by the Creek. Riders may continue to cross Sahara Creek at the ford crossing just to the South of the bridge. Because this ford crossing is available, the affected portion of the Upper Elkspur Trail will remain open.
 
Valley View Day Use Area
Two picnic tables, a toilet and hitching posts await horseback riders and hikers visiting the 40-mile Nicholson Horse Trail System in the Elbe Hills State Forest. 
 
Directions: There is no vehicle access to this day use site. Access via the Memorial or Beaver Creek trailheads. 
 
Woodpecker Point Day Use Area
Woodpecker Point is a day-use picnic area within the 40-mile Nicholson Horse Trail System. The site features four picnic tables.
 
Directions: Go west on Highway 706 from Elbe. Turn right on the 5 Road (gate 511 closed from September 1 to March 15). The site is on your right.
 
92- Road Sno-Park
Located in the Elbe Hills State Forest at 3,300 feet, the 92 Road Sno-Park provides access to winter activities in the Mount Tahoma Trail system. Sno-park provides opportunities for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Hiking and mountain biking is available in the summer. The parking lot has 30 spaces. Toilet available near the parking area.
  • To park at Sno-Parks on DNR-managed land between November 1 and April 30, you'll need a Sno-Park Permit.
Directions: Head east from Elbe on Highway 706 east to 278 Street East north for .5 mile. Continue 5 miles north on Roads 8, 9 and 92 to the parking area.
 
Tahoma State Forest
 
Anderson Lake Camp
This single campsite is located just above the 3,870-foot elevation Anderson Lake. Amenities include a picnic table, fire ring and outhouse. Access to the campsite is by walk-in or individual vehicle drive-in. No trailers allowed due to the lack of turn around space on the narrow, steep access road. 
  • NOTE: Reservations are required. Please call 360-825-1631 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Directions: Start at Elbe. Go east on SR-706 for 6.47 miles. Turn right on the DNR 1 Road (just before the Faith Baptist Church). Go 2.6 miles. Turn left at the t-intersection. Go 0.42 miles. Turn right at the t-intersection. Go 3.24 miles. Turn right at the split. You will encounter a gate (reservation needed), go through the gate. Go 2.35 miles. Keep left. Go 0.06 miles. Keep right. Go 0.05 miles. Veer left downhill. Continue 0.5 miles. Destination at dead end.
 
1 Road Sno-Park
Located at 2,360 feet, the 1 Road Sno-Park provides cross-country skier and snowshoe access to Mount Tahoma trail system from the Tahoma State Forest. The location of the 1 Road Sno-Park moves depending on the snow level. If there is a lot of snow and the gate to the upper area is locked, then use the lower Sno-park at 2,360 feet elevation. If there is less snow and the gate to the upper area is open, then head farther up the road to the Upper 1 Road Sno-Park at 3,000-feet elevation. Toilet available near the parking area.
  • To park at sno-parks on DNR-managed land between November 1 and April 30, you'll need a Sno-Park Permit.
Directions: Take Hwy 706 east from Elbe 6.5 miles.  Turn right to enter the Tahoma State Forest on DNR 1 Road (at the yellow church).  Follow the forest road for 2.7 miles, turning left to continue on 1 Road. Follow .4 miles and turn right.  Follow the remaining 2.9 miles to the 1 Road Sno-Park.
 
Mount Tahoma Ski Huts
 
Three huts and a yurt make up the Mount Tahoma Ski Huts, managed by the Mount Tahoma Trails Association. Access the huts from the 50-mile Mount Tahoma trail system, which provides unparalleled views of the Cascade Range and Mount Rainier. Ski huts include the Yurt, Copper Creek Hut, Bruni's Snow Bowl Hut, and High Hut. Restrooms are available at huts.
  • Huts are open to the public for day trips from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Overnight stays are available by reservation through the Mount Tahoma Trails Association (MTTA). Get up-to-date information and make reservations here: https://skimtta.org/. You can also email mtta@skimtta.com for more information.
  • Dogs are not allowed in the huts and should be on a leash or under voice control on trails at all times. No dogs are allowed in MTTA's north district, which includes Copper Creek Hut. The north district is located in the Mount Rainier Gateway Forest, a wildlife preserve. Service animals per the Americans with Disabilities Act are allowed. 
  • To park at Sno-Parks on DNR-managed land between November 1 and April 30, you'll need a Sno-Park Permit.
Directions: Follow directions for 1 Road Sno-Park. Huts are signed.