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.
Updated: January 22, 2010
Find out which recreation sites in the Pacific Cascade Region are open or closed...and more. Select one of the following links:
Please note: Due to budget constraints, DNR has reduced services at many recreation facilities. There may not be amenities such as outhouses, picnic tables, signs, or garbage service. Some gates may be locked, but the public is welcome to access the areas on foot. Please pack out what you pack in. For updated information, go to a recreation site on this page, or download a map of Washington state that shows reduced services or other restrictions.> Map of reduced services (690 KB PDF)
> Map of reduced services (1.1 MB JPG)
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)
| CAPITOL STATE FOREST | | | | Learn more about recreation in Capitol State Forest NOTE: C-line road CLOSED near Low Bank rock pit Sept. 16, 2009 - Jan. 1, 2010 due to timber harvest activity. Use alternate route (C-4000 & C-7000) when driving in the area.
|
| Capitol Forest Motorized Trails | | CLOSED | | |
| Capitol Forest Non-motorized Trails | | Open | | CLOSED to horses for the season. Open for mountain biking, hiking. |
| Fall Creek Campground | | CLOSED | | Reopens May 1 |
| Fall Creek Trailhead | | CLOSED | | Reopens May 1 |
| Margaret McKenny Campground | | CLOSED | | Reopens May 1 |
| Margaret McKenny Trailhead | | CLOSED | | Reopens May 1 |
| McLane Creek day-use area | | Open | | -- Permit required for groups of 25 or more. Call 360-596-5145. -- Closes at dusk. |
| Middle Waddell Campground | | CLOSED | | Reopens May 1 |
| Middle Waddell Trailhead | | CLOSED | | Reopens May 1 |
| Mima Falls Campground | | CLOSED | | Reopens May 1 |
| Mima Falls Trailhead | | CLOSED | | Reopens May 1 |
| Mima Mounds Interpretive Center | | Open | | -- Permit required for groups of 25 or more. Call 360-596-5144. -- No pets. |
| North Creek Campground | | CLOSED | | Reopens May 1 |
| Porter Creek Campground | | CLOSED | | Reopens May 1 |
| Rock Candy Trailhead | | CLOSED | | Reopens May 1 |
| Sherman Valley Campground | | CLOSED | | Reopens May 1 |
YACOLT BURN STATE FOREST (Clark & Skamania Counties)
| YACOLT BURN STATE FOREST | | | | NOTE: Jones Creek ORV trail system and all trails in Yacolt are closed to ORV/motorized use from December 1 through April 30. |
| Bells Mountain Trail | | Open | | |
| Cold Creek Campground | | Open | | |
| Cold Creek Trailhead | | Open | | |
| Dougan Falls Campground | | CLOSED | | |
| Dougan Falls Picnic Area | | Open | | Park in designated areas only. |
| Jones Creek Trailhead | | Open | | |
| Jones Creek Motorized Trails | | CLOSED | | Reopens May 1 |
| Rock Creek Campground | | Open | | |
| Tarbell Trailhead | | Open | | |
| Tarbell Trail System | | Open | | |
| Three Corner Rock Trailhead | | Open | | |
| Three Corner Rock Trail | | Open | | |
ClarK COUNTY
| Mitchell Peak Trailhead — Southern trailhead | | Open | | -- Access rerouted to the north end due to landslide |
| Mitchell Peak Trailhead — Northern trailhead | | Open | | Trailhead subject to closure at any time due to snow. |
| Mitchell Peak Trail | | Open | | Trailhead subject to closure at any time due to snow. |
| Woodland Campground & day use area | | CLOSED | | -- Property undergoing transfer |
Yacolt Burn State Forest | | | | |
CowlitZ COUNTY
| Merrill Lake Campground | | CLOSED | | Closes November 15 and reopens around April 15, depending on snow. |
Grays HarboR COUNTY
Chehalis River Surge Plain
Parking & Trail | | Open | | No pets. 1/22/10: Caution advised. Downed trees from recent storms may make it hard to find parts of the trail. Crews are working to clear the area. |
| Capitol State Forest | | | | |
LEWIS COUNTY
| Winston Creek Campground | | Open | | Reservation only. Call region office at 360-577-2025. |
Pacific county
| Butte Creek Picnic Area & Trail | | Open | | -- Facilities removed. -- Gate locked. (Parking is limited) -- Walk in OK |
| Snag Lake Campground | | Open | | |
| Tunerville Campground | | Open | | |
| Western Lakes Campground | | Open | | |
Skamania County
Thurston county
| Black River Canoe Launch Day Use Area | | Open | | Facilities removed. |
| Chehalis Western Trail & Trailhead | | See 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 Area | | Open | | -- 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
| Bradley Hills Trailhead & Trails | | Open | | -- Day use only. -- No camping. |