Hiking
Hiking is a wonderful way to see and experience the many wonders of our nation’s forests.
Visit a Forest office, our All Maps page, or National Forest Store to obtain a trail map to help you plan your route based on your ability, available time and interest.
Being prepared includes knowing how to be a responsible hiker.
- Stay on marked trails.
- Don’t hike alone. Let the slowest person in your party set the pace. This is especially important when children are a part of your group.
- Leave an itinerary with a friend or family member. Check in with them upon your return.
- Develop an emergency plan before you start your trip. Make sure everyone knows what to do if they become lost or a medical emergency arises. Give children whistles with the instructions to "stop and blow" if they become lost.
- Take frequent rests. Vary your pace to maintain your energy level.
- Drink plenty of water. Even on cool, wet days. Never drink your entire supply between refills.
- Wear appropriate clothing, including sturdy boots that are broken in and are comfortable.
- Consider using a hiking pole or a walking stick to help maintain your balance in unlevel or hazardous areas.
- Be aware of your surroundings. Pre-plan your approach before hiking through more hazardous areas. Wet surfaces can be a hazard and even more so if it's on a slope. Consider what you'll do if you start to slide or fall so that you are prepared. If falling, do not try to catch yourself; try to avoid landing on your hands, elbows or knees. Landing on the side of your body is much safer. If the slope is such where you know you are going to slide, lowering your center of gravity, by sitting down and sliding on your feet or bottom, is safer. If sliding while standing up, keep your weight over your feet and bend your knees—do not lean back or forward while sliding.
Learn more on the links below.
- Know Before You Go
- Tread Lightly
- Map Pages
- National Forest Maps in the Avenza Store
- Responsible Recreation
Backpacking
Whether you're roughing it in a tent or planning a family picnic, there are many ways to make sure that your experience is fun and safe.
Be prepared
- Pack a first aid kit. Your kit can prove invaluable if you or a member of your group suffers a cut, bee sting or allergic reaction. Pack antiseptics for cuts and scrapes, tweezers, insect repellent, a snake bite kit, pain relievers, and sunscreen. Tailor your kit to your family's special needs.
- Learn ABC - Airway, Breathing, & Circulation. Know how to perform CPR and basic first aid. Recognizing serious injuries will enable you to attend to a victim until medical help arrives.
- Bring emergency supplies. In addition to a first aid kit, you should also have a map of the area, compass, flashlight, knife, waterproof fire starter, personal shelter, whistle, warm clothing, high energy food, water, water-purifying tablets, and insect repellant.
Check the elements
- Check the weather report before you leave home. When you arrive at the site, keep on eye on the skies for changes and, if possible, carry a compact weather radio. In inclement weather, take shelter until the bad weather passes. Stay dry - wet clothes contribute to heat loss.
- Forest and grassland home pages post alerts you should know before you go. Many of our forests and grasslands also post alerts on social media.
Day Hikes
On a day hike, extra weight wears you down and reduces your agility over uneven terrain. Pack as light as possible. Leave the extras behind, but consider bringing these essentials:
- Map
- Sunglasses and a hat
- Sunscreen
- Flashlight
- Waterproof matches
- First aid kit
- Water and water-purifying tablets
- High-energy bars, granola, candy, or fruit
- Extra clothing. Temperatures can change dramatically, particularly if there is an elevation change. For every 1,000 feet of elevation gain, the temperature often drops three to five degrees.
Search for Hiking Opportunities
Fletcher Canyon Trailhead
Provides access to: Fletcher Canyon Trail #857 which enters a deep canyon within Colonel Bob Wilderness.
Gatton Creek Campground/Day Use Area
Site Open
Gatton Creek Campground is located on the south shore of Lake Quinault next to Gatton Creek, a small rainforest stream. Campsites and the picnic units are located along the shore of the lake with…
Gatton Creek Trail #888
This 3 mile trail begins at the trailhead on South Shore Road just across from Gatton Creek Campground which is on Lake Quinault. You won't be disappointed with this 3 mile loop through old growth…
Gatton Creek Trailhead
Site Open
Provides access to: Gatton Creek Trail #888 which is part of the Quinault National Recreation Trail System.This trailhead is located across South Shore Road from Gatton Creek Campground at…
Gold Creek Trail #830
This 6.3 mile trail starts at Lower Dungeness/Gold Creek trailhead on Forest Road 2870-230. Junction with Sleepy Hollow Trail #852 is at 2.9 miles. Conifer forest on steep mountain slopes in the…
Gorge Bridge Trailhead
Site Open
Provides access to: West Fork Humptulips Trail #806A popular trailhead for stock users. Limited dispersed camping available at trailhead. Two hitching rails available for stock use.
Gray Wolf Trail #834 - Lower
This trail travels through dense hardwoods and conifers along the Gray Wolf River. Trail is 4.2 miles to the former bridge site and end of trail. This scenic canyon contains spring blooming native…
Gray Wolf Trail #834.2 - Upper
To access the Upper Gray Wolf Trail take Slab Camp Trail #838 to the bridge over the Gray Wolf River. Take a right (southwest) after crossing the bridge to begin the trail. Beyond this point, the…
Gray Wolf Trailhead
Site Open
Provides access to: Lower Gray Wolf Trail #834 which enters Buckhorn Wilderness but ends before reaching Olympic National Park.
Hamma Hamma area
Site Open
The Hamma Hamma drainage is well-loved by locals and visitors alike. This area encompasses an array of recreation opportunities including the challenging trails ascending into Mount Skokomish and…