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
Hamma Hamma Beaver Pond #815
Site Open
This 0.5 mile trail is a rolling grade in a wetland pond setting. There is a bench overlooking the pond.
Hamma Hamma Campground
Site Open
Campground is located along the shore of the Hamma Hamma River. Evergreen conifers and hardwoods provide lots of shade. The Living Legacy Trail leaves from a trailhead in the campground. The first…
Home Lake Trail #893
Within Buckhorn Wilderness this .9 mile trail can be accessed by traveling on the Upper Dungeness Trail 833.2 for 5 miles. The trail begins at Boulder Shelter and ends at Olympic National Park…
Interrorem Nature Trail #804
Take a step back in time to the early 1900's when Forest Ranger Emery Finch brought his bride to live in the Duckabush area! This 0.3 mile accessible interpretive loop trail winds through large…
Jefferson Lake Trail
This 0.5 mile trail travels to Jefferson Lake, a peaceful lake that was formed during an ancient earthquake that created a rock dam at the outlet. Wildlife viewing and fishing are popular activities…
Jefferson Lake Trailhead
Site Open
Provides access to: Jefferson Lake Trail
Jefferson Pass Trail #800
This 1.1 mile trail climbs at a gentle grade through mature fir and hemlock forest. The elevation is comparatively high, yet the firs are 3 feet or more in diameter, with an open understory.Alert!-…
Jefferson Pass Trailhead
Site Open
Small area for parking right before trailhead.Provides access to: Jefferson Pass Trail #800
Jefferson Ridge Trail #808
This 1.6 mile trail leads to the top of the ridge through a second growth forest of Douglas-fir. The trail starts in a second growth forest, and meanders in and out of the timber along the edge of a…