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Forest Road 52/Skate Creek Road
Forest Road (FR) 52, also known as Skate Creek Road, travels east to west, between Packwood and Elbe. FR 52 is a paved road that has had low maintenance for a number of years. Please watch your speed. There are a number of uneven road surfaces and potholes in the road.
Forest Road 52 travels through low elevation forest following beautiful Skate Creek. The forest contains evergreen and deciduous trees and offers beautiful fall colors and plenty of cooler temperatures in the summer. The area offers several dispersed camping sites and fishing in the creek.
In the winter months, FR 52 is often gated closed when the snow gets too deep to drive safely.
Tacoma Power and the WDFW will NOT be stocking Skate Creek with catchable trout in the future. This is in order to comply with new State regulations prohibiting stocking catchable trout species in anadromous waters. Skate Creek qualifies as “anadromous waters” because of the ongoing salmon/steelhead reintroduction program for the upper Cowlitz River.
At a Glance
| Current Conditions: | (11/25/2024): Skate Creek Road is open to the public for the remainder of the season. Travel with caution as the season changes and snow begins to fall. |
|---|---|
| Operational Hours: | See Current Conditions Section and Restrictions Section! |
| Open Season: | May - December |
| Usage: | Medium-Heavy |
| Best Season: | Summer and Fall |
| Busiest Season: | Summer |
| Restrictions: | Repair work has begun on Forest Road 52 (Skate Creek Road) on the Cowlitz Valley Ranger District. Beginning September 3rd, there is a planned 30-day road closure between mileposts 9.24 and 18.65, effective Monday morning at 08:00am to Friday evening at 8:00pm. The road will re-open to weekend public travel Friday evening at 8:00pm to Monday morning at 8:00am. For more information see News and Events. |
| Information Center: | Governing District Office: Cowlitz Valley Ranger District |
Activities
Viewing Scenery
Beautiful Skate Creek winds next to the road most of the way between Packwood and Elbe.
Skate Creek offers trout fishing during fishing season as well.
There are several nice dispersed camp sites along FR 52.