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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 slumps 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: | 05/09/2023: Skate Creek Road/Forest Road 52 is open as a through-route. |
|---|---|
| Open Season: | May - December |
| Usage: | Medium-Heavy |
| Best Season: | Summer and Fall |
| Busiest Season: | Summer |
| 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.
