Mason County is often referred to as the "Gateway to the Olympics." Access to both the Olympic National Park and the Olympic National Forest is available near Hoodsport on Highway 119.

The Hood Canal Ranger Station in Hoodsport serves as a valuable local resource for current regulations, weather, maps, trail and road conditions, and other information. Situations change frequently, so it is always advisable to contact the Ranger Station when planning your trip for up-to-the-minute detailed reports on individual recreation facilities and opportunities. Regulations vary between the park and the forest. Don’t assume that park regulations automatically apply to the forest as well.

Contact the Hood Canal Ranger Station at (360) 877-2021 or visit their website at http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/olympic/.

Check our National Parks Conservation Association website about Pacific Northwest!

The information that follows is by no means comprehensive, but guaranteed to wet your appetite for adventure!

WILDERNESS AREAS

About 14% of the Olympic National Forest is wilderness. Three wilderness areas exist within the Hood Canal Ranger District: The Brothers, Mount Skokomish and Wonder Mountain. These areas comprise 26,678 acres of the total 220,000 acres in the forest.

Nearly 95% of the Olympic National Park is wilderness. In the Hoodsport Ranger District, 119,000 of its 120,000 acres are wilderness.

Both the Forest and the Park offer wilderness campsites (primitive campsites within designated wilderness areas with no facilities) and developed campgrounds (toilets, tables and fire rings). Rustic campgrounds (undeveloped hike-in or vehicle access with limited facilities) are available in the Forest.

Permits and fees vary between the Olympic National Forest and the Olympic National Park. Six favorite destinations for campers and hikers are listed below.

DOSEWALLIPS RECREATION AREA CAMPGROUNDS

• ·         Dosewallips – Olympic National Park:

Elevation 1,540 feet, open spring to fall. 30 campsites, flush toilets, piped water, tables and fire rings. Recommended for tent trailers only due to road condition and limited campsite size. Fee.

TRAILS at DOSEWALLIPS

• ·         Lake Constance Route #90 – Olympic National Park Wilderness:

2 miles, mountain lake, extremely steep, with opportunities for fishing, mountain climbing and views. NOT FOR THE NOVICE HIKER. Reservations required for overnight stays between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Call (360)877-5569.

• ·         Main Fork Dosewallips River #92 – Olympic National Park Wilderness:

15.4 miles with a gradual to steep grade through forest, alpine meadows and mountain pass.

DUCKABUSH RECREATION AREA POINTS OF INTEREST

• ·         Duckabush River

Scenic views of The Brothers Wilderness along the river corridor.

• ·         Interrorem Cabin

Elevation 319 feet. One-story peeled log building built in 1907 as the first administrative site of the Olympic National Forest and Monument (now forest and park). For overnight rental information, contact the Hood Canal Ranger Station. 3 picnic sites with tables, fire rings and toilet.

CAMPGROUNDS at DUCKABUSH

• ·         Collins – Olympic National Park:

Elevation 500 feet, open spring to fall. 16 campsites, 10 accommodate trailers to 21 feet; many of the campsites are near the river. Well, tables, fire rings and vault toilets.

TRAILS at DUCKABUSH

• ·         Ranger Hole #824 – Olympic National Forest:

0.8 mile, flat grade with last 500 feet steep down to the river. Opportunities for fishing and scenic views.

• ·         Duckabush #803 – Olympic National Forest:

6.7 miles, gradual grade for 2.5 miles, steep over Big Hump, then easy. Old-growth forest with fishing and numerous campsites along the river.

HAMMA HAMMA RECREATION AREA POINTS OF INTEREST

• ·         Hamma Hamma River Road or FS Road #25 – Olympic National Forest:

Scenic drive with view of both the Mt. Skokomish and The Brothers Wilderness. Photo, wildlife and wildflower viewing opportunities.

• ·         Hamma Hamma Cabin – Olympic National Forest:

Built in 1935 by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), this historic cabin is available for overnight rental. Contact the Hood Canal Ranger Station for information.

• ·         Hamma Hamma River Bridge – Olympic National Forest:

Beautiful falls, scenic mountains and steep gorges. Parking available at Mildred Lakes trailhead.

CAMPGROUNDS at the HAMMA HAMMA

• ·         Hamma Hamma – Olympic National Forest:

Elevation 560 feet, open spring to fall. 16 campsites, trailers to 22 feet. Well, tables, fire rings, paved road and vault toilets.

• ·         Lena Lake – Olympic National Forest:

3-mile hike to this backcountry developed campground via Trail #810. 29 campsites, toilets and fire rings.

TRAILS at the HAMMA HAMMA

• ·         Lena Lake #810 – Olympic National Forest:

3.0 miles to lake, 4.2 miles to park boundary. Moderate grade through forest, 55-acre lake. Camping, fishing, family day hiking. National Recreation Trail – heavily used.

• ·         The Brothers #821 – Olympic National Forest Wilderness:

3 miles, moderate grade through forestland an a lush, green, moss-covered valley. Day-hike from Lena Lake.

LAKE CUSHMAN RECREATION AREA POINTS OF INTEREST

• ·         Staircase Ranger Station – Olympic National Park:

Elevation 785 feet. Day and overnight hikes, stock unloading area and corral, campground and picnic area.

• ·         Big Cedar – Olympic National Park:

Giant 800-year-old cedar tree.

• ·         North Fork Skokomish River – Olympic National Park:

Breath-taking view of the river with deep pools and rapids. Fishing is catch and release only.

CAMPGROUNDS at LAKE CUSHMAN

• ·         Staircase – Olympic National Park:

Elevation 785 feet, open year-round. 56 campsites, trailers to 30 feet, flush toilets, piped water, tables, fire rings, picnic area. Primitive services, no fee/water in off-season.

• ·         Lake Cushman State Park:

Elevation 750 feet, open spring to fall. 50 standard, 30 full-hookup and two primitive walk-in campsites, trailers to 40 feet. Flush toilets, showers, picnic area, swimming beach, boat ramp, dump station and group camp with cooking shelter. Fee.

• ·         Lilliwaup Creek – WA State Department of Natural Resources:

13 campsites, vault toilets, well.

TRAILS at LAKE CUSHMAN

• ·         Staircase Rapids Loop #104 – Olympic National Park:

2.0 miles, rolling loop trail. River and old-growth forest, catch-and-release fishing, wonderful family nature hike.

• ·         North Fork Skokomish #107 – Olympic National Park:

13.5 miles, gradual grade then moderately steep. Forest setting with river valley and meadows. High bear activity area.

• ·         Mt. Ellinor #812 – Olympic National Forest:

1.6 miles, steep and rocky. Expansive scenic views, wildflower and wildlife viewing through forest, subalpine area to mountain summit. This trail leads to one of the most accessible mountain peaks in the Olympics.

SOUTH FORK SKOKOMISH RECREATION AREA POINTS OF INTEREST

• ·         High Steel Bridge – Olympic National Forest:

This bridge crosses over an impressive 420-foot gorge carved by the South Fork Skokomish River. Built in 1928, it served as a railroad logging bridge until 1950 when the tracks were replaced by a wooden deck for vehicles. In 1964 the woode deck was replaced with a concrete deck and guard rails were added. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

• ·         Dennie Ahl Hill – Olympic National Forest:

Old fire lookout site with scenic views of Hood Canal, Lake Cushman and the South Fork Skokomish Area.

• ·         Brown Creek Beaver Pond – Olympic National Forest:

Wetland beaver pond with wildlife viewing and habitat. Trail #877 loops around the pond.

CAMPGROUNDS at the SOUTH FORK SKOKOMISH RIVER

• ·         Brown Creek – Olympic National Forest:

Elevation 580 feet, open year-round. 20 campsites, trailers to 21 feet, well, tables, fire rings and vault toilets. Hiking, fishing, mountain bike and stock trail.

• ·         Oxbow Camp – Olympic National Forest:

Rustic campsites near river with vault toilet and day-use area. No water.

TRAILS at the SOUTH FORK SKOKOMISH RIVER

• ·         Brown Creek Nature Trail #877 – Olympic National Forest:

0.8 mile loop with flat to rolling grade through wetlands near beaver pond. Trail begins at Brown Creek Campground.

• ·         Upper South Fork Skokomish #873.1 – Olympic National Forest:

5.4 miles with moderate grade through river valley and old-growth forest. First 0.5 mile is on an old road.

• ·         Church Creek Shelter #870 – Olympic National Forest:

0.7 miles with gradual to moderate grade in old-growth forest.

WYNOOCHEE RECREATION AREA POINTS OF INTEREST

• ·         Wynoochee Lake – Olympic National Forest:

4.4 mile reservoir with 1,122 surface acres and numerous recreational opportunities, including: hiking, fishing, swimming, water-skiing and boating.

• ·         Wynoochee Dam & Reservoir:

Built in 1972 for flood control and water storage with visitor center, vista area, picnic and swim areas.

CAMPGROUNDS at WYNOOCHEE

• ·         Coho – Olympic National Forest:

Open spring to fall, 46 campsites, trailers to 34 feet, 10 walk-in campsites, flush toilets, paved roads, tables, fire rings, trails and boat ramp. No hookups or commercial services.

TRAILS at WYNOOCHEE

• ·         Wynoochee Pass – Olympic National Forest and Park:

2.2 miles with a steep and rocky grade through forest and subalpine.