A set of short trails off Highway 119 between Hoodsport and Lake Cushman. With a trailhead kitted out with picnic tables and a restroom, it's a great spot for a picnic, too!

Weaving back and forth across Dow Creek, the Hoodsport Trail features two loops — a short half-mile loop, and a longer, slightly steeper 1.5-mile one. Either trail is friendly to most hikers. And an added bonus: The trails were built by local 4-H club members. 

Skokomish Park at Lake Cushman, formerly known as Camp Cushman or Lake Cushman State Park, covers over 500 acres with three boat-launch ramps on the 41,500 feet of freshwater shoreline on Lake Cushman.  

Park facilities include over 60 sites, including, camp sites, RV pull-thru and back-in site, walk-in campsites, a multi-stie and group camping area. Plus, a fantastic day use area with picnic sites, a picnic shelter, recreational games (cornhole, ladder golf, connect four) and comfort stations located throughout the park.

The natural beauty of the area can be explored on any of our trails.  The eastern part of the Olympic Peninsula has loads of great trails around us in the Olympic National Park.  Trailheads nearby include Big Creek, Mount Rose, Mount Ellinor, Dry Creek, Copper Creek, Wagonwheel Lake, Staircase Rapids, Big Log Camp and Flapjack Lakes.  Mount Ellinor trail is rated 5 stars by many.

Address: 7211 N Lake Cushman Rd, Hoodsport, WA 98548
Phone: 360.877.5656
Email: info@skokomishpark.com

Bear Gulch is a beautiful and popular picnic area situated next to the scenic North Fork Skokomish River on north side of Lake Cushman Reservoir. A few picnic tables and a vault toilet are available. A rocky beach provides access to swimming and wading. 

The site is located on Forest Service Road 24 before the entrance to the Olympic National Park just south of the Staircase area.

This is a steep 2.1 mile trail that forms a short loop at the ridge top. At 0.2 miles the trail passes the Brown Mule mine site, then continues to follow Copper Creek canyon to the abandoned Apex Mine site at 1.4 miles. At 1.3 miles the trail branches and ascends to the ridge crest separating Copper and Elk Creek watersheds. At 1.9 miles the trail branches again, with both branches of the trail leading to the ridge crest. A “way trail” along the ridge connects these two branches to form a loop (the ridge leads toward Timber Mountain and Lightning Peak). The trail begins at Forest Service Road 2451. 

A favorite year-round, the aptly named Shady Lane trailhead can be found at the south end of the parking lot. Veer right on a little spur to the riverside of the North Fork Skokomish, where there is a nice log there to have lunch and just relax in the sun.

Making a left takes you north to the Staircase Ranger Station in roughly a mile. Pass tall cedars, giant firs and hemlock, then take in the Skokomish river, being ever vigilant for elk or other wildlife.

This is a great family hike. It's only a mile to the ranger's cabin, where you can have lunch and chat with the ranger, then carry on another mile to the Staircase rapids, then head back to the trailhead, making it four-miles roundtrip. Take your camera and enjoy the colors. 

This trailhead is located above the Ranger Station. Walk past the overflow parking and stock corral to reach it. Dayhikers can walk the valley part of this 15.1-mile (24.3 km) trail that leads eventually to the Duckabush River. If you plan to make this the start of an overnight backpacking trip, check in with the Wilderness Information Center. 

Located on the Staircase Rapids Trail.  You'll encounter Slate Creek, which is worth a little exploration, and roughly a half-mile later the junction to the new suspension bridge. This $1.2-million project was completed in 2013 after the original bridge was washed out from high flows in 1998. Built much higher than its predecessor, this bridge looks like it will be servicing the loop for some time.

From Hoodsport, take State Route 119 for 9.0 miles to the junction with Forest Service Road 24. Turn right and go 1.6 miles to Forest Service Road 2419 (Big Creek Road). Travel on Forest Road 2419 for 4.9 miles to the lower trailhead. To reach the upper trailhead go another 1.5 miles, turn left on Forest Service Road 2419-014, follow it to the end of road. 

The lower trail climbs gently through the forest for the first mile, and then becomes steeper and increasingly rough. At timberline, 2.5 miles from the lower trailhead, the trail intersects the winter climbing route to the right and the summer trail route to the left. This is a good turnaround point for inexperienced hikers. 

From Hoodsport, take WA-119 N (N Lake Cushman Road) and follow for about 10 miles to the intersection with Forest Road 24. Turn left and follow Forest Road 24 for about 2 miles to Mt. Rose trailhead. 

This is a short, beautiful loop hike that leaves from the Staircase Ranger Station and follows the North Fork of the Skokomish River upstream to Staircase Rapids. At just over 2 miles, this mostly level loop is a great option for families staying in Staircase Campground or anyone looking for a short walk to combine with a day on Lake Cushman.

Beginning from the ranger station, the North Fork Skokomish River Trail plunges into the quintessential Olympic forest of western redcedar, hemlock, and Douglas fir trees. Lush sword ferns and mosses create a dense understory, and the trail cuts through as a narrow band. For much of this portion of the hike the trail stays northeast of the river, leaving you to enjoy the thick woods. You'll encounter Slate Creek, which is worth a little exploration, and roughly a half-mile later the junction to the new suspension bridge. This $1.2-million project was completed in 2013 after the original bridge was washed out from high flows in 1998. Built much higher than its predecessor, this bridge looks like it will be servicing the loop for some time.

Enjoy the long and terraced rapid from several perspectives, including from the bridge. At low flows, the setting here can be calm and tame. Seasonal snowmelt and rains can transform this area into quite a torrent, however, so be sure to watch younger hikers if you are exploring during the winter and spring. Once you have finished here, cross the bridge and return downstream along the Rapids Loop Trail to complete the loop at the campground and ranger station. Alternately, if you have more time, continue upstream on the North Fork Skokomish Trail toward Flapjack Lakes or Big Log Camp.

This trail passes through mature second growth and affords the hiker an excellent walk in the forest. Upper Big Creek Loop Trail #827.1 makes a four mile loop around Big Creek Basin. To access the trail, start at the picnic shelter, cross the lower Big Creek Bridge and then turn left. The trail proceeds in a northerly direction for 1.7 miles to a bridge across Branch Creek. Near this point a side loop trail goes to the confluence of Big and Branch Creeks. From Branch Creek, Mt. Ellinor Connector Trail #827.2 connects the Loop trail to the Lower Mt. Ellinor trail in 1.3 miles. The Loop trail runs northeasterly 400 to the Big Creek Bridge then continues, crossing several creeks, until the campground is reentered at 4.0 miles. Each creek crossing and confluence are excellent places to enjoy lunch (benches provided) in beautiful surroundings.

Via trails Big Creek Upper Loop Trail #827.1, Mt. Ellinor Connector Trail #827.2, and Mt. Ellinor Trail #812, a hiker can trace the historic climbing route from Big Creek Campgound to the summit of Mt. Ellinor, total 6.2 miles.

Located in Division 18

Directions: from Hoodsport, take Highway 119 (Lake Cushman Road) to N Clubhouse Way. Left onto N Clubhouse Way. Right onto W Fairway Dr. Right onto Mountain View Dr. Right onto Beaver Dr. The park is on the right. 

Amenities: Children's playground 

Directions: from Hoodsport, take Highway 119 (Lake Cushman Road) to approximately mile marker 7. Turn left into park. 

Amenities: Covered Gazebo with BBQ's, Dock, Boat Launch, Children's and Adult's Swimming Areas, Picnic Tables, Volleyball Net, Swings, Climbing Bars, Slide, Basketball Court, Restrooms with Showers, Park Hosts from Memorial Weekend through Labor Day Weekend. 

Directions: from Hoodsport, take Highway 119 (Lake Cushman Road) to the "T" which is National Forest Service Road 24 (Staircase Road) and is 7 miles from the LCMC office. Left onto Staircase Road. Left into Mt. Rose Village. Follow Mt. Tebo Way to Potlatch Dr. Left onto Potlatch Dr. Follow Potlatch Dr. To Mt. Seattle Way. Right onto Mt. Seattle Way. Right onto Dosewallips Place and straight into the park. 

Amenities: Covered Gazebo with BBQ's, Dock, Boat Launch, Children's and Adult's Swimming Areas, Picnic Tables, Volleyball Net, Swings, Climbing Bars, Slide, Merry-Go-Round, Basketball Court, Horseshoe Court, Restrooms with Showers, Park Hosts from Memorial Weekend through Labor Day Weekend.