RiderPlanet USA Motorcycle And ATV Trails
HomeFind ATV TrailsATV and Dirt Bike ArticlesCalendar of ATV and Motorcycle EventsSupport CenterDonate

Capitol State Forest

Tuesday, January 30, 2024

Other Names

Waddell Creek, Sherman Valley Road, Mount Molly, Little March Mountain, Middle Waddell Loop, Noski Creek, Camp Four Creek, Potosi Creek, Sunbeam Creek, Rock Candy Trailhead, Rock Candy Mountain, Perry Creek, Beatty Creek, Stony Creek, Swift Creek, North Rim Trail, Molly Porter Trail, Capitol Peak, Buck Ridge, North Fork Porter Creek, Swan Creek, Bozy Creek, Kennedy Creek, Capitol Forest, Capitol State Forest Trail System

Last Known StatusClosed For Season

This state forest has 89 miles of trails that are open to off-road use. The northern half is set aside for ATVs and dirt bikes while the southern half is open to non-motorized use. The trails can be slippery and muddy but many sections are filled with pavers and bridge crossings. This trail system is also regularly maintained by various clubs.

Overnight parking is not permitted at the Rock Candy Staging Area but Middle Waddell Campground offers direct trail access. The campground has 24 sites, each with gravel parking, picnic table and a fire ring. A vault toilet is provided and firewood is available from the campground host for a small fee.

Visitors should note that a Washington Discover Pass is required to camp or ride and must be purchased prior to entry since there is no self pay kiosk. Both trails and Middle Waddell Campground close for the winter season beginning December through May 1.

Trail Map... Nearby ATV Trails...

REGULATIONS

Permit RequiredYesWA ORV Tab and Washington Discover Pass**
Dates OpenMay 1 - November 30
Other ATV Stickers AcceptedUnknown
Spark ArrestorYesA spark arresting exhaust silencer or end cap is required for all vehicles.
Noise LimitYes (105 dB)
Whip FlagsNot Required
Maximum Vehicle WidthYes (48 inches)has entrance gate and narrow terrain
Allow Dirt Bikes, Trail Bikes and Motorcycles Motorcycles & Dirt BikesPermitted
Allow All Terrain Vehicles / Quads / Four Wheelers ATVsPermitted(maximum width 48 inches)
Allow Utility Terrain Vehicles, Side by Sides (SXS), RZR UTV & SXSProhibitedtrails and bridges too narrow
Allow 4x4 Jeeps, SUVs and 4 x 4 Trucks with License Plates 4x4 & Jeeps (registered)Prohibited
Dune Buggy & Sand Rail
4x4 (unregistered)
Prohibited
2 Stroke EnginesSome Areas
MX Helmet RequiredYes
Camping / Overnight RV Parking CampingSome Areas(camp in developed sites only)
permitted at Middle Waddell Campground
Campfire Restrictions CampfiresSome Areas(permitted in developed campsites only)
permitted at Middle Waddell Campground
Night RidingNo
Trail BlazingProhibitedstay on trails
Rule Enforcement
Comment**A Discover Pass is not required on any vehicle with a current ORV permit/tab but is required for the street-legal vehicle that is used to transport the ORV. The trailer does not need a pass.
Advertisement

TERRAIN

Approx Size110,000 acres (172 sq mi)
Miles Of Trail89
Climate TypeForest
Elevation550 to 2000 ft.
Trail MaintenanceMarked, Not Rated, Heavily Maintained
Loose DirtThis trail has little loose dirt.Little
Hard PackThe trail has mostly hard pack terrain.Mostly
SandThis trail has no sandy areas.None
MudThe trail has some mud after it rains.Some
DustThe trail has no dust on typical days.None
RocksThis trail has some rocks.Some
TreesThe trail has almost all trees.All
Steep HillsThis trail has some steep hills.Some
Water CrossingsThe trail has some water crossings.Some
Small JumpsThis trail has few small jumps.Few
Large JumpsThis trail has no large jumps.None
BermsThe trail has few berms.Few
Sand/Gravel PitsThis state forest has no sand or gravel pits.None
Single TrackThis state forest has many single track trails.Many
RoadsThis state forest has few roads.Few
IntersectionsThis trail has some intersections.Some
Rider TrafficThe state forest has some rider traffic on typical days.Some
ShadeThis state forest has almost all shaded areas.All
HazardsThis trail has few hazards.Few(hazards assumed marked but use caution)
Easy Terrain NoviceThis trail has little beginner terrain.Little
Moderate Terrain AmateurThis trail has mostly intermediate level terrain.Mostly
Difficult Terrain ExpertThis trail has some expert terrain.Some

TYPE OF AREA

AreaMotorized Trails
LandState Forest

KEY SERVICES

Gasoline Gasoline5-20 Miles (W)Shell (360) 495-4697
Diesel Diesel5-20 Miles (W)Shell (360) 495-4697
Potable Water WaterOn SiteMiddle Waddell Campground
RV Hookups RV Hookup5-20 Miles (SW)Elma RV Park (360) 482-4053
RV Dump Station RV Disposal1-5 Miles (W)Straddleline ORV Park (360) 495-3054
Primitive Camping CampgroundOn SiteMiddle Waddell Campground
Convenience Store Conv Store5-20 Miles (W)Gordon Select Market (360) 495-3647

FEES & PASSES

ParkingYes ($11.50)
Washington Discover Pass Fee
Entry(None)
Riding(None)
Camping(None)
CommentMiddle Waddell campsites are first come, first serve at no additional cost with the purchase of a Discover Pass. Discover Pass must be obtained prior to camping or riding. Cost is $11.50/day or $35/year.

RATINGS

Our RatingRatingVery Good
Recommended StayFull Day
Comments(Scroll Down For Rider Reviews & Comments)

DRIVING DIRECTIONS

Nearest CityOlympia, WA
AddressWaddell Creek Road SW, Olympia, WA 98512
Go Back To Washington List
Trail MapGo To Trail Map
From: Olympia, WA
1) Take US-101 North 5.5 miles
2) Turn left (west) on SR-8, continue 4.7 miles
3) Turn left (SE) on Rock Candy Mountain Road, continue about 20 yards
4) Staging area is on the right (west).

For Middle Waddell Campground:
5) Continue east on SR-8 past Rock Candy Mountain entrance about 5 miles
6) Take Exit for Shelton/Aberdeen
7) Turn right (west) onto 2nd Ave, continue .2 miles
8) Turn left (south) onto McKenzie Road, continue 1.2 miles
9) Turn right (south) onto Delphi Road, continue 5 miles
10) Turn right (west) onto Waddell Creek Road, continue 2.7 miles
11) Turn left (south) to stay on Waddell Creek Road, continue .6 miles
12) Staging area is on the right (west).

OFFICIAL CONTACTS

Contact InfoWashington DNR - South Puget Sound Region
950 Farman Avenue N
Enumclaw, WA 98022
(360) 825-1631
southpuget.region@dnr.wa.gov
www.dnr.wa.gov
Contact InfoWashington State Department of Licensing
(360) 902-3770
titles@dol.wa.gov
www.dol.wa.gov
CommentWashington ORV Tab Info
Contact InfoDiscover Pass Customer Service
(866) 320-9933
discoverpass@dfw.wa.gov
www.discoverpass.wa.gov
CommentWashington Discover Pass

RIDER COMMENTS & REVIEWS

Capitol State Forest Trail Photo

Capitol State Forest Trail

This trail system offers plenty of long loops to explore. Like most Washington ATV trails, this area rarely dries out.

Capitol State Forest Trail Photo

Man wearing Fox motocross jersey, CamelBak and Alpinestar motocross boots sitting on wooden stump off side of trail.

This trail system is well marked and is maintained on a regular basis by local clubs.

Capitol State Forest Trail Photo

Yamaha Raptor 700 going through a semi rocky section of trail.

A view of the logging roads in the area.

Capitol State Forest Trail Photo

Yamaha Raptor 700 on the trail.

Most of the logging roads are smooth and wide.

© 2024 Misirena Digital, LLC Home  |   ATV Trails  |   Articles  |   Calendar  |   Support Center  |   Good Stuff