Snoqualmie Ranger District
The 339,717-acre Snoqualmie Ranger District begins just North of Interstate 90 and extends Southward to a shared boundary with Mt Rainier National Park. Historically, it was comprised of the North Bend Ranger District, accessed primarily by I-90, and the White River Ranger District, accessed by Highway 410 (Mather Memorial Parkway), to the south.
The district has two offices, one located in North Bend and the other in Enumclaw, Washington, and includes 102,000 acres of designated Wilderness including Alpine Lakes, Clearwater, and Norse Peak Wilderness areas. It also encompasses two ski areas, seven campgrounds, over 30 multi-user type trailheads, and portions of the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail. This region is also home to the Middle Fork and Pratt River Wild and Scenic Rivers.
Because of the district’s many recreation opportunities and proximity to the Greater Seattle Area, it sees extremely high use throughout the year.
Complexes
This recreation corridor is accessed by Middle Fork Road/Forest Road 56, a high-quality paved road that begins near North Bend and follows the Middle Fork Wild and Scenic River. At around Mile Post 12.4, just past the bridge over Taylor River, the road becomes gravel and takes a sharp right (to the east), continuing on as Taylor River Road 5640 toward Dingford Creek Trailhead at the road's end.
Before reaching Pratt River Bar at Mile Post 8, there are several trailheads connected to trail systems on land managed by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), including Mailbox Peak, Champion Beach and Oxbow Trail Loop.
This campground is located by the Taylor River, near its confluence with the Middle Fork of the Snoqualmie River, which is part of the Mt.
This is a half-mile barrier-free nature trail connected to the Middle Fork Campground.
The Middle Fork Trail crosses an unusual arched beam cable-hung bridge just below the confluence of the Middle Fork Snoqualmie and Taylor Rivers.
To access the Pratt River Trail 1035, park at the Middle Fork Snoqualmie Trailhead.
This roadside trailhead on the Middle Fork Road near North Bend accesses a short trail, about a quarter of a mile, through the woods to the gravel river bar along the Middl
The Camp Brown trailhead and day use area was constructed in 2018. It provides easy access to the Middle Fork Snoqualmie River.
Garfield Ledges Trailhead and Picnic Area, located on the Middle Fork Road along the Taylor River, opened in September 2019 following extensive wor
Garfield Ledges is short but steep climb to a great view of the Middle Fork River Valley. The hike is a 2.2 mile round trip with about 800 feet in elevation gain.
Cross the Taylor River on a concrete road bridge and follow the old overgrown Taylor River Road through second-growth forest.
This trailhead provides access to several trail systems and the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, as well as access to Goldmye
Starting at the Dingford Creek Trailhead gate, horseman, cyclists and hikers travel northeast along the closed portion of Forest Service Road 56 following the north side of
The Interstate-90 Recreation Corridor on the Snoqualmie Ranger District is bookended by the Snoqualmie Ranger Station in North Bend and the Snoqualmie Pass Visitor Center and Ski Areas at Snoqualmie Pass. Over the Pass, I-90 continues to the east on the Cle Elum Ranger District. This corridor is part of the Mountains to Sound Greenway National Heritage Area. The recreation sites, trailheads, and trail systems on Snoqualmie's I-90 Recreation Corridor include:
The popular Alpine Lakes Wilderness encompasses approximately 394,000 acres in the Central Cascades Region within Washington state.
On the Snoqualmie River, this is one of the oldest Forest Service campgrounds on the forest. Campsites sit beneath a canopy of forest, and a few are sprinkled at the b
This campground is on the south fork of the Snoqualmie River. The site is forested with Douglas-fir, cedar and western hemlock, providing abundant shade.
The Summit at Snoqualmie operates under permit with the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. The U.S.
A favorite one-mile (two-mile round trip) hike for families, Franklin Falls Trail follows the south fork of the Snoqualmie River up-hill, skirting a canyon with glimpses of
Wagon Road Trail 1021 (one mile) and Franklin Falls Trail 1036 (one mile) create a short, two-mile loop a
Denny Creek Trail is 4.3 miles from the Denny Creek Trailhead to its terminus near Melakwa Lake, for a round-trip of about 8.6 miles (plus an extra quarter-mile one-way on
This is a moderately-used trail connecting the Pratt Lake with Melakwa Lake within Alpine Lakes Wi
Enter the forest and climb 0.2 miles, crossing an unpaved road servicing Bonneville Power lines and trail junction.
This hike is 7.5-miles round trip. From Annette Lake Trailhead, cross Humpback Creek and climb steadily and sometimes steeply up the western slope of Silver Peak.
Picnic along the South Fork of the Snoqualmie River in a remnant stand of old-growth forest. Enjoy views of the river from picnic tables stationed along its banks.
Begin at Annette Lake Trailhead or Asahel Curtis Picnic Area and enjoy a short, easy walk through one of the last remaining stands of old growth in the Snoqualmie Valley.
This trailhead accesses an extensive network of trails via Pratt Lake Trail 1007, which in turn accesses 
Accessed from the Pratt Lake Trailhead, Pratt Lake Trail leads to a number of destinations, offering many possibilities for hiking, fishing and scrambling.
The Granite Mountain Lookout is accessed from Granite Mountain Trail 1016 and is roughly an 8-mile roun
A 6.2 round-trip, this moderate hike is very popular with first-time backpackers and families with children.
This seldom-used primitive trail within Alpine Lakes Wilderness begins at Lower Tuscohatchie L
Provides access to: Pacific Crest Trail 2000 Snoqualmie Pass North.
This is one of the most beautiful and most crowded sections of the 2,620-mile-long Pacif
If you're heading south on the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail from Stevens Pass
Walk closed FS Road 9090 almost three miles to a switchback right at approximately 4,100 feet elevation.
Along this snowshoe route you can enjoy views of Rampart Ridge on the east side of Gold Creek Valley, north towards Alta Mountain and Chikamin Ridge, and south towards the
Learn more about the Gold Creek Area Closure
Gold Creek Area will close seasonally, April 1 – November 30 through 2027.
Along this snowshoe route you will see Kendall Peak to the northwest, Rampart Ridge to the east, Alta Mountain on the northeast and Chikamin Ridge to the north.
The Highway/State Route 410 Recreation Corridor is on the Snoqualmie Ranger District. This recreation corridor heads east out of Enumclaw and is part of the Chinook Scenic Byway, which continues past the National Forest and onto Mt. Rainier National Park. The recreation sites, trailheads and trail systems in the Highway 410 corridor of the Snoqualmie Ranger District are accessed either directly off the Highway or, more commonly, from Forest Roads that depart from the 410. They include:
This campground is next to the White River in an old growth forest with Douglas-fir, cedar and western hemlock trees, providing abundant shade.
This campground is along the White River in a beautiful section of old growth forest just outside the North Arch entrance to the Mt. Rainier National Park.
Ranger Creek is a popular, informal campground located along the White River and Highway 410, adjacent to a backcountry airstrip with access to several trail systems.
Begin climbing through old growth timber. At mile 2.6 reach a spur trail left that leads to Little Ranger Peak with a good viewpoint of the White River Valley.
This popular trail follows the west side of the White River through thick forest covered in moss to the main attraction: Skookum Falls.
This trail has it all, from beautiful forests, good climbing and fun descents to technical sections with views of Mt. Rainier from cliffs that will inspire you.
This is a nice year-round 5.9-mile hike for the whole family with minimal elevation gain.
Climb Snoquera Falls Trail to the base of Snoquera Falls through old growth timber at mile 1.4.
Suntop Trail may be accessed below from Ranger Creek Campground, or Suntop Road 7315 near the Suntop Lookout and Picnic Area.
This trailhead provides access to the Suntop Trail 1183 from the bottom near Ranger Creek Campground.
This is a nice year-round 5.9-mile hike for the whole family with minimal elevation gain.
This is a short .5-mile trail up to Goat Falls, a small cascading waterfall along Goat Creek in the vicinity of the Silver Springs summer home area and Crystal Mountain.
Crystal Mountain Ski Resort operates under permit with the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. The U.S.
Leaving the trailhead at Sand Flats, climb three miles through scattered old growth and subalpine timber, across alpine meadows and past a couple of lakes before erupting o
Climb northwest away from the main Crystal Mountain Ski Lodge toward cabins along the east wall of the valley.
Hikers seeking alpine scenery with panoramic views and patches of wildflowers won't be disappointed.
Hikers seeking alpine scenery with panoramic views and patches of wildflowers won't be disappointed.
Norse Peak Wilderness begins just northeast of Mount Rainier National Park and reaches down both sides of the Cascade Mounta
High alpine meadows, fields of wildflowers, great views of Mt. Rainier and gentle ascent make this trail an excellent hike.
This is an easy two-mile hike for all ages through lush moss-laden old-growth forest to Greenwater Lakes, also known as Meeker Lake.
Travel the rugged Naches Trail, following the route of the pioneer wagons in the mid-1800s over the same mountain range we now cross via Chinook Pass on Highway 410.
This trailhead and horse camp is used primarily by dispersed campers and visitors with horses.
This type of trail is rated more difficult, has some bad spots and should be attempted by experienced hikers.
On a clear day the scenery from this historical mountaintop cabin rewards you with views of Mt. Rainier, Mt. Baker, Mt.
Starting at 4,314 feet, walk a short .7 miles up an old logging road to a new section of trail just to the right with boulder steps.
This steep trail winds through young trees to an old, abandoned fire lookout site on Huckleberry Mountain. As you climb, enjoy nice views of the White River valley and Mt.
Grass Mountain Trail takes you along ridges of subalpine timber to an open meadow and Mule Springs.
Lonesome Lake is a scenic picnic area located on the edge of a small body of water.
High alpine meadows, fields of wildflowers, great views of Mt. Rainier and gentle ascent make this trail an excellent hike.
This is the southern-most section of the Pacific Crest Trail crossing through the Mt
Follow the Norse Peak Trail 1191 and then the
Update: Forest Road 74 washed out in 2006. No vehicle access to the trailhead.
This lesser known trail starts in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest and enters the northeast corner of the Mt. Rainier National Park to Sunrise Visitor Center.
Ideal for children, families and beginners the lower level wide groomed route that follows Huckleberry Creek.
Start at the junction with the White River Trail 1199 and climb through old growth timber.
This trail connects the Pacific Crest Trail to Greenwater Lakes Trail 1176 just
This is a great hike for the family with lots to see: wildflowers, scenic views of Mt. Rainier and if you are lucky, marmots or goats.
This is a great ridge hike with most of the elevation gain on the road up to the trailhead. Start in a clearing at 5,300 feet and follow the ridge.
This is a family friendly easy .8-mile hike or bike trail with minimal elevation gain. Begin at the Dalles Campground and follow the White River to road #73.
Evans Creek Off Road Vehicle (ORV) Recreation Complex includes a campground, ORV/OHV trail system of roughly 43 miles, staging, and picnic area. A Northwest Forest Day ($5) or Annual ($30) Pass is required. This complex is currently inaccessible to the public due to the Fairfax Bridge Closure.
*EMERGENCY CLOSURE: SR-165 MP 11.5 Fairfax Bridge is closed to traffic. Access to this site is unavailable at this time.
EMERGENCY CLOSURE: SR-165 MP 11.5 Carbon River Bridge is closed to traffic. Access to this site is unavailable at this time.
EMERGENCY CLOSURE: SR-165 MP 11.5 Fairfax Bridge is closed to traffic. Access to this site is unavailable at this time.
Bearhead Mountain (6,089’) is the highest point in this wilderness, towering above Clearwater River headwaters.
This trail takes you to the shores of Summit Lake, a wide, cold and crystal clear alpine lake at 5,400 feet.
The Carbon Trail offers spectacular views of Mt. Rainier and the valley below.
Recreation Sites
Alpine Lakes Wilderness: Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie
Annette Lake Trail 1019
Annette Lake Trailhead
Arch Rock Trail 1187
Asahel Curtis Nature Trail 1023
Asahel Curtis Picnic Area
Bare Mountain Trail 1037
Buck Creek Trail 1169
Bullion Basin Trail 1156
Camp Brown Interpretive Trail and Day Use Area