Dosewallips River Road

The Dosewallips River Road is a 7-km point-to-point trail in Washington State, United States, threading the eastern Olympic Mountains along a decommissioned road through ancient temperate rainforest. Gaining approximately 366 m (1,200 ft) of elevation with a moderate-to-hard rating, the route follows the churning Dosewallips River upstream through canyon walls draped in moss, past waterfalls and elk habitat, to reach the historic Dosewallips Campground deep inside Olympic National Park.

About the Dosewallips River Road

The Dosewallips River Road was once a paved motor road accessing the interior of Olympic National Park from the east side of the Olympic Peninsula. A catastrophic landslide in 2002 wiped out a critical 1.6-km section of the road, permanently closing it to vehicles and converting it into one of Washington's most accessible wilderness hiking corridors. Today the decommissioned roadbed gives hikers and cyclists a gentle grade into landscapes that would otherwise require strenuous off-trail travel to reach.

The trailhead sits just east of the Olympic National Park boundary in an area administered jointly by the U.S. Forest Service and the National Park Service. The Hood Canal Ranger District of the Olympic National Forest manages the approach, while the National Park Service's Olympic National Park manages the upper section beyond the park boundary at mile 4.9 (7.9 km). This jurisdictional boundary matters for overnight hikers, as wilderness regulations and permit requirements differ on each side.

The river the trail follows — the Dosewallips — takes its name from a Twana Indigenous word. It drains the east slope of the Olympic Mountains, collecting snowmelt from summits such as Mount Constance (2,361 m) and Mount Anderson (2,297 m) before emptying into Hood Canal. The gentle gradient of the old road keeps underfoot conditions predictable even after wet weather. Old-growth Douglas fir, western red cedar, and bigleaf maple form a cathedral canopy overhead, with luxuriant mosses covering every rock and root.

Wildlife sightings are reliably good on this route. Roosevelt elk — the large native subspecies the national park was created partly to protect — appear frequently in the river corridor, particularly at dawn and dusk. Black-tailed deer, river otters, and black bears are also present. Birders will find American dippers working the river shallows and winter wrens singing from the undergrowth year-round.

For hikers planning an overnight trip and wanting to save weight on the sustained gradient of the upper canyon, choosing the right ultralight backpack makes a tangible difference over the full 10.5 km to the campground.

Route Overview & Stages

The trail follows the bed of the old Dosewallips Road from the end of the public motor road at the parking area to the Dosewallips Campground, the site of the former drive-in camp approximately 10.5 km (6.5 miles) from the trailhead. Most hikers tackle this route as an out-and-back day trip to one of the intermediate landmarks, or as an overnight backpack using Dosewallips Campground as a base for further wilderness objectives. The five stages below are defined by key landmarks along the old road.

Highlights & Points of Interest

• 2002 Landslide Scar (km 1.6) — A massive slope failure swept the road into the Dosewallips River, creating the break that permanently closed the route to motor vehicles. The scar is now partly revegetated but still visible as a raw wall of exposed earth and fractured bedrock above the river, offering a vivid illustration of Olympic Peninsula geology.
• Stony Brook Falls (km 3.5) — A side cascade visible from the roadbed on the right. During spring snowmelt from April through June, the falls run loud and full-throated; by late August they thin to a silver thread. A short scramble path leads to the base pool.
• Elkhorn Campground (km 4.3) — The ghost of a former drive-in camp, Elkhorn now offers flat dispersed backcountry sites beside the river. No maintained facilities remain, but reliable river water access and Roosevelt elk sightings in the early morning make it a popular first overnight stop.
• High Canyon Overlook (km 6.4) — At the steepest section of the old road, the canyon walls close in and the Dosewallips River drops 60–70 m below. This viewpoint gives the clearest sense of the valley's scale and the ridgelines rising toward Mount Constance (2,361 m).
• 2009 Constance Fire Zone (km 6.5–8.0) — A 2009 wildfire left a mosaic of standing silver snags and fast-regenerating forest on the upper slopes above the road. The open burn area now hosts dense lupine, fireweed, and bear grass — and provides significantly better wildlife visibility than the closed old-growth sections lower on the route.
• Lake Constance Spur (km 8.0, unsigned) — The unmarked trailhead for one of the most demanding day hikes in Olympic National Park: 900 m of vertical gain in just 3.2 km to a remote cirque at 1,372 m. Experienced hikers with route-finding skills only — this spur is not maintained and carries significant hazard in wet conditions.
• Olympic National Park Boundary (km 7.9) — Crossing from Olympic National Forest into Olympic National Park, dogs and bicycles must stop here. Wilderness regulations apply beyond this sign. A backcountry permit is required for anyone camping on the park side overnight.
• Dosewallips Campground & Ranger Station (km 10.5) — The decommissioned ranger station and former car campground at road's end. Bear-proof food lockers, a hitching post for stock users, and spacious flat tent sites make this an excellent base for day hikes into the upper West Fork valley or a staging point for a summit attempt on Mount Anderson (2,297 m).

Best Time to Hike the Dosewallips River Road

The Olympic Peninsula has a maritime climate: mild, wet, and shaped by the rain shadow of the Olympic Mountains. The Dosewallips valley sits on the drier east side of the range, receiving approximately 760–1,000 mm of precipitation annually at valley level — substantially less than the western rainforest slopes. That said, the trail can be wet underfoot from October through April, and the initial stream crossing at the trailhead runs fast during snowmelt.

June through September is the core hiking season. Snowpack in the upper valley typically clears by late June, opening the West Fork trail and making the Lake Constance approach safe. July and August bring the driest conditions, warm afternoons in the lower canyon (12–22 °C), and wildflower displays on the 2009 burn slopes above km 6.5.

The single best month is July. Snowmelt is largely complete, upper trails are open, days stretch to nearly 9:00 pm, and the river has settled from spring flood stage to a clear, manageable level. Stony Brook Falls still run well on residual snowmelt. Mosquitoes thin by mid-July, and weekend trail traffic has not yet reached August peak levels.

May works well for the lower road section below Elkhorn, as the low elevation keeps it snow-free, but hikers planning to reach the campground should wait until June. October brings spectacular bigleaf maple and vine maple fall color with far fewer visitors; however, daylight shortens sharply and rain probability increases. As of 2026, current trail conditions and seasonal closures for the Dosewallips Road are published at the Washington Trails Association trip reports page — check before you go, particularly if visiting in May or after major storm events.

The stream crossing at the trailhead can run high and fast during snowmelt (May–early June). In a high-snow year, wading above knee depth may be required. Carry trekking poles for stability and check recent trip reports before committing to a crossing date.

Practical Information

Accommodation

Two backcountry camps serve the Dosewallips River corridor:

• Elkhorn Campground (km 4.3) — Dispersed sites in the forest beside the river. No fee, no reservation system, no maintained facilities. First-come basis. Water is available from the river but must be treated before drinking.
• Dosewallips Campground (km 10.5) — The end-of-road camp inside Olympic National Park. Flat tent pads, bear-proof food lockers, and a pit toilet are in place. A backcountry permit from Olympic National Park is required for overnight stays (see Permits & Fees below). No reservation system for this specific camp.

No huts, hostels, or commercial lodging exist on the trail itself. The nearest town with full services is Brinnon, WA, approximately 18 km east on US-101. Basic motel and cabin accommodation is available there, running approximately $90–$130 USD per night (roughly €83–€120 at 2026 exchange rates). Dosewallips State Park campground, 1.6 km west of Brinnon, offers car camping for approximately $25–$45 USD per night (€23–€41).

Getting There & Back

The trailhead is at the end of Dosewallips Road (Forest Service Road 2610). There is no public transit to the trailhead; a private vehicle is the only practical option.

• From Seattle: Take the Washington State Ferry from Colman Dock to Bainbridge Island (~35 min), then drive US-101 south through Shelton. Total: approximately 2.5–3 hours and 180 km to the trailhead.
• From Bremerton: Take the Washington State Ferry from Seattle to Bremerton (~60 min), then drive south on Highway 3 and US-101 to Brinnon. Total driving time from the Bremerton ferry terminal: approximately 1 hour.
• Nearest airport: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), approximately 200 km from the trailhead. Allow 2.5–3 hours by road, including the ferry crossing.
• Final approach: From US-101 at Brinnon (milepost 306), turn west onto Dosewallips Road and drive 13.7 km (8.5 miles) to the parking area at road's end. A wooden bridge and stream crossing mark the trail start. Parking can fill on summer weekends; aim to arrive before 9:00 am.

Because this is a point-to-point route, most hikers run a car shuttle or do the trail as an out-and-back. Cyclists sometimes ride to the Olympic National Park boundary at km 7.9 and leave bikes before continuing on foot into the wilderness section.

Permits & Fees

• Day hiking (any section): No permit and no fee required. No Northwest Forest Pass is currently required at this trailhead.
• Overnight — Forest Service section (trailhead to km 7.9): No permit required for Elkhorn Campground. Dispersed camping is free on this side of the park boundary.
• Overnight — Olympic National Park (km 7.9 to campground): A backcountry permit is required and costs $8 USD per group plus $8 USD per person per night. Permits are available via recreation.gov or in person at the Hood Canal Ranger Station in Quilcene, WA. Availability is generally good except on summer holiday weekends.

Gear & Packing List

The decommissioned road surface is firm and wide, so technical footwear is less critical here than on most Olympic Peninsula wilderness trails. Waterproof trail runners or light hiking boots are a sound choice — particularly for the initial stream crossing and for wet autumn conditions. Trekking poles add stability at the stream crossing and on the steeper canyon section around km 6.4.

For a day hike, a 12–20 L pack handles everything comfortably. For an overnight to Dosewallips Campground, 35–55 L capacity covers shelter, sleeping system, bear canister, and 2 days of food. Recommended packs for this trail:

• Day hike: Salomon ADV Skin 20 — low-profile and close-fitting, excellent on the moderate grades of the old road corridor.
• Overnight: Hyperlite Mountain Gear 2400 Windrider — ultralight DCF construction handles Olympic Peninsula dampness well; 39 L fits a full overnight kit without the bulk of heavier alternatives.
• Extended multi-day: Osprey Aether 65 — if combining with the West Fork Dosewallips trail or an Anderson Pass route (3–4 nights), the extra volume handles a larger food carry and full mountaineering kit.

Other essentials specific to this trail:

• Water filter or purification tablets — river water is the only source on the route; treat all water before drinking
• Bear canister or hang kit — required inside Olympic National Park wilderness
• Waterproof jacket and pack cover — weather changes fast on the Olympic Peninsula even in July
• Gaiters — wet undergrowth soaks legs quickly in spring and early autumn
• Insect repellent — mosquitoes are heavy in the lower valley during June and early July

Before planning your food kit, read our guide on how many calories you need hiking a full day. On a 10–15 km day with moderate elevation gain, most adults need 2,500–3,500 kcal — a figure that climbs sharply if you add a high-altitude objective like the Lake Constance spur.

Similar Trails You Might Like

If you enjoy the river corridor scenery, old-growth forest, and sustained but manageable elevation gain of the Dosewallips River Road, the trails below offer equally compelling experiences across different US landscapes — from Grand Canyon rim descents to Yosemite ridgelines.

• South Kaibab Trail (United States) — Grand Canyon's most dramatic descent, with open ridge exposure replacing forest cover.
• North Kaibab Trail (United States) — The north-rim canyon approach through shaded Bright Angel Canyon, with Ribbon Falls midway.
• Hidden Canyon (United States) — A compact Zion slot-canyon route with chains, narrows, and high drama packed into a short distance.
• Clouds Rest Trail (United States) — Yosemite's finest ridge walk, with Half Dome panoramas from a summit rarely as crowded as the valley floor below.
• Panorama Trail (United States) — A Yosemite high-loop route taking in Illilouette Falls and Nevada Falls with big valley views throughout.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to hike the Dosewallips River Road?

July is the single best month. By July, lower canyon snow is long gone, the West Fork trail above the campground is passable, days stretch to near 9:00 pm, and the river has settled from spring flood level to a clear, crossable flow. June works well for the lower road section but upper-valley trails may carry snow. October offers fall color and solitude, but comes with shorter days and a higher chance of rain.

How difficult is the Dosewallips River Road?

The trail is rated moderate-to-hard. The decommissioned road gives it a gentle, even grade for most of its length — accessible to fit beginners — but the steepest section at km 6.4 gains approximately 122 m over a short distance, and the stream crossing at the trailhead can be dangerous in high water from May through early June. Overall, the route rewards steady pacing and good footwear rather than technical skill or mountaineering experience.

How far should I plan to hike in a day?

The first camp at Elkhorn Campground is 4.3 km from the trailhead and takes roughly 1.5–2 hours at an easy pace, making it a comfortable turnaround for a short day hike. Reaching Dosewallips Campground at km 10.5 adds approximately 2–2.5 hours more. A full out-and-back to the campground is approximately 21 km and a long day. Most day hikers without camping gear turn back at Elkhorn or the high canyon viewpoint at km 6.4.

What accommodation is available along the trail?

Two backcountry camps serve the route: Elkhorn Campground (km 4.3, free, dispersed, no facilities) and Dosewallips Campground (km 10.5, inside Olympic National Park, bear lockers and pit toilet, permit required). No huts or hostels exist on the trail. The nearest motel accommodation is in Brinnon, WA, approximately 18 km east on US-101, with nightly rates of $90–$130 USD. Dosewallips State Park campground offers a car-camping alternative from $25 USD per night.

Do I need a permit to hike the Dosewallips River Road?

Day hikers need no permit on any part of the route. Overnight campers at Elkhorn Campground (km 4.3, Forest Service land) also need no permit. Overnight campers beyond the Olympic National Park boundary at km 7.9 — including Dosewallips Campground — require a backcountry permit costing $8 USD per group plus $8 USD per person per night, available via recreation.gov or at the Hood Canal Ranger Station in Quilcene, WA.