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Capitol State Forest

Coordinates: 46°58′21.8″N 123°8′19.49″W / 46.972722°N 123.1387472°W / 46.972722; -123.1387472
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Capitol State Forest
Beaver dam and pond with hills of the Capitol State Forest beyond
Map showing the location of Capitol State Forest
Map showing the location of Capitol State Forest
Location in the state of Washington
Map showing the location of Capitol State Forest
Map showing the location of Capitol State Forest
Capitol State Forest (the United States)
LocationThurston, Washington, United States
Nearest cityTumwater, Washington
Coordinates46°58′21.8″N 123°8′19.49″W / 46.972722°N 123.1387472°W / 46.972722; -123.1387472[1]
Area111,000 acres (450 km2)
Elevation2,658 ft (810 m)[1]
Operator[Washington State Department of Natural Resources]]
WebsiteOfficial website

The Capitol State Forest is a 110,000-acre (450 km2) state forest in Thurston and Grays Harbor counties of the U.S. state of Washington.[2] It includes part of the unusual Mima Mounds geologic feature.

Description

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The Capitol State Forest is managed by Washington State Department of Natural Resources and considered public land.[3] It is a multi-use forest with active logging operations and is open for off-road motorcycles, mountain biking, horseback riding, and hiking.[4]

Geography

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Capitol Forest is approximately bounded by U.S. Route 12 to the southwest, Interstate 5 to the east and State Route 8 to the north. It roughly contains the Black Hills. The Mima Mounds Natural Area Preserve is directly east and units of the Scatter Creek Wildlife Area, such as the Black River Wildlife Area and Glacial Heritage Wildlife Area, are to the southeast.

Cities and towns near its borders include Olympia, Tumwater, Littlerock, Oakville, and McCleary.

Amenities and recreation

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Beaver dam and pond with boardwalk on the McLane Creek Nature Trail

The forest contains the McLane Creek Nature Trail located in an eastern portion of the park. A flat, 1.1-mile (1.8 km) looping trail, with an additional 1.0-mile (1.6 km) extension, it contains a mix of boardwalks and natural pathways with wildlife viewing platforms. Visitors can walk to McLane Creek, the headwaters of which begin in the forest, and through wetland areas and second growth forest. Visitors can view avian wildlife such as Canadian geese, kingfishers, and mallards and the creek is host to migrating Chum salmon, usually in December.[3]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Capitol Peak". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
  2. ^ "Capitol State Forest | WA - DNR".
  3. ^ a b Scruggs, Gregory (November 29, 2024). "Opt outside on Black Friday to duck waddle on this Thurston County trail". The Seattle Times. Retrieved December 3, 2024.
  4. ^ Romano, Craig (2017). Urban Trails: Olympia: Capitol State Forest/ Shelton/ Harstine Island. Mountaineers Books. p. 18. ISBN 978-1-68051-027-0.
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