Washington Off-Road Trails

Stampede Pass is a mountain pass through the Cascade Range, just south of Snoqualmie Pass in Washington. Its importance to transportation lies almost entirely with railroads, as no paved roads cross it. The pass was originally created to build and maintain the railways that traveled in both directions across the Cascade Mountains in Washington State. The incredible views of Mount Rainier and the surrounding Cascade Mountain range make this 12-mile offroad trip worth the time.

Traversing the mountain spine of the Cascades, connecting western and eastern Washington, the Naches Trail is a demanding trail known for its technical terrain, stunning alpine scenery, and deep historical roots. Naches began as a Native American trade route and later served as a settler wagon trail, a military route, and a cattle path. The Longmire wagon party crossed it in 1853, and Jeep clubs revived it in the 1950s, preserving its legacy as an offroad trail. Though once proposed as a state highway, it remains undeveloped, offering a raw driving experience that winds through dense forests, opens to sweeping ridgelines with views of Mount Rainier, and passes through peaceful meadows. Proudly wearing the distinction as a Jeep Badge of Honor, Naches is a seasonal trail that delivers a blend of challenge, beauty, and heritage that defines Pacific Northwest off-roading.

NF-7720, just outside Wilkeson, WA, is in the Mt. Baker - Snoqualmie National Forest. This road is a 15.39-mile journey to "Cedar Lake" overlook. Cedar Lake is landlocked with no road access. There is a hiking trail at the end of the trail that you can take down to the lake for a truly magical experience. The road is picturesque and presents various challenges throughout the year. The trail can become muddy with early snowmelt in the spring and late fall rains, adding an element of difficulty for travelers. It winds through a network of Forest Service roads, offering stunning overlooks of Mount Rainier to the south, Tacoma and the Puget Sound to the west, and, on a clear day, the Canadian Cascades to the north. As travelers venture further, the last couple of miles become increasingly rugged, featuring a steep Hillclimb that leads to the end of the trail and the lookout onto Cedar Lake. Vehicles and passenger cars with high clearance and four-wheel drive may need help to navigate this demanding terrain. Additionally, the road travels through old-growth forests, providing a scenic and immersive experience for those who brave the journey.

Lonesome Lake is a beautiful crystal clear alpine lake that is located at the top of FR-75. The name of the lake was adopted in the winter of 1935 when a young couple that made many trips to the lake got in a huge quarrel and split up. While Johnie and Clyde were split, Clyde went to the lake where he ended up snowed in with 8 feet of snow. While sitting lonesome by the fire one night he grabbed a piece of steel heated it up and wrote the words, "Lonesome Lake" on a piece of wood and nailed it to a tree. The name took like glue and today the lake is visited by more than 4000 people per year. The incredible views of Mount Rainier and the surrounding Cascade Mountian range make this 15-mile trip well worth the time. On a clear day, there will be many opportunities to take some stunning photos of majestic Mount Rainier.

Spada Lake trail crisscrosses over Olney Creek as you climb up to Sultan Basin and Spada Lake Reservoir, surrounded by the Bald and Blue Mountains in this peaceful and windy wooded forest. Enjoy the quiet scenery of Spada Lake, or make a day of it and hike to Grieder and Boulder Lakes, which begin at the South Shore Recreational Site.

Fortune Creek trail is located just North of Roslyn, Washington (home of the hit TV show "Northern Exposure"). It is only accessible for four-wheel drive vehicles from the middle of June till November. With the trail connecting to several other great trails in the area, it makes for an excellent day trip. It is a very easy nontechnical trail that can be enjoyed by any four wheel drive vehicle with adequate ground clearance. This trail follows an old mining road that was cut back at the turn on the century in search of gold. If you look carefully you will still see Federal mine claim signs just off the trail and old rusted mining equipment. At the end of the six mile trail, you will be surprised to find beautiful Lake Gallagher. This trail is filled with beautiful vistas, large mountains, and many areas to camp and explore.

NF-6808 is an easy trail that takes you from the southern edge of Washington, near the Columbia River, into the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. A nice area with light trails, that is welcoming for newcomers and experienced travelers alike. While it lacks in challenges, NF-6808 leads you on to further adventures deep in the forests and mountains of Washington. This trail is part of the Washington Cascade Overland Route. Visit Overlanding Across Washington for more information, including which trails to take next.

Tahuya State Forest ORV area is a 4x4 destination for both beginning offroaders and seasoned veterans. While this forest trail system does have man-made​ rock gardens, for the most part, the only hindrance to stock vehicles would be the depth of the standing water in the winter months. Of course, if you are stock, or only slightly lifted, you might want to remain a spectator at the rock gardens since they were put in for more modified rigs. Tahuya has been nick-named "2-Wheel Tahuya" as most of the trails are fairly easy. But in the last few years, that has started to change. There is not really a good map produced that shows all of the trails in this park. The park is a confusing mixture of 4x4, motorcycle, and ATV trails. Other trails are restricted to walking and mountain biking. Tahuya South Loop takes you on a journey through what used to be an untouched forested area but is now clear-cut. Expect to hear your springs popping and undersides scrapping since this trail was designed to max out your suspension.