Washington Off-Road Trails

Pole Creek Road is a 6.4-mile trail in the Okanogan Wenatchee National Forest. It is a fun trail with difficult sections and provides great views.

The first part of this trail consists of graded dirt and is relatively easy. The road becomes much more difficult at the intersection of Dirty Pole Road, FR 6305511, but this is where the excellent views begin. The trail becomes quite narrow, with several steep slopes.

There are many excellent views of the lake and the valley in this last section of the trail, and several campsites of various sizes.

Please be advised that the end of the road is the end of the gpx file for this road. The road is shown to continue on various maps, but in reality, it is extremely overgrown and is only passable for 100 feet before it dead ends, with little room to turn around. Also, maps may show a road down the ridge towards the lake, but this road is on private property and has several no-trespassing signs, so it should not be entered.

Overall, this is a fun trail, with excellent views and somewhat difficult obstacles to make it interesting. This trail is great for people who want to experience beautiful sightseeing locations, explore more technical terrain, or want to find a quiet campground near great views.

Hole in the Wall connects Cooper Ranch Road with FS29 and gives you a great little beginner drive with some lovely views as you get closer to FS29 and start to run along the ridgeline there. The road is comprised mostly of gravel and mixed with potholes, with rough spots where it's loose and presents traction issues. You may wish for 4WD and at least a little bit of clearance for rocks on this drive.

There are some pretty mountain and forest views as you proceed up the road, alternating sides of the ridgeline so your driver and passengers get views throughout the drive. Dispersed camping consists of a few closed-down road spurs that are large enough to pull off for a night of camping if needed.

Hutchins Road in Washington State is a picturesque thoroughfare that begins in the charming town of Ellensburg and winds its way through the stunning landscape of Kittitas County. The road is well-maintained until you enter the Murray Wildlife Area. Take it slow and steady through this rocky section. In the early spring months, this section of the road will probably be a muddy mess. This scenic road provides easy access to the Manastash Recreation Area, making it a popular route for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers. The road starts at a gate for the Murray Wildlife Area and is only open from May 1st - December 14th. As Hutchins Road continues on its journey, it eventually crosses into the Okanogan Wenatchee National Forest and connects with Mastash Road/FS-31, offering a seamless transition for those looking to explore the natural beauty and recreational opportunities that abound in this region. With its convenient access and breathtaking surroundings, Hutchins Road is a must-visit destination for anyone seeking adventure and tranquility in the heart of Washington State.

Manastash Road, known as FS-31, located in the Okanogan-Wenatche National Forest, stretches gracefully for 18.9 miles, embarking on a journey from the charming town of Ellensburg, Washington, and winding its way west to the majestic Quartz Mountain. Most of the road is well maintained, but in the upper elevation there is no maintenance done, so it gets a bit rocky and uneven. Along this scenic route, adventure beckons with easy access to the renowned Manastash 4x4 trails, where rugged terrain meets the thrill of off-road exploration. This route allows easy access to the Moon Rocks and the playful Funny Rocks play area, where you can test your rig on some technical Rock-crawling. Manastash Road is a gateway to endless possibilities, where the beauty of the Pacific Northwest unfolds in all its splendor.

Goat Ranch Road W is a well-maintained forest service access road that will take you to Oak Patch Lake, 4x4 Access Point, Camp Spillman Campground, and Tahuya River Horse Camp. Tahuya River Horse Camp is open for camping on weekends only, from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.  The trail dead-ends at a stagnant lake.

In the Gifford Pinchot National Forest just outside Packwood, WA, FS 63 is a well-maintained forest service road that climbs up and around Purcell Mountain to over 4500 feet. The road travels through beautiful groves of old-growth forest with a mix of hardwoods, and if you are lucky enough to be traveling in the Fall, the yellow leaves contrast with the darker evergreen trees. There are beautiful views of Mt. Adams to the south and Mt. Rainier looking north, as well as a vast view for miles to the west that seems to go on forever. The road connects with FS 47 after a beautiful 15-mile drive down the other side of the mountain. An excellent connector road would be onto FS 85 for a 22-mile drive to Ashford, WA, and the Mt. Rainier National Park entrance on U.S. 706.

While no camping spots are close to the road, many side roads look to lead to fantastic views with better camping opportunities.

Roosevelt Beach is accessible right off Roosevelt Beach Road, with firm sand near the water that’s easy to drive on. The sand gets much softer as you get closer to the dunes, so it’s best to stick to the packed areas unless you’re prepared for soft sand. Be sure to air down before trekking into the sand.

It’s usually quieter than other nearby beaches, which makes it a nice spot for a peaceful drive. Just south of the entrance is a small airport, and you might catch a plane taking off or landing right on the beach.

Camping and overnight parking aren’t allowed, but restrooms are available right at the entrance. If you’re planning to hang out for a while, keep an eye on the tides, and remember that fires need to be at least 100 feet from the dunes. And if you end up driving through any saltwater, make sure to rinse your undercarriage afterward!

Green Divide North is an important trail that connects Tacoma Pass to Plum Creek on the Stampede Pass Overland Route (SPOR). Most people only travel a few miles on this trail as part of their overland journey. However, those who choose to explore the entire trail will be rewarded with a narrow yet spectacular drive through old growth in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. The trail's other half, Green Divide South, is also part of the route and connects travelers to complete the SPOR.

The Sitkum Sol Duc Connector road goes between the Sitkum Sol Duc Road (FS29) and the South Fork Sol Duc Road. Starting at FS29, it traverses a ridgeline for a few miles before cutting over and running along the side of the mountain for a bit. About 4 miles from FS29, there's a severe landslide at the moment with a significant drop down the mountain if you don't make it. Take this section seriously and plan your approach across it. 4WD would be required at a minimum for this, and a narrow vehicle and/or short wheelbase would have an easier time due to the layout of the rocks

Aside from the landslide, the road surface is mostly gravel and in reasonably good condition. Traffic on this route isn't enough to keep the brush at bay, so be prepared for pinstripes or a bit of work with some cutting tools to widen the path enough for your vehicle.

Camping is mostly non-existent on the road, though there are a couple of pull-off spots that might do in a pinch if you're looking for a spot or really like the view.

Located in the Mt. Baker / Snoqualmie National Forest and part of the Evans Creek ORV. Trail #196 is one of a dozen trails designated for 4x4 use for over 45 miles of trail riding. Trails are well marked and even rated from easy to most complex. This trail challenges the driver and vehicle with demanding, rocky hill climbs. The trail climbs up to 4000 feet in elevation, connects with Trail #197 and Trail #198, and gives you access to Trail #520. After the hill climbs, the trail levels out and takes you through beautiful old-growth timber. The spring flowers are something to behold.