West Elwha River Trail
Table of contents
Route Description for West Elwha River Trail
The West Elwha River Trail is a beautiful moderate hike along the river that is suitable for most hikers and ages. Note that the Elwha area is currently closed to vehicle traffic beyond the Madison Falls parking lot at the park boundary due to severe road washout. The Olympic Hot Springs Road is open to bicycle/pedestrian traffic beyond the Madison Falls parking lot, but this trail is now best accessed from the opposite side on Herrick Road. For more information, please check with the National Park Service.
Begin on Herrick Road at the new trailhead. You’ll begin by walking along private property, but you’ll soon dive into thick ferns and dense forest, which is fabulous. Watch for downed trees in the forest that may require a bit of climbing to get around.
Walk alongside the river, taking care on any slippery and muddy sections of trail. While there is no direct river access from the campground site, you can explore further in this area quite easily. If this is your objective, turn around and retrace your steps back to the parking area
Getting to the West Elwha River Trail Trailhead
The trailhead for the West Elwha River Trail is on Herrick Road near the intersection with Wapiti Way.Route Information
Backcountry Campground:
Altair Campground
When to do:
June-October
Pets allowed:
No
Family friendly:
Yes
Route Signage:
Average
Crowd Levels:
High
Route Type:
Out and back
West Elwha River Trail Elevation Graph
Weather Forecast
Check Area WeatherReviews
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