| Capitol State Forest | |
|---|---|
.jpg) View fromExpedition 72, October 2024 | |
 Show zoomed in Show zoomed midway Show zoomed outInteractive map of Capitol State Forest | |
| Location | Thurston,Washington, United States |
| Nearest city | Tumwater, Washington |
| Coordinates | 46°58′21.8″N123°8′19.49″W / 46.972722°N 123.1387472°W /46.972722; -123.1387472[1] |
| Area | 111,000 acres (450 km2) |
| Elevation | 2,658 ft (810 m)[1] |
| Operator | Washington State Department of Natural Resources |
| Website | dnr.wa.gov |
TheCapitol State Forest is a 110,000-acre (450 km2)state forest inThurston andGrays Harbor counties inWashington, used for both commerciallogging operations and recreation. The forest, containing theBlack Hills, is surrounded by various preserves and wildlife areas; it containsMima mounds geologic features and is the headwater forMcLane Creek. Capitol State Forest is managed byWashington State Department of Natural Resources and consideredpublic land.[2][3]
Prior to logging in the early 20th century, largeold-growth trees up to 250 feet (76 m) in height and 12 feet (3.7 m) in diameter occupied the forest.[4]
Capitol Forest is approximately bounded byU.S. Route 12 to the southwest,Interstate 5 to the east andState Route 8 to the north.[5]
It roughly contains theBlack Hills. TheMima Mounds Natural Area Preserve is directly east and units of theScatter 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 includeOlympia,Tumwater,Littlerock,Oakville, andMcCleary.
The forest is open to the public foroff-road motorcycles,[6]mountain biking,[7][8]horseback riding,[9] andhiking.[10] Severalcross-country cycling anddownhill mountain biking trail systems are maintained by volunteers throughout the forest.[11]
As of 2025[update], on ongoing project has been undertaken by the city of Olympia to connect existing trails in areas and neighborhoods between Capitol Forest and theWashington State Capitol campus. The commuter, "multi-modal" system is known as the Capitol to Capitol (CTC) trail.[12]
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, with an additional 1.0-mile (1.6 km) extension, it contains a mix of boardwalks and natural pathways with wildlife viewing platforms.[13]
Visitors can walk toMcLane Creek, theheadwaters of which begin in the forest, and throughwetland areas andsecond growth forest. Visitors can view avian wildlife such asCanadian geese,kingfishers, andmallards and the creek is host to migratingChum salmon, usually in December.[2]
The forest includesMima mounds geologic features, located at theMima Mounds Natural Area Preserve.[14]
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