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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
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Capitol State Forest
View from Expedition 72, October 2024
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]
OperatorWashington State Department of Natural Resources
Websitednr.wa.gov

The Capitol State Forest is a 110,000-acre (450 km2) state forest in Thurston and Grays Harbor counties in Washington, used for both commercial logging operations and recreation. The forest, containing the Black Hills, is surrounded by various preserves and wildlife areas; it contains Mima mounds geologic features and is the headwater for McLane Creek. Capitol State Forest is managed by Washington State Department of Natural Resources and considered public land.[2][3]

History

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Prior to logging in the early 20th century, large old-growth trees up to 250 feet (76 m) in height and 12 feet (3.7 m) in diameter occupied the forest.[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.[5]

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.

Recreation

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The forest is open to the public for off-road motorcycles,[6] mountain biking,[7][8] horseback riding,[9] and hiking.[10]

McLane Creek

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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.[11]

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.[2]

Mima Mounds

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The forest includes Mima mounds geologic features, located at the Mima Mounds Natural Area Preserve.[12]

Mountain biking

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Several Cross-country cycling and Downhill mountain biking trail systems are maintained by volunteers throughout the forest.[13]

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Capitol Peak". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved July 2, 2025.
  2. ^ a b Scruggs, Gregory (November 29, 2024). "Opt outside on Black Friday to duck waddle on this Thurston County trail". The Seattle Times. Retrieved June 15, 2025.
  3. ^ "Capitol State Forest". Experience Olympia. Retrieved June 16, 2025.
  4. ^ Felt, Margaret Elley (1975). "Capitol Forest : the forest that came back : the future of Capitol Forest". HathiTrust. Olympia: Washington State Department of Natural Resources. p. 16. Retrieved July 3, 2025.
  5. ^ "Recreation and Trail Map, Capitol State Forest" (PDF). Washington State Department of Natural Resources. August 20, 2012. Retrieved June 16, 2025.
  6. ^ "Motorcycle and ATV". www.capitolforest.com. Retrieved June 16, 2025.
  7. ^ "Mountain Biking". www.capitolforest.com. Retrieved June 16, 2025.
  8. ^ "Capitol Forest". Singletracks Mountain Bike News. November 24, 2018. Retrieved June 16, 2025.
  9. ^ "Equestrian". www.capitolforest.com. Retrieved June 16, 2025.
  10. ^ Romano, Craig (2017). Urban Trails: Olympia: Capitol State Forest/ Shelton/ Harstine Island. Mountaineers Books. p. 18. ISBN 978-1-68051-027-0.
  11. ^ "Capitol State Forest - McLane Creek". Washington Trails Association. Retrieved June 16, 2025.
  12. ^ "Capitol State Forest". Washington State Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved June 16, 2025.
  13. ^ "Capitol Forest Overview". Friends of Capitol Forest. Retrieved July 2, 2025.
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