Capitol Forest is a large state forest just outside of Olympia managed by DNR. The forest is 91,650 acres (150 square miles) with 166 miles of singletrack and 575 miles of gravel road. There is a wide
Capitol Forest is a large state forest just outside of Olympia managed by DNR. The forest is 91,650 acres (150 square miles) with 166 miles of singletrack and 575 miles of gravel road. There is a wide variety of rides you can put together here, ranging from 5 mile road rides to 40+ mile singletrack epics.
How to Find It
A very good ride guide can be found at http://www.capitolforest.com/mtbrideguidepageNEW.html
Also, If you have a smart phone, download the Maprika app then from there download the "Capitol State Forest Topo" and the "Capitol State Forest Trail" maps onto your phone. GPS enabled, tracking, location sharing, etc.
Typical Conditions
Wide variety, tons of trails. Lots of good flow to be had.
Local Points of Interest
The Mima Mounds are a unique geographical feature to the area and are just off the south east side of the forest.
Stop by Olympia and lobby for more trail funding!
After a long ride and/or hobnobbing (or is that hobknobbying?) with your local legislator, post-ride beers and excellent food can be had at the Fish Bowl on 5th and Jefferson. The Organic Amber is a local favorite, and you can't go wrong with the Oyster Burger or the Fish and Chips.
Advocacy & Stewardship
Friends of Capitol Forest (FOCF) does a ton of great trail work out here. FOCF was started by mountain bikers, but welcomes all trail users. Come on out and join a work party.
Trail descriptions, maps, suggested routes and work schedules can be found here:
- https://friendsofcapitolforest.org/
- https://www.facebook.com/pages/Friends-of-Capitol-Forest/244203692257829
Turn by Turn
Tons of Rides here - some involving gravel road climbs and many all on trails. Some trails only biking, some biking and horses(May to November) and some biking and motos.
Some suggested routes can be found here: Friends of Capitol Forest Suggested Routes
everything from 10 miles to 30 miles.
And trail descriptions here: Descriptions
and descriptions and lots of GPX downloadable files under RIDE PLANS on Trailforks.
