As the eastern Gateway to the Olympic Peninsula, Dosewallips State Park highlights the diverse ecosystems of Washington state. Home to both freshwater from the Dosewallips River and saltwater from Puget Sound’s Hood Canal, this state park combines the biodiversity from mountains, rainforests, beaches and deltas. Overall, it is an ideal hub from which to explore the rich, natural abundance of this region. Here’s my wonderful experience camping with hiking trail tips for this area.
This 425-acre camping park is open year-round, filled with hiking trails for all levels to pristine waterfalls, beaches and rainforests. Popular hiking trails include Murhut Falls, Ranger Hole, Falls View Canyon, Dosewallips River Road and Rocky Brook Falls and Hood Canal Walking Trail.
Dosewallips Campground
Near the mouth of the Dosewallips River, Dosewallips Campground sits on the estuary along the Hood Canal delta. Its grassy grounds are also surrounded by rainforests. A herd of elk live in the area and at times graze inside the campground. We woke up to a herd of elk outside our tents. The campground is $20/night with restrooms and hot showers costing $1 for 3 minutes. Rainforest trailheads are accessible from the campgrounds. For example, there is the Maple Valley Loop trail (1.5 mi) and Steam Donkey Loop trail (2.1 mi). Someone saw a bear on this trail the day before we walked these trails. Overall, it’s a wonderful hub from which to explore the rainforests, beaches and waterfalls.Â
Hiking Trails – Dosewallips State Park Highlights
Murhut Falls Trail – Near Ranger Hole Trail, this 1.6 mile RT hike takes you to the stunning 2-tiered Murhut Falls, plunging 130 feet into a ravine. The trail is relatively flat most of the way and gets steep as you get closer to the falls. Visitors swim in the clear, cold waters and the brave ones hike up to the midpoint of the falls.
Ranger Hole Trail – Near Murhut Falls Trail, this 1.6-mile hike is easy and flat most of the way, except it gets steep at the end where you see the whirlpool. Overall, the trail takes you past the old log cabin Ranger home and by the Interrorum Nature Trail (.25 mil) for a walk through second growth rainforests with ferns and moss. The turquoise waters of the Duckabush River are stunning, funneled through narrow canyon walls. The trail takes you above the waters to see below the rushing, effervescent water as a whirlpool.
Falls View Canyon Trail – This trailhead parking is at the Falls View Canyon Campground. The 1.5-mile moderate trail takes you to a waterfall and swimming hole. This makes for a nice spot to cool off on a hot day.
Dosewallips State Park is unique with both its freshwater shorelines from the river and saltwater from the Hood Canal for a variety of activities.
Dosewallips River Road Trail – At the end of the road is the trailhead for this trail near Brinnon, WA. It is a moderate 12.6 up and back trail taking you along the river and through pristine rainforests. On the road before the trailhead, we stopped at the Rocky Brook Falls, a stunning horsetail waterfall cascading down into the brook. It’s just 200 yards along the brook off the road. Also, visitors scramble over big boulders to dip their feet in the waters and swim.
Hood Canal Walking Trail – Just north of the Dosewallips Campground is the Hood Canal Walking Trailhead. This provides trails through the estuary and is a hotspot for clamming. Also, this is a great place for beachcombing at low tide for shellfish, jellyfish and other marine life.
Overall…
The Dosewallips State Park is an incredible hub from which to explore a biodiversity of beaches, mountains, rivers, waterfalls, estuaries and rainforests. Within this park visitors marvel at the abundant natural beauty from this inspiring region of Washington state.
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