Staircase Trailhead — Attraction in Shelton

This was a fantastic early June hike with a ferry boat ride and scenic drive from Seattle it’s a day trip well worth the day!

As reviewers note, the one difficulty was the gravel road approach to the campground and trailhead but if you drive slowly it will be fine and with beautiful views of Lake Cushman and tree covered hills along the way, passengers will have plenty to marvel at while bouncing along down the road.

The Ranger station on the way in allows you to pay for the day ($30) or purchase annual passes. The bathrooms are non-flush toilets and were clean (but still a pit toilet so hold your nose).

Don’t miss pulling into the marked viewpoint (it shows up on Google Maps too) on the way there or back where you can sit at picnic tables or just take it all in.

This hike was a fantastic starter hike with mild challenges that even this broken old lady could handle. Great for all ages and you can’t go wrong in Olympic National Park.

For those who want more distance the trail connects with a 15 mile section that connects to even more so check the map and make your plans accordingly.

We stuck to the simple loop which offered plenty of up hills but not too steep. Take the brief cedar side trip. Look for options when crossing the creek, there’s choices for all levels. This trail is not wheel chair friendly but if you can walk with hiking sticks it’s worth it.

We stopped at the stream on the second half for an icey foot bath—extremely therapeutic and highly recommend!

Start at the bridge after the bathrooms and go clockwise so you’ll have the river rushing at you but don’t turn back half way as others suggest—the second half is unique with streams and that perfect piney quiet footfall and fresh air smell the Olympic National Forest...

In order to access this trail, you will need to go through like 2-miles of gravel road with some pretty serious pot holes, then it becomes paved again. There is a little pay station that someone may or may not be present at depending on time. As for the trail, you are able to access it two ways! One is you go across the bridge to access the trail; that way is the longer portion which has some elevation gain. As well as pretty nice trail offs along the skokomish river for up close views. The second way is on the opposite end of the parking lot next to the ranger station. This route takes you to the bridge, but is shorter, and relatively flat. More of a brisk walk with views of the forest rather than the river. I did see people with kids and I think it is dog friendly, but please clean after your dog in consideration of campers and wildlife. You pass one or two other trails on your way to this one, like Mt. Rose, so if you are up for...

This is a great and easy hike in the National Park. If you love big trees, bearded rocks, and the most beautiful water, you'll love this hike. It's actually my wife's favorite. I like a little more elevation and challenge, but this is perfect for the family. I recommend using the trail by the small lower parking lot and bathrooms that crosses a bridge immediately and then plunges into the woods. Don't forget to take the almost immediate side trip to the left to see the giant cedar tree. It's a natural jungle gym and perfect spot for pictures. Watch for a right turn toward the bridge in just under a mile, and then you can go across and do a loop (turn right after the bridge). That loop will take you to the upper parking lot in just about a mile. That side is more of a fairy forest. If you really enjoyed the views on the way up, then turn around after the bridge and go back the same way. It's a...