Capitol State Forest

Capitol State Forest is a large nature reserve in Washington featuring diverse ecosystems across different elevations. The area offers over 150 miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and other outdoor activities.

The forest was established in the 1930s to balance sustainable timber production with natural resource management. Over the decades, this approach has developed to include recreational use alongside forestry operations.

The forest plays an important role for local communities by providing space for outdoor recreation and connection to nature. Visitors from nearby towns use these trails and areas as places to spend time with family and friends.

Visitors need to obtain a Discover Pass before exploring the forest to access all areas and trails. The best times to visit are spring through fall, when trails are passable and weather is stable for outdoor activities.

The area contains the Mima Mounds, a distinctive geological formation with hundreds of rounded earth mounds scattered across the landscape. These mounds formed through natural processes that scientists still debate, making this feature unusually striking.

Location: Thurston County

Operator: Washington State Department of Natural Resources

Website: https://dnr.wa.gov/Capitol

GPS coordinates: 46.94457,-123.17126

Latest update: December 10, 2025 16:29