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Gifford Pinchot

Sunday, December 15, 2024

Trail Map

Other Names

High Lakes and Blue Lake Trail System, Gifford Pinchot OHV Area, Gifford Pinchot National Forest, Cowlitz Valley Ranger District, Blue Lake, Bishop Mountain, Juniper Ridge, Burley Mountain, Jumbo Peak, Sunrise Peak, Chain of Lakes Campground, Horsehoe Lake Campground, Table Mountain, Badger Peak, Craggy Peak, Adams Fork Campground, Dark Divide, Cispus River Valley, Tongue Mountain.

Last Known Status

Open

This large trail system primarily consists hundreds of miles of designated single track motorcycle trails and while it is mainly geared for the experienced rider there are some spots that have some beginner friendly trails that are wide enough for ATVs.

There are numerous campgrounds with direct trail access but the North Fork Campground provides access to the beginner friendly Valley Trail, a 16.7 mile long hard packed single track motorcycle trail that follows Forest Service Road 23 and heads south, eventually tying into Cat Creek Campground, which has a small trail loop.

Overall, this place is best explored on dirt bikes. The trail that is open to ATVs begins at the Blue Lake ORV Trailhead and ends at Forest Road 78.

To get the most of this area plan on staying at least a few days and print out the 2019 Gifford Pinchot National Forest MVUM.

Trail Map... Nearby ATV Trails...

REGULATIONS

Permit Required	Yes	WA ORV Tab and Northwest Forest Pass**
Dates Open	April through November, weather permitting
Other ATV Stickers Accepted	Unknown
Spark Arrestor	Yes	A spark arresting exhaust silencer or end cap is required for all vehicles.
Noise Limit	Yes (105 dB)
Whip Flags	Not Required
Maximum Vehicle Width	Yes (50 inches)	has entrance gate and narrow terrain designated ATV trails limited to 50" or less in width
Motorcycles & Dirt Bikes	Permitted	street legal motorcycles permitted on Forest Service Roads
ATVs	Some Areas	(maximum width 50 inches) permitted at Blue Lake ORV Trailhead and ends at Forest Road 78
UTV & SXS	Some Areas	Not Recommended (maximum width 50 inches) permitted at Blue Lake ORV Trailhead and ends at Forest Road 78
4x4 & Jeeps (registered)	Prohibited
Dune Buggy & Sand Rail 4x4 (unregistered)	Prohibited
2 Stroke Engines	No Restriction
MX Helmet Required	Yes
Camping	Some Areas	(camp in developed sites only)
Campfires	Some Areas	(permitted in developed campsites only)
Night Riding	Unknown	Not Recommended
Trail Blazing	Prohibited	stay on the trail
Rule Enforcement
Comment	ATVs are not allowed to ride from the North Fork Campground to the Valley Trail, only street legal motorcycles are. ATVs are generally not permitted on Forest Service Roads in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Most trails are very rugged and narrow.

TERRAIN

Approx Size	64,000 acres (100 sq mi)
Miles Of Trail	200
Climate Type	Forest
Elevation	1400 to 5000 ft.
Trail Maintenance	Marked, Not Rated, Lightly Maintained
Loose Dirt	Mostly
Hard Pack	Some
Sand	None
Mud	Some
Dust	Little
Rocks	Some
Trees	All
Steep Hills	Many
Water Crossings	Many
Small Jumps	Few
Large Jumps	None
Berms	Many
Sand/Gravel Pits	None
Single Track	Many
Roads	Some
Shade	Many
Hazards	Few	(hazards assumed marked but use caution)
Novice	Little
Amateur	Mostly
Expert	Some

TYPE OF AREA

Area	Motorized Trails

Land	National Forest

GPS POINTS

KEY SERVICES

Gasoline	5-20 Miles (NW)	Chevron (360) 497-3256
Diesel	5-20 Miles (NW)	Chevron (360) 497-3256
Water	On Site	North Fork, Blue Lake Creek, Adams Fork Campground have water
RV Hookup	5-20 Miles (NW)	U-Fish RV Park (360) 497-7680 or (888) 830-7089
RV Disposal	5-20 Miles (NW)	U-Fish RV Park (360) 497-7680 or (888) 830-7089
Campground	On Site
Conv Store	5-20 Miles (NW)	Chevron (360) 497-3256

FEES & PASSES

Parking	(None)
Entry	(None)
Riding	(None)
Camping	Yes Tent: $25.00 RV: $25.00 Addtl. Vehicle: $8.00 North Fork Campground Fee
Comment	Blue Lake Campground Fee - $20/night, $8/extra vehicle. Adams Fork Campground Fee - $25/night, $8/extra vehicle. Cat Creek Campground - $20/night, $8/extra vehicle

RATINGS

Our Rating	Very Good
Recommended Stay	3-5 Days
Comments	(Scroll Down For Rider Reviews & Comments)

DRIVING DIRECTIONS

Nearest City

Randle, WA

Trail Map

From: Olympia, WA
For North Fork Campground:
1) Take I-5 South to Exit 68
2) Turn left (east) off the exit ramp onto US-12, continue about 48 miles
3) Turn right (south) onto WA-131, continue 1 mile
4) Turn left (east) onto Woods Way, continue .25 miles
5) Veer left onto Cispus Road, continue about 11 miles (road name will change to NF-23)
6) Campground entrance is on the left (north).

For Blue Lake Creek Campground:
7) Continue past the entrance for North Fork Campground on NF-23 about 4.5 miles
8) Campground entrance is on the left (east).

For Adams Fork Campground:
9) Continue south past Blue Lake Creek Campground on NF-23 about 2.5 miles
10) Continue straight onto NF-21, continue 4.6 miles
11) Campground entrance is on the right (south).

For Cat Creek Campground:
12) Continue east on NF-121 past Blue Lake Creek Campground 1.5 miles
13) Campground entrance is on the right.

OFFICIAL CONTACTS

Contact Info

Gifford Pinchot National Forest - Cowlitz Valley Ranger District
10024 US Hwy 12
Randle, WA 98377
(360) 497-1103
sm.fs.r6_gp_forest@usda.gov
www.fs.usda.gov