If you’re seeking a nice walk in the woods enjoying the serenity of mature forest, walk the Staircase Rapid Loops in Olympic National Park. At just 2.1 miles and relatively flat, the loop makes a lovely day hike for those visiting the Staircase are and Hood Canal Walk the meandering trail through centuries-old Douglas firs and western redcedars, see stunning rapids and enjoy the peace. If you’re seeking a longer challenge, this is the start of a 15-mile roundtrip hike on the North Fork Skokomish River Trail to Flapjack Lakes.

Here’s how to hike the Staircase Rapids Loop in Olympic National Park.

How to Reach the Staircase Rapids Loop Trail

Staircase is in the southeastern part of Olympic National Park. It is a one-hour drive from Olympia and a two-hour drive from Port Angeles. From Hoodsport, follow directions to Lake Cushman. Drive along the lake’s east side on a narrow gravel road to the Staircase Entrance of Olympic National Park. Bring a map. Cell service and GPS are unreliable in this area. At the Staircase Ranger Station, walk over the bridge to the railhead.

What Is the Staircase Rapids Loop Trail Like?
Follow the trail through the old growth forest, draped in moss and fern, at times close to the Skokomish River. If you’d like, take the spur trail to the huge fallen cedar, giving you a chance to look at the root system of these giants. Cross the suspension bridge for a great viewpoint of the rapids. From the suspension bridge, follow the trail back to the ranger station.

Where Can I Camp Near the Staircase Rapids Loop?

The Big Creek Campground is nearby, offering 64 camping units in old growth forest. The sites accommodate tents, trailers and RVs. This is an excellent jumping-off point for hiking, fishing and swimming, as well as enjoying Lake Cushman and the Staircase entrance to Olympic National Park.

What Else Can I Hike in the Staircase Area?

North Fork Skokomish Trail
Immerse yourself into the lowland forest river valley and deep Olympic forest to gain incredible views of the Olympic Range on this 15.2-mile hike. You can day hike from the Staircase Ranger Station to the Duckabush River trail or use the various campsites to spend the night.

The most picturesque section is the First Divide – this is 13.1 miles from the Staircase trailhead.

If you’re hiking to Flapjack Lake, you’ll veer off the trail at 3.7 miles.

Flapjack Lakes
Take a long day hike or spend the night in the Sawtooth Range of the Olympic high country. Start on the North Fork Skokomish Trail and hike for 3.7 miles to the junction with the Flapjack Lakes Trail. Follow Madeline Creek and its many little waterfalls before the junction with the Black and White Lakes Trail. From here it’s a steady steep section to Flapjack Lakes. If you’re backpacking, set up camp here and day trip to Gladys Divide or over to Black and White Lakes.

Shady Lane Trail
A favorite of families year-round, the 2.1-mile roundtrip Shady Lane Trail takes you along the North Fork Skokomish River. To get to the trailhead, take Route 101 north to Hoodsport. Turn left to Lake Cushman State Park. Go left onto Forest Road 24. Go left across the bridge at the end of the lake. Drive up the dirt road to the access point to Shady Lane. Access the trail at the south end of the parking lot, veering left to have a snack or lunch on the riverside. Then, go left to hike north to the Staircase Ranger Station past tall cedars, giant Douglas firs and hemlocks. You can extend the hike by adding on the Staircase Rapids Loops trail.

Wagonwheel Lake Trail
If you’re seeking a good workout in a short amount of time, tackle the Wagonwheel Lake Trail. You’ll gain a fair amount of elevation over a short distance over root-riddled and rocky terrain. Follow a short section of steep switchbacks, then hike through lush forest with peek-a-boo peak views. The lake is small – the picnic areas are above it.

To reach the trail, turn left onto State Route 119 in Hoodsport. At a bit over 9 miles, turn left onto Forest Road 24. Drive 1.7 to where the road turns gravel, then 3.7 miles more to a junction. Turn right and drive 1.2 miles to the Staircase Ranger Station.

Mount Ellinor

When you’re facing the Olympics from across the water, Mount Ellinor is the southern-most peak on the eastern front. Gain bragging rights when you choose this challenging 6.2-mile roundtrip and gain some of the best views in the area. Choose from two trailheads, the lower of which at 2,600 feet gives you an easy grade at the beginning. The upper trailhead starts climbing steeply uphill immediately.

If you’re taking the lower trailhead, you’ll start in old growth forest with gentle switchbacks then past several ridgeline openings for views of Lake Cushman and far to the southeast. Keep in mind that the upper trailhead gains 2,444 feet of elevation gain in the 1.6 miles to the summit.

The upper and lower trailheads merge at 3,900 feet. Continue up switchbacks and stairsteps to a junction with a winter climbing route. Above the treeline, you’ll start to march up rocky slopes and across gravelly meadows, gaining a view into the southern Olympics. From the summit, enjoy your hard-earned 360-degree views and keep an eye out for the mountain goats who frequent the area.

What Can I Do at Lake Cushman?

Consider camping at Lake Cushman as your jumping-off point for hiking in the Staircase area. Spend at least a day or two enjoying the recreational opportunities the lake has to offer. The state park offers more than 500 acres with three boat access points on 41,500 feet of freshwater shoreline. Two day-use areas offer picnic shelters, volleyball, beach access and more.

From here, you’ll find trailheads for Big Creek, Mount Rose, Mount Ellinor, Dry Creek, Copper Creek, Wagonwheel Lake and Big Log Camp.