Hiking Dosewallips State Park on the Olympic Peninsula

Looking for more to explore near Hood Canal?
Head south to Staircase in Olympic National Park for a gorgeous riverside hike. Across the canal, check out Kitsap Memorial State Park for more camping opportunities.

CURRENT INFO

For information about Dosewallips State Park, visit the Washington State Parks website. Check the WTA (Washington Trails Association) webpage for trail reviews, and a good trail map is available on the AllTrails website. Information and maps are also included in the book Day Hiking Olympic Peninsula by Craig Romano.

GOOD TO KNOW

• As with other Washington State Parks, parking at Dosewallips State Park requires either a valid annual Discover Pass, or else a $10 day use pass. Passes can be purchased in person at the park. Check the Discover Pass website for a list of fee-free days.
• Parking is available near the campground entrance station and on the opposite side of Highway 101 near the beach. A few parking spots are also available near the hiker/biker campsites at the far end of the campground.
• You can hike the loop trail in either direction. We hiked it counterclockwise, starting off on the campground road that leads to the hiker/biker campsites before joining the Maple Valley Trail.
• The Steam Donkey and Maple Valley Trails are signed, but I recommend bringing a map for a better idea of the route. Download the map on AllTrails, or carry a copy of the book Day Hiking Olympic Peninsula by Craig Romano.
• New flush toilets are available in the campground across from the entrance station.
• Drinking water is available in the campground.
• A lovely picnic area is located near the beach.
• Pets on leash are allowed on the trails at Doewallips State Park. As always, be sure to clean up after your pets.
• Always follow Leave No Trace principles.

HIGHLIGHTS

The Steam Donkey Trail at Dosewallips State Park isn’t a destination hike, but it’s a great place to stretch your legs if you’re hanging out on Hood Canal. The lush forest invites exploration, and although it’s a mere stone’s throw from Highway 101, any hint of the rushing road disappears once you’re immersed in the verdant canopy.

THE KIDS’ TAKE

This hike at Dosewallips State Park was (almost) over too quickly for my eight-year-old to even have a chance to complain! In all seriousness, despite not wanting to hike, he found the trail pretty engaging once we got going. The hilly terrain and quaint wooden bridges are great for keeping active kids entertained. Plus, how fun is it to hike a trail named “Steam Donkey”? With a campground and beach in addition to trails, Dosewallips State Park is ideal for a quick family camping trip.

WHILE YOU’RE HERE

In addition to the Steam Donkey Trail, Dosewallips State Park features a pretty campground and beach access. There are cute little cabins for rent for those without a tent or RV, and the beach is a popular spot to dig for shellfish. Although the park straddles Highway 101, there is little to no road noise in the campground, and the highway remains out of sight.

This proximity to 101 makes Dowewallips State Park a convenient base for exploring many of the other natural wonders of the Olympic Peninsula. Head south to Lake Cushman and the Staircase area of Olympic National Park, home to one of our favorite short hikes on the peninsula. Or head north to Lake Crescent, Hurricane Ridge, and Sol Duc Falls. These are just a few of the marvels that await you in this magical corner of Washington State.

For post-hike sustenance, Quilbillies, located 15 minutes north of Dosewallips State Park in Quilcene, offers hearty burgers, sandwiches, and more.

As is not uncommon in the Pacific Northwest, Memorial Day weekend was marked by clouds and drizzle. On Monday morning, the sun finally began to peek through the clouds. It was just a little peek, mind you, but it was something. Reveling in a hint of sunshine, we drove up Highway 101 along the eastern side of the Olympic Peninsula, the road hugging the shores of Hood Canal.

We pulled into Dosewallips State Park around noon and found a parking spot near the ranger station at the campground entrance. Our older son had developed a cold over the weekend, so opted to rest in the car while Michael, eight-year-old T, and I headed out in search of the Steam Donkey Trail. We first followed the campground road toward the hiker/biker campsites, then took the dirt trail that branched off from the pavement. Not long after passing what appeared to be a group campsite on our left, we saw a sign for the Maple Valley Trail.

The Maple Valley Trail is a short out-and-back trail that passes through a magnificent forest of maples and evergreens, with tantalizing glimpses of the creek below. Resplendent in its new spring growth, the forest was almost impossibly lush and green.

T and I were delighted to discover an old stump encased in new tree roots. Well, the roots were newer than the stump at any rate, but obviously well established. “This is my favorite tree of this hike so far,” T proclaimed, and I had to agree.

We continued from the Maple Valley Trail onto the Steam Donkey Trail, crossing a lovely wooden bridge over Phantom Creek. At first, the creek bed appeared dry, until we saw a narrow stream of water trickling through the rocks above the bridge. Perhaps this is the reason behind its mysterious name?

The Steam Donkey Trail soon began to climb. We had to watch out for roots in the trail, but overall it was well-maintained and the soft dirt cushioned our feet. Eventually, the trail crossed a fire road. Just past the road we discovered another remarkable tree, one that had been struck by lightning more than two decades earlier.

It wasn’t long before the trail began to wind its way back down the hillside. We passed the Izzett Grade Trail and stayed straight, sticking with the Steam Donkey Trail. After passing a small marshy pond, we met up with the forest road once more. At this point, you’ll walk 20 or so feet along the road before meeting back up with the trail.

The trail zigzagged as we made our way back toward the campground. Here we passed a large blow down that managed to fall in just the right way to cross the trail not once, but twice. Fortunately, it wasn’t too difficult to pass. We were quite close to the park maintenance facilities at this point, so I imagine the path will be cleared soon.

Rather than take the longer route back to the Maple Valley Trail, we followed a short side trail to the campground road, turned left, and were soon back at our car. It may have been a quick hike, but all three of us (four, counting the dog) felt rejuvenated and refreshed. Sunshine or not, there’s nothing like a walk in the woods in the Pacific Northwest, and Doewallips State Park is a great place to do just that.