Boulder River Trail
Table of contents
Boulder River Trail is a 14.2 km moderately trafficked out and back trail in Boulder River Wilderness that is rated as moderate. This hike delivers the best of Washington’s natural beauty: a hidden waterfall, old-growth trees, and a backdrop of mountains. You’ll need to be very careful on the road leading to the trailhead (potholes galore!), but this is a wonderful hike.
Route Description for Boulder River Trail
Boulder River Trail is a splendid outing, leading through a moss-clad ancient forest to a hidden waterfall. The trail is a bit longer, but the elevation gain is moderate and gradual, and it sees less traffic than other nearby hikes. It can be overgrown in spots, but you should be able to find your way without incident.
The hike begins through a beautiful forest, paralleling its namesake river. You’ll pass a few falls on your hike, but Feature Show Falls are by far the most impressive, splitting into two streams over a mossy gorge wall. Some hikers swim here, but the water is cold!
The trail gets rocky and rooty after the first falls, so watch your step. There are occasionally downed trees on the trail, but you should be able to climb over them without too much trouble.
You can either turn around after the second falls, or continue a bit further to have a break on the shore of the river. Either way, you’ll retrace your steps to return to the trailhead.
Getting to the Boulder River Trail Trailhead
The trailhead for the Boulder River Trail is at the end of French Creek Road off Highway 530.
Route Information
Backcountry Campground:
No
When to do:
March-October
Pets allowed:
Yes - On Leash
Family friendly:
No
Route Signage:
Poor
Crowd Levels:
Moderate
Route Type:
Out and back
Boulder River Trail Elevation Graph
Weather Forecast
Check Area WeatherReviews
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