Capitol State Forest

{{Infobox protected area

| name = Capitol State Forest

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| photo = File:McLane_Creek_Nature_Pond_02.jpg

| photo_caption = Beaver dam and pond with hills of the Capitol State Forest beyond

| map = USA Washington#USA

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| map_size = 280

| map_caption = Location in the state of Washington

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| location = Thurston, Washington, United States

| nearest_city = Tumwater, Washington

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| coordinates = {{Coord|46|58|21.8|N|123|8|19.49|W|format=dms|region:US-WA|display=inline,title}}

| coords_ref = {{cite gnis|1503802|Capitol Peak}}

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| area_acre = 111,000

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| elevation = {{convert|2,658|ft|m|abbr=on}}

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| operator = Washington State Department of Natural Resources

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| website = [http://www.dnr.wa.gov/Capitol Official website]

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The Capitol State Forest is a {{convert|110,000|acre|km2|adj=on}} state forest in Thurston and Grays Harbor counties of the U.S. state of Washington.{{cite web | url=https://www.dnr.wa.gov/Capitol | title=Capitol State Forest | WA - DNR }} It includes part of the unusual Mima Mounds geologic feature.

Description

The Capitol State Forest is managed by Washington State Department of Natural Resources and considered public land. It is a multi-use forest with active logging operations and is open for off-road motorcycles, mountain biking, horseback riding, and hiking.{{cite book | last=Romano | first=Craig | title=Urban Trails: Olympia: Capitol State Forest/ Shelton/ Harstine Island | publisher=Mountaineers Books | year=2017 | isbn=978-1-68051-027-0 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=g504DwAAQBAJ&pg=PA18 | page=18}}

Geography

Capitol Forest is approximately bounded by U.S. Route 12 to the southwest, Interstate 5 to the east and State Route 8 to the north. It roughly contains the Black Hills. The Mima Mounds Natural Area Preserve is directly east and units of the Scatter Creek Wildlife Area, such as the Black River Wildlife Area and Glacial Heritage Wildlife Area, are to the southeast.

Cities and towns near its borders include Olympia, Tumwater, Littlerock, Oakville, and McCleary.

Amenities and recreation

File:McLane Creek Nature Trail Pond - beaver dam pano 01 (cropped to square).jpg

File:Two people hike in Capitol State Forest along a recent clear cut 01.jpg

The forest contains the McLane Creek Nature Trail located in an eastern portion of the park. A flat, {{convert|1.1|mi|adj=on}} looping trail, with an additional {{convert|1.0|mi|adj=on}} extension, it contains a mix of boardwalks and natural pathways with wildlife viewing platforms. Visitors can walk to McLane Creek, the headwaters of which begin in the forest, and through wetland areas and second growth forest. Visitors can view avian wildlife such as Canadian geese, kingfishers, and mallards and the creek is host to migrating Chum salmon, usually in December.{{cite news |last1=Scruggs |first1=Gregory |title=Opt outside on Black Friday to duck waddle on this Thurston County trail |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/life/outdoors/opt-outside-on-black-friday-to-duck-waddle-on-this-thurston-county-trail/ |access-date=December 3, 2024 |work=The Seattle Times |date=November 29, 2024}}

References

External links

[http://www.capitolforest.com/ Capitol Forest Community Website]
[https://www.singletracks.com/bike-trails/capitol-forest.html mountain biking guide at singletracks.com]
[http://www.friendsofcapitolforest.org/ Friends of Capitol Forest volunteer organization]
[https://web.archive.org/web/20070221172801/http://www.dnr.wa.gov/htdocs/adm/comm/2004_news_releases/nr04_015factsheet.pdf Mima Mounds Natural Area Preserve]

Category:Washington (state) state forests

Category:Protected areas of Thurston County, Washington

Category:Protected areas of Grays Harbor County, Washington