20 Best Washington Off Road Trails

Washington’s wide open spaces, mountains, and national forests provide endless off-road opportunities for all skill levels. Some trails are beginner-friendly, and some are less forgiving. If you’re planning to check out the best off road trails in Washington State, get the proper permits and passes beforehand, and make sure your off-road vehicle is up to the task.

Washington’s off-road trail networks offer riders plenty of areas to explore. Enjoy the scenery in Ahtanum State Forest or take on Twin Sisters and Mack King’s challenging routes. There are easy and difficult trails for all skill levels and experience.

Here are the 20 best off-road trails in Washington State:

1. Ahtanum State Forest
2. Beverly Dunes
3. Bradley Trails ORV Area
4. Cle Elum ORV Area
5. Evans Creek ORV Area
6. Grays Harbor ORV
7. Horn Rapids ORV Park
8. Juniper Dunes OHV Area
9. Liberty Lake ORV Park
10. Little Pend Oreille ORV Trail System
11. Moses Lake Mud Flats and Sand Dunes
12. Owl Mountain Trail
13. Reiter Foothills State Forest
14. Riverside State Park ORV Area
15. Saddle Mountain
16. Tahuya State Forest Trail System
17. Thompson Ridge Trail
18. Twin Sisters And Mack King Trails
19. Walker Valley ORV Area
20. Wilbur Meadows ORV Park

Washington is an excellent destination for your next off-road adventure. Remember to get a WA ORV Tab and Washington Discover Pass before your trip. Also, make sure check out each trail’s website for more information on rules and conditions.

Discover some of the beauties the state has to offer. Here are some of the top trails and off road parks in Washington.

20 Best Washington Off Road Trails

1. Ahtanum State Forest

Ahtanum State Forest has more than 70 miles of terrain to explore. Expect loose dirt, sand, rocks, berms, and steep hills. The park is open year-round with campgrounds that have direct access to the trail. Most have a picnic table, but you have to bring water as there are no potable sources around. There is no fee for riding or camping. Check out the Washington DNR – Southeast Region Office for more information.

2. Beverly Dunes

Also known as Lower Crab Creek, Grant County, or Columbia River, the Beverly Sand Dune offers more than 300 acres of sandy trails. It’s a great practice area for beginners or amateurs with its few steep hills, large jumps, and many small jumps. The site is open to OHV vehicles year-round.

A spacious parking space is available with plenty of picnic sites overlooking Crab Creek. Parking, entry, riding, and camping are all free.

3. Bradley Trails ORV Area

Bradley Trails ORV Area is open year-round and offers 8 miles of mostly loose dirt trails that can become very muddy and slippery during wet weather. Some of the paths are quite rocky with some steep hills. The trails are mostly for amateurs, but there are also some for novices and experts.

Camping facilities are available at the nearby Elochoman Slough Marina. The park’s staging area is for day-use parking only.

4. Cle Elum ORV Area

Cle Elum ORV Area sits on more than 375,000 acres of land and offers more than 200 miles of mostly loose dirt trails open from June 15 – October 15. There are several trailheads and campgrounds available. Most campsites are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. A large part of the trail system is for single-track motorcycle and ATV trails. Beginners should try exploring newbie-friendly trails at Taneum Junction and Icewater Creek Campgrounds.

The trail system is usually closed during spring thaw from around late March until the middle of July. However, there are also cases when some sections of the trail are closed for maintenance, so it’s a good idea to call the Cle Elum Ranger District before you haul. Only motorcycles, dirt bikes, and ATVs can use the trails.

5. Evans Creek ORV Area

Evans Creek ORV Area is also known by various other names such as Carbon River Valley, Poch Peak, August Peak, Toimie Creek, and Snoqualmie Ranger. The park offers more than 45 miles of designated trails that range from easy single tracks to narrow and adventure-filled 4×4 trails with off-camber sections. The trails will take riders through spots where they can see incredible views of the majestic Mt. Rainier. 

To ride or camp at the park, you must secure a Northwest Forest Pass. You can purchase this online or at the Chevron Gas Station in Buckley. The mostly hard-packed trails are open from April to December 15.

There are designated areas for camping on a first-come, first-serve basis. Campsite amenities include picnic tables, a fire ring, a water pump, and vault toilets. For more information about the park, fees, etc., contact Mt. Baker – Snoqualmie National Forest.

6. Grays Harbor ORV

Formerly known as the Straddleline ORV Park, Grays Harbor ORV is a 155-acre park that offers 8 miles of directional trail system, 4×4 trails, single-track trails, and a 1/8 mile dirt oval flat track. There are also three motocross tracks — the main, junior, and beginner tracks. The park has direct access to more than 100 miles of multi-use trails at the Capitol State Forest for those who want more riding adventures.

There is no need to secure a permit, but there are entrance, riding, and camping fees. The park is open only during weekends. Unfavorable weather may cause sudden closures, so it’s best to call before you head out. All trails are open to motorcycles, dirt bikes, and ATVs. Some areas (not in the track area) permit UTV, SXS, Jeeps, dune buggy, and sand rail.

Camping is allowed in developed sites only. There are over 300 campsites that visitors can reserve for an additional fee. Campsite amenities include restrooms, hot showers, and picnic shelters. There’s also a concession stand and parts trailer during summer weekends.

7. Horn Rapids ORV Park

Horn Rapids ORV Park sits on 500 acres of land. It offers more than 80 miles of marked trails, an obstacle course, a motocross, peewee, an ATV track, and a go-kart track. There’s also a model aircraft field.

During winter, the park is only open during weekends; the rest of the year, it’s open on Thursdays through Sundays. The hours of operation may vary, so keep in mind to check the park’s hotline for details.

Vehicles should have a WA ORV Permit. Motorcycles, dirt bikes, and ATVs are permitted on all the trails, while there are areas where UTV, SXS, and 4×4 Jeeps are allowed. 

Camping is allowed in developed sites. Maintenance generally grooms the paths 2-3 times a year. Visit the park’s website for more info.

8. Juniper Dunes OHV Area

The 3,920-acre Juniper Dunes OHV Area offers several dunes and sandy trails through miles of sagebrush and juniper trees. The park is open year-round to motorcycles, dirt bikes, ATVs, UTV, SXS, 4×4, Jeeps, dune buggy, and sand rail. There are designated wilderness areas in which certain vehicles are not permitted, so check them before riding.

9. Liberty Lake ORV Park

Liberty Lake ORV Park offers more than 16 miles of mostly hard-packed trails that are open year-round. Temporary closures may occur during fire season (around August or September) or wet weather conditions. The trails are regularly maintained, marked but not rated. The weight limit for ATVs is 1000 pounds. 

Camping is prohibited, but there are RV sites and tent sites available at Liberty Lake Park. Riding hours are only from 8 am to a half hour before dusk, and trailblazing is not allowed; riders must stay on the trail.

10. Little Pend Oreille ORV Trail System

The trail system offers 67 miles of marked, unrated, and lightly maintained designated ORV trails. Narrow single tracks comprise most of the trail system, but some sections can accommodate ATVs with a width of up to 50 inches. Only motorbikes, dirt bikes can use the trail. ATVs, UTV, and SXS, are permitted on Trail 142 and Trail 148 only.

Camping is allowed in developed sites only. For more information, contact Colville National Forest or check out their website.

11. Moses Lake Mud Flats and Sand Dunes

The 3,000-acre of rolling sand dunes are open to motorcycles, dirt bikes, ATVs, UTV, SXS, 4X4, Jeeps, dune buggy, and sand rails. The park is open throughout the year. 

While you can camp anywhere, it’s only for 3-day holiday weekends. Small campfires are permitted, but wood pallets or anything with nails is prohibited. Trailblazing is permitted. For more information, contact the Grant County Sheriffs Office – ORV Program.

12. Owl Mountain Trail

The Owl Mountain Trail sits on 9,600 acres of forested area and offers an off-road trail that is more than 7 miles long. It’s a marked, unrated, and lightly maintained path that takes riders through magnificent views of the mountains, creeks, and vegetation.

The trail is near the border between Canada and Washington. It’s mostly hard-pack terrain with some loose dirt, mud, and rocks in some sections. The maximum vehicle width is 64 inches.

13. Reiter Foothills State Forest

Part of the 10,000-acre Reiter Foothills State Forest offers 39 miles of marked, unrated, heavily maintained trails. There are single-track motorcycle trails (5.7 miles), ATV trails (10.4 miles), and 4×4 trails for modified trucks (6.8 miles). Since trail construction is continuous, the miles for riding will surely keep on increasing.

The mostly hard-packed ATV trails have loose gravel rock, and the 4×4 trail consists of a few large rocks and tree stumps. There are also some narrow and off-camber turns.

The trails are open year-round, but hours will depend on the season. Routes signs will guide riders on which areas specific vehicle types can use them. Contact the Reiter Foothills State Forest for more information.

14. Riverside State Park ORV Area

Also known as 7 Mile ORV Park, Riverside State Park ORV Area offers 25 miles of unmarked, unrated, lightly maintained trails. The park sits on more than 600 acres of play areas and mostly hard-packed trails that weave through a ponderosa pine forest. There are also some steep hills, small jumps, and a few large jumps. One can find loading ramps, restroom facilities, picnic areas, and a beginners training area in the main staging area.

Camping facilities are available at nearby Bowl and Pitcher Campground, which have both primitive and RV hookups. For more information regarding fees, passes, and permits, contact the Riverside State Park ORV Area.

15. Saddle Mountain

Saddle Mountain is also known as Columbia River or Lower Crab Creek. It offers more than 4,500 acres of desert terrain that consists of narrow single track, 4×4 trails, and motocross tracks. There are over 20 miles of trails with many steep hill climbs, rocky spots, a few berms, and some small and large jumps. The park is open to all types of vehicles year-round. Take note that vegetation is sparse, and there are no services, so be sure to come prepared.

16. Tahuya State Forest Trail System

The Tahuya State Forest Trail System has more than 170 miles of multi-use trails weaving through heavily-wooded areas. There is also a large gravel/play pit. The trail system is open year-round. Most of the trails have a vehicle width limit of 48 inches or less.

There are two staging areas – Mission Creek and Elfendahl Pass. Riders should acquire a Discover Pass before entry if they have a 4×4 or a street-legal dual-sport motorcycle. The mostly hard-packed trails are marked and heavily maintained but unrated. Contact the Washington DNR – South Puget Sound Region Office before heading out to check for trail updates and other important information.

17. Thompson Ridge Trail

Also known as the Colville National Forest or Three Rivers Danger District, the Thompson Ridge Trail is a 3-mile linear trail, which means there is one way in and one way out. It’s wide enough to accommodate two vehicles. Riders should bring a chainsaw and a shovel to deal with branches, dense vegetation, and possible washouts along the trail. The trail is marked, but not rated. For more details, contact the Colville National Forest – Three Rivers Ranger District.

18. Twin Sisters and Mack King Trails

Situated in the Colville National Forest, the Twin Sisters and Mack King Trails offers two 4×4 trails that riders can use for a long loop. The Twin Sisters Trail is on the northern side of the forest and is about 10 miles long. The mostly hard-packed trail weaves through wooded areas with some open spots that offer scenic views of the surrounding mountains.

The Mack King Trail is on the southern route and is more challenging than the Twin Sisters Trail. The steep hillside crossings are suitable for advanced riders. The eastern part of the trail is more difficult than the western portion.

To know more about trail conditions, contact the Colville National Forest – Three Rivers Ranger District before you haul.

19. Walker Valley ORV Area

The more than 3,200-acre Walker Valley ORV Area offers about 36 miles of marked, heavily maintained trails. Miles of technical trails comprise the off-road area. There is a single track for dirt bikes as well as 4×4 roads. The rugged terrain is best for experienced riders as there are numerous tree roots, ruts, rocks, and deep mud puddles.

The trails are open year-round, but inclement weather may cause temporary closures. Fire season may also cause the trails to close on short notice. So it’s best to contact the DNR – Northwest Region Office for trail information and other details before heading out.

20. Wilbur Meadows ORV Park

The 100-acre Wilbur Meadows ORV Park has a motocross track, an oval dirt track, and an obstacle course. The motocross park is occasionally groomed, but it can surely get dusty during the dry season. The park is open year-round (9 am – 7 pm) and is for all skill levels. There are many small jumps and some large jumps. Visit the park’s website for more information.

Conclusion – Washington Off Road Trails

Where are the 20 best off road trails in Washington State? To summarize, here are our top picks once again:

1. Ahtanum State Forest
2. Beverly Dunes
3. Bradley Trails ORV Area
4. Cle Elum ORV Area
5. Evans Creek ORV Area
6. Grays Harbor ORV
7. Horn Rapids ORV Park
8. Juniper Dunes OHV Area
9. Liberty Lake ORV Park
10. Little Pend Oreille ORV Trail System
11. Moses Lake Mud Flats and Sand Dunes
12. Owl Mountain Trail
13. Reiter Foothills State Forest
14. Riverside State Park ORV Area
15. Saddle Mountain
16. Tahuya State Forest Trail System
17. Thompson Ridge Trail
18. Twin Sisters And Mack King Trails
19. Walker Valley ORV Area
20. Wilbur Meadows ORV Park

Washington’s vast terrain ranges from coastal lowlands to rainforests, evergreen forests, mountainous regions, desert and sand dunes. Enjoy the great outdoors and test your off-roading skills in Washington’s best off-roading sites.