Things to Do in Stave West Forest & Recreation Area

Stave West Forest & Recreation Area offers diverse outdoor activities, primarily focusing on hiking and jogging. The area features a variety of trails suitable for different skill levels. Other activities include peaceful lakeside stays, equestrian adventures, and water activities like paddleboarding on Stave Lake.

Popular hiking routes include the Lakeside Trail & Rolley Falls Trail loop, an easy 3.1-mile (5.0 km) path. For a more challenging experience, the Mount Crickmer via K100 trail covers 11.6 miles (18.6 km) with significant elevation gain. The Railway Trail along Hayward Lake offers a scenic, fairly flat option. More information can be found in the Hiking in Stave West Forest & Recreation Area guide.

Yes, Stave West Forest & Recreation Area offers several easy hiking options. The Lakeside Trail & Rolley Falls Trail loop is an easy 3.1-mile (5.0 km) path. The Stave Dam Forest Interpretation Trail is another easy 1.0-mile (1.6 km) loop with viewpoints. Explore more options in the Easy hikes in Stave West Forest & Recreation Area guide.

Stave West Forest & Recreation Area is managed as a family-friendly outdoor recreation area, offering trails suitable for families. The Lakeside Trail & Rolley Falls Trail loop and the Stave Dam Forest Interpretation Trail are good options for families. Consult the Family-friendly hikes in Stave West Forest & Recreation Area guide for more details.

The area is characterized by expansive forests, picturesque reservoir lakes like Stave Lake, and waterfalls such as Rolley Falls and Steelhead Falls. Dramatic mountain vistas and remnants of historical logging, including massive Western Red Cedar stumps, also contribute to the unique landscape. A recently developed loop trail features a floating bridge.

Jogging routes in Stave West Forest & Recreation Area often follow flat, wide trails. The Railway Trail along the west side of Hayward Lake is a suitable option for a scenic jog. Further details can be found in the Running Trails in Stave West Forest & Recreation Area guide.

Stave West Forest & Recreation Area is a popular destination on komoot, with more than 3,000 visitors sharing their experiences. The region's routes have an average rating of 4.76 out of 5 stars. There are 3 routes available across hiking and jogging.

Yes, komoot offers several guides for Stave West Forest & Recreation Area to help plan outdoor adventures. These include guides for Hiking, Family-friendly hikes, Waterfall hikes, Easy hikes, and Running Trails.

The official website for Stave West Forest & Recreation Area is stavewestcamping.com. This site provides information regarding the area's offerings and potentially reservation details for campgrounds.

Campgrounds in Stave West Forest & Recreation Area offer various amenities. Kearsley Creek Campground provides opportunities for equestrian adventures. Rock Creek Campground has designated areas for off-road vehicles (ORVs). The area also supports peaceful lakeside stays.

Yes, Stave West Forest & Recreation Area includes challenging trails for experienced hikers. The Mount Crickmer via K100 trail is an 11.6-mile (18.6 km) route with significant elevation gain. Hikers should be prepared for rough terrain on some trails, such as the loop incorporating a floating bridge.

The terrain in Stave West Forest & Recreation Area is diverse, shaped by expansive forests, reservoir lakes, and the Stave River hydroelectric project. It includes varied paths from fairly flat and wide trails to rougher sections with significant elevation changes, especially on mountain routes. Hikers may encounter historical logging remnants.