Elwha Dam Removal Site

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Commonly Backpacked · Fall Colors · Historical Significance · River/Creek · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

This road cannot be driven anymore due to road wash out. Now you can hike this easy road and access some incredible views of the Bailey Range and Elwha River.

There is limited room for turning around at the trailhead when it is busy. There is an accessible compost toilet at the trailhead.

Bikes and leashed dogs are allowed on this road. Start at the Madison Falls Trailhead and hike along paved road. After about a half mile, you'll use a parks created bypass trail which travels near the former Elwha Campground (almost all traces of the campground have washed away). Then you get back on the road and travel past the former Elwha Ranger Station and the facilities. Follow the road, continue straight past the left turn that would go to Whiskey Bend. Cross the Elwha River on the road bridge. On the right is the Altair Campground, which is worth checking out. Continue up the road all the way to the spillway.

Likely to see deer. Sometimes you'll see Elk. The banks of the Elwha near the dam site are covered in Lupine in the spring.

The Depression-Ear Civilian Conservation Core (CCC) built some of the structures at Altair Campground.