7 Family-Friendly Hikes Along the Middle Fork Snoqualmie River

Great hikes out of North Bend

It’s rare that a whole new recreational area opens up within an hour of Seattle, but that’s just what happened recently along the Middle Fork Snoqualmie River. The road out of North Bend that meanders up the Middle Fork river valley used to be notorious for its potholes, drug camps, target shooting and other nefarious behavior.

But a coalition of government agencies and nonprofits worked together to clean it up, pave the road and refurbish trailheads. The result is a family-friendly adventure zone along a wild and scenic river corridor, offering a bit of something for everyone. If you’re looking for a destination that’s close to home and low in elevation — and yet with gorgeous views and forests — then you’ll love this four-season spot.

There are a few things to be aware of as you plan your trip. The Middle Fork Road doesn’t get plowed during the winter, so it can be impassable during periods of low elevation snowfall. The surrounding peaks hold the snow into the spring, and it can be up to 10 degrees colder in the valley than it is in town. It can also be rainier here than in other areas, so be prepared with jackets and good shoes. There are two different government agencies caring for the land; make sure you know which parking pass to have in your car. And I always recommend checking recent trip reports from the Washington Trails Association to make sure the trail is open and safe for kids. There is no cell service in the valley. With all that in mind, let’s get going!

First hike: Oxbow Loop

Oxbow Loop

The 2-mile Oxbow Loop trail is covered in hard-packed gravel, so it stays less muddy than other trails in the valley. From the large second parking lot (privy available), take the connecting trail to join the loop down toward the river. Stop a moment and enjoy the views out over the river and across to Russian Butte. Big-leaf maples are covered with mosses and ferns, and lichens and fungi abound. A short side path leads to the river, where there are spots to sit and enjoy the view. This path is gentle enough for little legs, yet interesting for older hikers as well.

Kids will love: Looking for octopus trees and the huge stump, tromping over the bridge, throwing rocks into the river.

Parents should know: The first parking lot has room for just a handful of cars, but if you drive around the bend, there is a larger parking area and a well-stocked privy. Watch for stinging nettles and mosquitos in the spring and summer. A Discover Pass is required to park.

Next trail: Camp Brown ADA Trail

Camp Brown ADA Trail

Once a logging camp, then a boys’ camp and finally a guard station, this forested spot next to the river has now recovered. In 2020 it was opened as an accessible walk for all ages and abilities. The 0.45-mile Camp Brown trail loop is a hard-packed gravel path. Visitors enjoy lush forest and views of mountains and the river. Eleven accessible picnic tables with charcoal grills are scattered along the path. A ramp furnishes access to the river’s edge.

Kids will love: An easy hike, looking for moss and fungi, playing by the river.

Parents should know: Wheelchair-accessible outhouses are at the trailhead parking area. You’ll need a Northwest Forest Pass to park.

Next trail: Pratt River Connector

Pratt River Connector Trail

Beginning from the large Middle Fork Trailhead and picnic area, the Pratt River Trail connector crosses the Middle Fork Snoqualmie on a gorgeous, sturdy suspension bridge. Turn right after crossing the river, and a new trail follows the river downstream to meet up with the Pratt River Trail at 3 miles. Thick moss drapes over everything, and occasional views give inspiration to future trips. A bridge crosses Rainy Creek at about 0.6 miles, where water tumbles over mossy boulders. There are a few short climbs, and the trail mostly stays away from the river, but there are plenty of interesting things to see. A campsite at 3 miles that makes a good turnaround spot

Kids will love: Smaller stream crossings, finding a cave, looking for moss and fungi

Parents should know: During times of heavy rain or snowmelt, a couple of the stream crossings might cause wet feet. There can be a lot of mud on this trail. There are outhouses and picnic tables at the parking area. You’ll need a Northwest Forest Pass to park.

Next hike: Garfield Ledges

Garfield Ledges

Completed in 2019, the Garfield Ledges trail climbs 830 feet in 1.1 miles to a spectacular viewpoint. On a clear day, hikers can look west down the Middle Fork Snoqualmie valley, while admiring neighboring peaks. Though the trail climbs steadily, it’s well graded, and there is less mud in spring and fall than on some other local paths. A set of stairs marks the halfway point, and there is a viewpoint there for those who want to turn around. Families looking for more adventure can try hiking up just before sunset, staying for the view, and then hiking down by headlamp.

Kids will love: The feeling of accomplishment from climbing a mountain, watching hawks and ravens soar below the viewpoint.

Parents should know: There are picnic tables and outhouses at the trailhead. You’ll need a Northwest Forest Pass to park. Additionally, the pavement ends just before the trailhead, and there are car-eating potholes that will give low-clearance vehicles problems. If you drive a car without much clearance, consider parking at the Middle Fork Trailhead and taking the Middle Fork Connector Trail over to the Garfield Ledges trailhead. That will add 1.8 flat miles to your round-trip total, and there are some places to access the Taylor River along the way.

Next trail: Middle Fork Snoqualmie Trail

Middle Fork Snoqualmie Trail

This trail follows the Middle Fork Snoqualmie River up the valley for several miles. Park at the large Middle Fork Trailhead (shortly before the campground), cross the Gateway Bridge, then turn left. Immediately you’ll have views of craggy Garfield Mountain. The trail mostly stays away from the river as it travels through mossy forest. At 0.75 miles, you’ll cross under the sheer cliffs of Stegosaurus Butte. Between one and two miles there has been a reroute away from the riverbed, as a landslide took out the trail. There you’ll find some short switchbacks and the majority of your elevation gain. Small streams are generally easy to cross. Enjoy the peace and quiet of this river valley, as you’re far from roads. An offshoot leads down to some campsites around 4.5 miles (you will need to use bear-safe food storage if you camp here).

Kids will love: Mossy trees, fungi, little streams

Parents should know: This can be a muddy hike. You may share the trail with mountain bikes on odd-numbered days from June through October. You need a Northwest Forest Pass to park. There is an outhouse at the trailhead, but it’s often out of toilet paper.

Next trail: CCC Road Trail

CCC Road Trail, Upper Trailhead

Back in the 1930s, the Civilian Conservation Corps created the first road into the Middle Fork Snoqualmie Valley to facilitate logging and mining. Now the forest has grown up around it again, but there is a long trail from the area of the campground that goes west toward Mount Teneriffe. Families can start at the Middle Fork Trailhead, cross the road, hike past the campground, and then head southwest through the forest. You won’t find sweeping views or extra special destinations, but it makes a pleasant walk in the woods.

This is a great hike if your family is camping at the Middle Fork Campground. Look for carpets of moss, babbling streams (some are impassable in times of heavy rain or snowmelt), huge old cedar snags, and a benchmark in the middle of nowhere. At 3.5 miles from the trailhead, the trail hits the Middle Fork Road. (This is another parking area but isn’t signed very clearly.) Hike as far as you’d like toward this destination, then turn around and retrace your steps.

Kids will love: A shady, mossy trail, fall colors, fun stream crossings

Parents Should Know: A Northwest Forest Pass is required at the trailhead. There is an outhouse that may not have toilet paper. Try to find recent trip reports on the WTA website to see how the stream crossings are.

Next trail: Taylor River

Taylor River Trail

Walk through dark and verdant forest along an old road bed to a picturesque bridge over the tumbling rapids of Marten Creek. The Taylor River is always within earshot, though you’ll rarely have access to it. The Taylor River Trail is well shaded for most of its length, which is refreshing on a hot day, but also means it holds the snow in the winter. There are a few campsites along the river for backpackers. Birdsong fills the forest in spring, and fungi can be found in the fall. Marten Creek is 3 miles (and 500 feet elevation gain) from the trailhead, making it an excellent turnaround spot for families, but ambitious hikers can continue on to Otter Falls, which makes the hike an 11-mile round trip.

Kids will love: Multiple stream crossings, walking on a wide path, looking for wildflowers and fungi.

Parents should know: The trailhead is at the very end of the Middle Fork Snoqualmie Road, and is signed for Snoqualmie Lake. After the road passes the Middle Fork Campground, the pavement ends and there are some huge potholes. Cars with lower clearance may have difficulty. There are multiple stream crossings along the trail, and some can be tricky when snowmelt is high. An outhouse is available at the trailhead. A Northwest Forest Pass is required to park.

Editor’s note: This article was originally published in 2021 and updated for 2023, with two new hikes added.