Guides/OHV areas
OHV area40 miles of combined 4WD and motorcycle/quad trails trail midifficulty: difficult

Evans Creek OHV Area

AgencyU.S. Forest ServiceLast verified—
Evans Creek OHV Area — ohv area near Wilkeson, Washington
USDA Forest Service - Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
Area vitals7 facts
Trail miles
40 miles of combined 4WD and motorcycle/quad trails
Technical difficulty
Difficult
Vehicle classes
ATV, UTV / Side-by-side, Motorcycle / Dirt bike, 4WD truck/SUV
Best months
Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
Permit
Required
Fees
$5 per vehicle day-use; $30 annual pass.
Cell coverage
Spotty; service drops below the rim and stays gone in the trail network.
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Evans Creek OHV Area is a Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest motorized network on the lower northwest flank of Mount Rainier, with about 40 miles of combined 4WD and motorcycle/quad trails. The system sits south of Buckley off State Highway 165, between the towns of Wilkeson and Carbonado. The Snoqualmie Ranger District manages the trails and the adjacent Evans Creek Campground.

All riders must be street-legal with a valid driver's license — Washington's mixed-use Forest Service rule. Day use is $5 per vehicle or $30 for the year; the system does not honor the standard Northwest Forest Pass for day use. The area has been intermittently closed since the 2024 SR-165 Fairfax Bridge emergency closure cut highway access to the trailhead. Confirm status with the Enumclaw office before driving up.

Hazards

Read before you go

  • Bridge closure on SR-165. The Fairfax Bridge has been closed since 2024, blocking the direct access route. Confirm an open detour with the Enumclaw office before driving.
  • Rain-fed mud. The system holds water year-round. Spring riding does serious trail damage.
  • Creek crossings. Several routes ford Evans Creek and side drainages. Water levels can rise quickly after rain.
  • Mixed-use traffic. Trails see 4WDs, UTVs, dirt bikes, and quads sharing corridors. Watch for oncoming traffic on blind turns.
  • No services on the trails. No fuel, no water, no cell coverage.
  • Logging operations. Active timber harvest occasionally closes parts of the system. Check current closures before riding.

Area map

OHV area

Coordinates 46.95310, -121.96360

Area facts

7 fields
AgencyU.S. Forest Service
Nearest townWilkeson, Washington
PermitAll vehicles must be street-legal with a valid driver's license. Standard Northwest Forest Pass is not the day-use fee here; Evans Creek charges its own $5 per-vehicle day-use or $30 annual.
Agency contact360-825-6585 (Snoqualmie Ranger District / Enumclaw Office)
Websitewww.fs.usda.gov/r06/mbs/recreation/evans-creek-trailhead
ClosedDec, Jan, Feb, Mar
Coordinates46.95310, -121.96360

Getting there

Directions

The Evans Creek OHV Area is on the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, about 25 miles south of Enumclaw, WA.

From Enumclaw, follow State Highway 410 four miles west to Buckley. Turn left onto State Highway 165 toward Wilkeson and Carbonado. The entrance to the ORV area is on the left (north) side of the road.

The trailhead accesses 40 miles of combined 4WD and motorcycle / quad trails, plus a covered picnic shelter at the picnic area and the rustic Evans Creek Campground nearby.

Photos

7 photos

Photos · 7

Field notes

Getting Oriented

Evans Creek sits on the Carbon River drainage in Pierce County, on the western edge of the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. The trailhead is roughly 18 miles south of Buckley via SR-165 through Wilkeson and Carbonado. The Snoqualmie Ranger District's Enumclaw office handles permits and conditions; Mount Rainier National Park's Carbon River entrance is a few miles south of the trail network.

The trailhead area includes a vault toilet, a covered picnic shelter, and a primitive campground (Evans Creek Campground) used as the standard staging point for weekend riders.

What to Expect

Forty miles of mixed-use motorized trail. Surfaces range from improved forest-road two-track passable in stock 4WD trucks to singletrack tight enough to favor narrow UTVs and dirt bikes. The system is rain-fed Douglas-fir country, with mud, roots, and creek crossings that hold water well into summer. Most riders treat the system as a weekend destination rather than a multi-day base; the trails are well within a Tacoma or Seattle day's reach.

Vehicle and Permit Rules

  • All off-road vehicles must be street-legal under Washington state requirements.
  • Drivers must hold a valid driver's license.
  • Day use is $5 per vehicle; the annual pass is $30. The Northwest Forest Pass does not cover day use here.
  • The system uses Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie's mixed-use rule, so route designations vary; check the kiosk maps for current vehicle-class restrictions on each trail.
  • Spark arresters are required on all motorized vehicles.

Trailhead and Camping

  • Evans Creek Trailhead. Vault toilet and covered picnic shelter, first-come. The standard parking and staging area.
  • Evans Creek Campground. Rustic Forest Service campground at the trailhead, no water, vault toilet, first-come.
  • The Dalles Campground. A larger Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie campground a short drive south on SR-410 with potable water in season.
  • Silver Springs Campground. Forest Service campground further south on SR-410 with developed sites and seasonal water.

Dispersed camping is allowed on Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie land off the system's connecting forest roads. Carbonado has a small grocery and the closest gas; Buckley has full services.

Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Trip

  • Confirm the trailhead is accessible. SR-165's Fairfax Bridge has been closed to traffic since 2024, cutting the standard approach. The Enumclaw office (360-825-6585) holds current routing.
  • The system rides best after the ground firms up in late June. Spring riding is muddy and contributes to trail damage.
  • Carry water. The trailhead has no potable water, and creek water requires treatment.
  • Cell coverage drops off quickly once you leave SR-165. Bring an offline map or GPS.
  • Pair with the Carbon River entrance to Mount Rainier National Park for a non-riding day; the entrance is a few miles south.

Frequently asked

Common questions

How difficult is Evans Creek OHV Area?
Evans Creek OHV Area is rated difficult.
When is the best time to visit Evans Creek OHV Area?
The best months are Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct. Avoid Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar.
Do you need a permit for Evans Creek OHV Area?
Yes — a permit is required. It is managed by U.S. Forest Service — check the agency listing for current requirements and fees.
Is there cell service at Evans Creek OHV Area?
Spotty; service drops below the rim and stays gone in the trail network.