Smokey Hill Trail

Smokey Hill is a 0.8-mile out-and-back on a steep dirt path from Whiskey Bend Road down to the Elwha River and back. The descent is only 0.4 mile, but you climb the same ground on the return; allow about 1 to 1½ hours on the trail. It is a good choice for a quick river walk if you are comfortable with a short, hard climb. The trailhead is about four miles up Whiskey Bend Road from the Madison Falls access, so that road approach is separate from the mileage and time here.

The natural-surface path drops through forest and ends at the Elwha River near former Lake Mills. There is no loop: turn around at the river and retrace the same steep tread. The return climb is the part to plan for; the short distance can make the descent seem easier than the full outing feels.

The Elwha and Glines Canyon dams were built in 1913 and 1927, blocking the river for generations. Both were removed by 2014, and salmon returned to spawning habitat in the park within months. Smokey Hill reaches the river in the former Lake Mills area, where the changing channel and river gravel are part of that restoration story.

The nearest established parking is at Madison Falls; parking and turnaround space there is limited. A vault toilet and picnic area are at that access point, not along Smokey Hill, and no visitor facilities are available beyond the gate. Olympic permits leashed pets on the road and bypass trail, but not on Smokey Hill. Check current access conditions before planning the road approach.