Iron Horse Trail State Park

The Iron Horse State Park is part of the the Washington State Park System, between Cedar Falls in the west and Columbia River in the east. It features 1,612 acres of glorious wilderness nestled in the Cascade Mountains and the Yakima River Valley. The park is situated along the rail trail which was formerly the Chicago-Milwaukee-St. Paul-Pacific Railroad. There are over 100 miles of trails in this state park along the historic railroad, and tons of ways to enjoy them, so grab your furry adventure pal and get ready to explore!

The most famous trail in the park passes through Iron Horse State Park and continues to the Idaho Border. The Palouse to Cascade State Park Trail, formerly known as the Iron Horse Trail, is 110 miles long with its most developed portion being in the Iron Horse State Park. Along the trail you’ll see remnants of the old railroad, including trestles, tunnels, bridges, and signal foundations. From the high trestles you can enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape and valley below. The trail is good for hiking, biking, horseback riding, and dog walking of course! In the winter you’ll even be able to enjoy some cross-country skiing, snowshoeing or snowmobiling.

The Iron Horse State Park can be used for day-use, or to spend a whole weekend in the Great Outdoors. There are four campgrounds along the trail, each featuring a vault toilet and table. They can be found at Roaring Creek, Cold Creek, Carter Creek, and Alice Creek. If you’re into bird watching or wildlife viewing in general, bring along your binoculars! This area is teeming with creatures. 

Dogs are welcome to join in on the fun here, as long as they stay leashed and leave only paw prints. Don’t forget the waste bags and drinking water for your parched pup! A Discovery Pass is needed for vehicle entry to this state park, along with a sno-park permit from December 1st to March 31st. The Discovery Pass is $11.50 for one day use, while an annual pass is $35.00. With all of the fun to have here, Iron Horse State Park is sure to get your dog’s tail wagging!