The 1.5 mile Iron Creek Campground Loop Trail is a universal, barrier-free trail with a very moderate grade, great for a stroll from the campground or for strollers or wheelchairs.
The trail can be accessed from various locations in the Iron Creek Campground and from Iron Creek Picnic Area.
The first half of this trail follows the beautiful, crystal-clear Cispus River. There are occasional benches and turnouts to rest and listen to the sounds of the forest and river. There’s even the remains of an old railroad trestle over the riverbed.
The trail leaves the river on the northwest corner of the loop through magnificent stands of old-growth Douglas-fir and western redcedar. There are a few hemlock and hardwood trees just to make it interesting.
The trail connects with the 0.3 mile, signed Iron Creek Old Growth Trail 87 at the Iron Creek Picnic Area. This short trail is open to hiker and wheelchair use only. It is a barrier-free trail, four feet wide, level, with compacted gravel surface. Three interpretive signs help explain how root disease is impacting this old-growth forest and is actually adding to the diversity of the ecosystem.
As with any loop, this can be hiked in either direction. If you’re hiking clockwise, there is a semi-confusing intersection where the trail turns away from the river. Be sure and turn inland at a Y intersection; two logs with wooden arrows mark this junction. (If you’re coming counter-clockwise, this junction will be near the start of your hike.)
