Capitol Creek Trailhead

Posted On: 9/28/2026 By: cdgibbons
Info: I found the holes at 0.3 miles from the trailhead to be pretty rough. I did not attempt in a Subaru Crosstrek, and with the exception of one Outback, every vehicle at the trailhead on this day was high-clearance, 4WD.

Posted On: 9/15/2026 By: dustinbarrett
Info: Heavy rain Sunday (9/13) evening into Monday (9/14) morning, could not make a summit attempt. There was a newly downed tree across Capitol Creek Road about ~0.2 miles below the trailhead parking, right around the final rough section. Fortunately I parked below it so could get out but it was fully blocking the road so no entry or exit until it's removed. I phoned it into the Forest Service supervisor's office and they said they'd try to get someone up there to clear it.

Posted On: 9/5/2026 By: scvaughn
Info: The road hole at 0.3mi from the trailhead is no joke, proceed at your own risk. A camper van somehow made it to the parking area, but a member of their party confided that one wheel was "three feet in the air," and they tried to fill in the hole with rocks. The rest of the road is in good shape.

Posted On: 8/30/2026 By: Craig Barlow
Info: Came up about a quarter mile short of the trailhead in a Subaru Outback Wilderness. There was a large rut/hole in the middle of the road (that someone tried to fill with rocks) that we couldn't get past. It was dark at the time and I was driving someone's else's car and didn't want to break it, so we backed up a little and parked on the side of the road with some other vehicles. FWIW, there were a couple of smaller SUVs and Subarus at the trailhead so it's doable if you are determined enough.

Posted On: 8/9/2026 By: AurumSun13
Info: Trailhead is well maintained with spots enough for about 30 vehicles. There even a few fireplace campsites that could be used if there wasn't a fireban in effect. The entrance board to the Capitol Creek trail has free wag bags available too, which is nice if you forgot to bring any. Driving up in a Jeep Renegade made it, but the last 50 yards was hard to get up even with 4wd. It took a few tries of backing up and gunning it until I made over one last big dip of loose dirt/sand. I would recommend a 4wd with high clearance, although just 4wd may be enough.

Posted On: 7/5/2026 By: BillMiddlebrook
Info: Road has been repaired for this season and is in good condition. AWD/4WD recommended if that final, steep section is slick or starts to get ruts again.

Posted On: 6/22/2026 By: HikerGuy
Info: Safety Alert! Capitol Creek Road will be closed to vehicle traffic from the Hay Park trailhead parking area to the Capitol Creek trailhead parking area Monday June 22 to Thursday, June 25. The closure will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Foot and horse traffic will be permitted. Users parked at the Capitol Creek Trailhead will be able to exit through the work zone as they drive out. The closure is due to road improvements and is for the safety of the public.

Posted On: 5/31/2026 By: mtn14
Info: Road was dry / snow-free. Could have made it all the way to the upper trailhead in the stock Outback, except for the gnarly spot apx quarter mile from the upper lot: needed higher clearance and 4WL to crawl through the craters, or time build up one or two of those pot holes. Also note: if unable to make it past the craters, there isn't a ton of room to turn around, especially if others have already parked along the shoulder; could be a bit of a challenge backing down to an available pull-out - winter lot is apx 2 miles from the trailhead proper.

Posted On: 9/29/2025 By: maylemay1
Info: The noted dip pretty close to the TH was no problem at all for me in my lifted 4runner. Never took it out of 2wd. I imagine it would be fine with good line choice in a subaru or similar, but something lower would be dicey. The rest of the road is in great shape.

Posted On: 9/4/2025 By: cyrrus
Info: Dip is very manageable. Was in 4runner in 4wd hi, could have done it in 2wd. Jeep compass ahead of me struggled but appeared to be driver error.

Posted On: 9/3/2025 By: mwoltz
Info: Approximately .3 mile from the TH there is a SEVERE dip/gully that is unmanageable for many vehicles (including my lifted ford transit campervan) - had to bust a 20-point turn to turn around and camp down at the winter th. The road up to that point is pretty mellow.

Posted On: 8/20/2025 By: wwdonaldson
Info: Great Trailhead. Smooth gravel all the way to about 1 mile from trailhead where there’s one somewhat noteable dip in the gravel which might be hard to get through in a low sedan. Otherwise everything else with normal or higher clearance will make it. Plenty of dispersed camp sites

Posted On: 8/11/2025 By: notidealbutfine
Info: Made it in my 03 Honda Element (7.1'' clearance). I wouldn't do it in a 2WD or lower clearance vehicle as there are a few big ruts just below the TH. Plenty of similar AWD vehicles at the parking lot.

Posted On: 7/28/2025 By: madmattd
Info: Same condition as recent reports - smooth sailing most of the way, one largish set of ruts shortly before the TH that aren't too big an issue if you pick your line right - clearance helps but isn't required for a good driver. I had no issues with AWD and ~8.5" of clearance, and with care it could be done with less clearance and if dry 2WD should be fine. No bug issues at the TH. Lot was very busy all weekend with the stable weather forecast.

Posted On: 7/15/2025 By: Omatt89
Info: A little tricky 2wd right now. A tiny rut at the top but not much. There's a bunch of whoops most are really easy and a pothole over a whoop close to the trailhead. I have a truck but I saw a Prius at the top. I saw two cars parked a little bit from the trailhead where the road hits the last little steep whoop section. They were out of the way barely. I could see the road being trouble if you go after s big rain, it's very loose dirt. Also, unreal camping at the trailhead with a sick view of cap