Iron Horse: Overview
Park overview:
Iron Horse State Park is a 1,612-acre park that was once part of the path of the Chicago-Milwaukee-St. Paul-Pacific Railroad. More than 100 miles of trail extends from Cedar Falls to the Columbia River. High trestles provide spectacular views of the valley below.Tunnel closures: Due to continued safety concerns, all tunnels at Iron Horse State Park - John Wayne Pioneer Trail (JWPT), with the exception of Snoqualmie Tunnel, are closed indefinitely. For up-to-date information on the tunnel closures, please call the Lake Easton State Park Area message phone at (509) 656-2230.
The closure affects the two tunnels between Thorp and South Cle Elum, one tunnel along Lake Easton, one tunnel between Easton and USFS Road 54 (Stampede Pass Road). Visitors are not permitted to use any of the tunnels and must turn around at the portals.
Tunnel 46 and 47 detour directions are as follows:
- Eastbound travelers will find a map and detour signs three miles east of Cle Elum.
- Follow the yellow bicycle signs with orange flags south off the JWPT.
- Westbound travelers from Thorp will find the same detour signs east of Taneum Road; this route is south of the JWPT.
- From the west, the detour starts at River Ranch Lane. Travel south to Lower Peoh Point Rd.
- Travel east approximately 150 feet to Watson Cutoff Rd.
- Turn south on Watson Cutoff Rd to Upper Peoh Point Rd.
- Travel east four miles on Upper Peoh Point.
- When the road turns to Thorp Prairie Rd., travel east on Thorp Prairie Rd 13 miles to E Taneum Rd.
- Then travel northeast on E Taneum Rd. for two miles to the trail crossing.
Tunnel 49 between Easton and USFS Road 54 has a well-marked detour route that goes over and around the tunnel and is of moderate grade.
The tunnel along Lake Easton also offers a detour. Directions to take this detour are as follows:
- Westbound visitors need to leave the JWPT in the town of Easton and turn right at the fire station.
- Cross the railroad tracks to Railroad Street (stop sign) and turn left.
- Travel through the town of Easton and turn left into the entrance of Lake Easton State Park.
- Turn right at the main park intersection, travel one mile to the next stop sign, and then turn right again.
- Travel approximately a half-mile, crossing the old highway bridge to the end of the pavement.
- Turn left onto the gravel road and follow this road approximately ¾ mile until it merges with the JWPT.
Park staff is working with other agencies and private land owners to identify detour routes in the areas near the other tunnels. For up-to-date information on the tunnel closures, please call the Lake Easton State Park Area message phone at (509) 656-2230.
Want to support Washington State Parks? Get involved by joining a friends' group. For more information, visit the Friends' Group web page.
Park hours/updates:
Summer: 6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Winter: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The park is open year round for day use.
A Sno-Park permit is required from Nov. 15 through April 30.
Current alerts:
Agency information:
Don't move firewood: Please protect the Pacific Northwest from invasive species by obtaining or purchasing your firewood at or near your camping destination (within 50 miles). Firewood can carry insects and diseases that threaten the health of our western forests. You can make a difference by buying and burning your firewood locally. For more information, visit online at www.dontmovefirewood.org or the Washington Invasive Species Council website.
The Discover Pass now can be used on either of two vehicles!Annual pass: $30
One-day pass: $10
(Transaction and dealer fees may apply)
A Discover Pass is required for motor-vehicle access to state parks and recreation lands managed by the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Washington State Department of Natural Resources.
Exemptions: Your purchase of the Discover Pass supports recreation on state lands. However, the Discover Pass is not required if you are camping or renting overnight accommodations, for the duration of your stay at that state park. For additional exemptions and more information, please visit the Discover Pass website.
Campsite Information:
There are four campgrounds along the trail, each with three to four campsites, one picnic table and a vault toilet. They are located at milepost 2109.5 at Roaring Creek, milepost 2113.2 at Cold Creek, milepost 2123.2 at Carter Creek and milepost 2127.1 at Alice Creek.Camping is also available near the trail at U.S. Forest Service campgrounds at Tinkham, Denny Creek, Lake Kachess and Crystal Springs. There is state park camping at Lake Easton and Wanapum.
2013 camping fees:
Please note that the following general fee information is not customized for each individual park, so not all fees will apply to all parks (for example, primitive campsite and dump station fees listed apply only to parks that have primitive campsites and dump stations).May 15 – Sept. 15 (peak season)
Primitive campsite and water trail camping: $12
Standard campsite: $23 non-premium site, $26 premium site
Partial-utility campsite*: $30 non-premium site, $35 premium site
Full-utility campsite*: $32 non-premium site, $37 premium site
*Please note: Camping fees during the 2013 peak season are $28 for partial-utility sites and $29 for full-utility sites at Beacon Rock, Lewis & Clark and Schafer state parks. These parks are first come, first served.
Jan. 1 – May 14 and Sept. 16 – Dec. 31 (off-peak season)
Primitive campsite and water trail camping: $12
Standard campsite: $22 for non-premium and premium sites
Partial-utility campsite: $28 for non-premium and premium sites
Full-utility campsite: $29 for non-premium and premium sites
Maximum eight people per campsite.
Second vehicle: $10 per night is charged for a second vehicle unless it is towed by a recreational vehicle. Extra vehicles must be parked in designated campsite or extra vehicle parking spaces.
Dump stations (if available): Year-round dump station fees are $5 per use. If you are camping, this fee is included in your campsite fee.
More about park hours
Check-in time is 2:30 p.m., and check-out time is 1 p.m.
Quiet hours are from 10 p.m. to 6:30 a.m.
Engine-driven electric generators may be operated only between the hours of 8 a.m. and 9 p.m.
Length of stay: You may stay up to ten consecutive days in any one park from April 1 through Sept. 30; the stay limit is extended to 20 days between Oct. 1 and March 31.
Park Features
The park offers more than 100 miles of hiking, biking and equestrian trail along the route of a historic railroad. Winter sport opportunities are available.
History
Originally, the trail right-of-way was part of the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad. The railroad operated between 1908 and 1980, when the company went into bankruptcy. The state's Department of Natural Resources acquired much of the property and turned it over to State Parks, which continues to acquire land and make improvements to the area.Interpretive opportunities
Kiosks and panels are installed at Hyak, Easton, South Cle Elum, Thorp and Kittitas with a map of the trail and interpretive information.Services/Supplies
| Available in the area | |
| • Camping • Groceries • Hardware • Hospital |
Most services are within a few miles, either side of the length of the trail.
Activities
| Trails | Water Activities | Other |
| • 110 mi. Hiking Trails • 110 mi. Bike Trails • 110 mi. Horse Trails | • Fishing (freshwater) | • Bird Watching • Interpretive Activities • Mountain Biking • Rock Climbing • Wildlife Viewing |
The 100-mile-long John Wayne Pioneer Trail meanders through a variety of ecosystems and geological zones. No motorized vehicles are allowed on the trail with the exception of snowmobiles in winter, which are allowed from Stampede Pass Rd. to Cabin Creek. Horse-drawn wagon users must obtain a key to the gates of Lake Easton State Park. A recreational license is required for fishing and shellfish harvesting at Washington state parks. For regulations, fishing season information or to purchase a recreational license, visit the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife website. | ||
Events
The 2013 State Parks free days are as follows:
Jan. 21 – In honor of Martin Luther King Day
March 30 – In honor of Washington State Parks' 100th birthday on March 19
April 27 and 28 – National Parks Week
June 1 – National Trails Day
June 8 and 9 – National Get Outdoors Day and Department of Fish and Wildlife Free Fishing weekend
Aug. 4 – Peak season free day
Sept. 28 – National Public Lands Day
Nov. 9 through 11 – Veteran's Day weekend
Please note: A Discover Pass is still required to access lands managed by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife during State Parks free days. For more information, please visit www.discoverpass.wa.gov.
| Events | ||
| Date/time | Event description | State Park |
| May 17 and 18 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. |
Painting in the Parks – Iron Horse State Park: Celebrate the centennial of Washington State Parks by painting in the parks. Take a journey through a state park and find artistic inspiration. Then spend the day creating a work in Washington’s great outdoors. Iron Horse State Park is home to the John Wayne Pioneer Trail, with 100 miles of trail to explore from North Bend to the Columbia Gorge. Join artists with Plein Air Washington Artist in exploring this diverse state park. A full schedule of Painting in the Parks days is available at www.pleinairwashington.com. Presented by the Plein Air Washington Artists. |
Iron Horse (425) 649-4275 or (509) 656-2586 |
Winter Recreation
• Cross-country Skiing• Dog Sledding
• Snowmobiling
• Snowshoeing
Wildlife
| Mammals | Birds | Fish & Sea Life |
| • Bears • Bobcats • Chipmunks • Coyotes • Deer or Elk • Marmots • Otters • Rabbits • Raccoons • Skunks • Squirrels | • Crows or Ravens • Doves or Pigeons • Ducks • Eagles • Geese • Grouse • Hawks • Herons • Hummingbirds • Jays • Ospreys • Owls • Pheasants • Quail • Woodpeckers • Wrens |
Environmental Features
| Physical Features | Plant Life | Special | |
| In the Cascade Mountains, the trail cuts through basalt outcroppings, exposing large cliffs that tower above the trail. West of Thorp, the trail cuts through a sandstone deposit. | • Cedar • Nobel Fir • Ponderosa Pine • Yew • Alder • Apple • Maple • Oak • Daisy • Foxglove • Lupines • Orchids • Paintbrush • Rose • Berries • Ferns • Moss or Lichens | Remnants of the old railroad are still present: trestles, tunnels, bridges, signal foundations, ties, spikes, etc. |
