Capitol State Forest - McLane Creek

This is one of the best places to go if you're looking for wildlife and a little leg-stretchers. McLane Creek's boardwalk provides an intimate glimpse into nature, whether it's swimming families of news, spawning salmon, or laughing ducks. As always, please refrain from feeding the wildlife here. 

Beginning at the parking area, head down the trail closest to the water. Almost immediately, a diversion appears in the form of an overlook to your right. Turn down this little side platform, and get your first glimpse of a placid lake, home to ring-necked ducks, mallards, red-winged blackbirds, and many other chirping birds.

Peering into the water, you and your family will spy newts gliding among the lush green flora growing from the lake bottom.

Back on the trail, follow the boardwalk (which turns to soft surface trail at times) around to your first intersection. Take the righthand fork and cross (back on boardwalk) the outlet stream to the lake. Stumps in the lake provide perches for those waterfowl. How many happy, singing birds can you spot?

Continuing across the lake, turn left at the next junction and head back into deeper, wilder forest, where hemlock and cedar branches are twisted and draped in moss, and nurse logs are overtaken by the plants they have fostered. Straight ahead is a salmon-bearing stream. Follow the trail around to a lovely, large observation deck, which, in winter, provides an up-close, (if smelly) look into the life cycle of salmon.

Pressing on, you'll reach the first intersection. This time, turn left, and retrace your steps across the lake on the boardwalk. Once you are across, turn right this time and head for one last observation deck. Enjoy a last moment with the peace and quiet before heading back to your car.