Wildcat/Nisqually Loop Trail

Total Miles 11.4
Technical Rating
4 Moderate
Best Time Summer
Trail Type High-Clearance 4x4 Trail
Accessible By
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Trail Overview

This 11.9-mile trail run starts off somewhat deceiving with nice wide, well-maintained gravel, that winds its way through the Gifford Pinchot National Forest and eventually drops down along the Little Nisqually River, but 6.5 miles in, the trail begins to get tight. Even in our 4Runner and Tacoma we were scraping and regretting not having limb risers, so full-size vehicles be warned, you will get pinstripes and damage. The last 5.4 miles of the trail get technical with long hanging branches, tight trails, and poor trail conditions. We ended the official track at a semi-washed-out bridge. The bridge itself is cool to see as it's made out of fallen timbers and had probably 3 feet of dirt on top to drive across but the dirt in some areas had washed out and you can see through to the river 5-6 feet below. We ventured over the bridge (in hind site we shouldn't have) and came across even tighter trails, and were eventually stopped by a broken down vehicle blocking the trail with about 2 feet of snow a quarter mile past that point. This trail is definitely recommended for summer and early fall.

Photos of Wildcat/Nisqually Loop Trail

Difficulty

Numerous potholes ranging in size and depth, washboarded trails, washouts encroaching the trail in some areas, and a bridge that is partially washed out.

Technical Rating

4

Status Reports

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Nick
Feb 28, 2026
Open
We were able to get up to the camp sites. Be prepared for pin stripping. Drove with a subaru but anything bigger will hit branches on both sides. Couldnt make it to the top since the bridge around 2150ft was washed out and was to sketch to drive over a make shift fix
Sean D
Dec 21, 2025
Open
Mix of muddy wet / snow in sections. Snow was thawed and slick. There’s a good washout just past 400186. See photo. We turned around at washout.
Justin Allen
Nov 28, 2025
Open
Still very overgrown, and lots of large puddles. Not sure why the rating is so high, but it was not terribly difficult
Tyrone A
Oct 04, 2025
Open
Lots of overgrown brush. Dont do it unless you are ok with getting pin stripes.
Curtis Peetz
Jul 17, 2025
Open
Ken Lees
Jan 12, 2025
Open

Wildcat/Nisqually Loop Trail Trail can be accessed by the following ride types:

  • Single Track
  • 50 Inch
  • 60 Inch
  • High Clearance

Wildcat/Nisqually Loop Trail Map

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