Mud Mountain Dam Rim and River Trails

For a real hike, combine these two trails to get in 11 miles of hiking. Start at the Mud Mountain Dam Park. The start of the trail is right at the entrance gate. Park inside the park as long as you are getting back in time before the gate closes for the night. If not, a trailhead is just back the road several hundred yards. The 2 mile Rim Trail follows the rim over the White River with occasional views of nearby mountains. It is mostly easy walking and open to hikers. When reaching another kiosk at 2 miles, this is where the equestrian parking access merges in. Keep hiking and the trail is now the 3.1 mile River Trail. It wanders down through mature forest with a loop option. The trail gradually opens into mudflats along the banks of the White River. Here you find wide open scenic views, wildlife and access the White River. The River Trail is open to bikes and horses. Keep going, staying close to the river keep and eye out for the trail marker signs. Things get interesting once you are back in the forest. Over the years, there have been several washouts and the trail has been rerouted many times. The Scatter Creek crossing hopefully has a log crossing or it will be a ford. A section of trail goes through stickers that grow quickly; hopefully the trail has been maintained for you. Push through; the trail improves near the end. It abruptly ends at a road and toilet. For a good finish, take a right on the road and follow several minutes to road end at the scenic Fish Release Site.