Spruce Railroad Trail
What to Expect
Safety Advisory
The trail passes along some sections with steep drop-offs to the lakeshore below. The old railroad grade is wide, but keep children close to the uphill side in these stretches, especially when the trail is wet and slippery.
Trail Details
Pro Tips
Start from the East Beach trailhead (off East Beach Road) rather than the Camp David Jr. end — the first mile from East Beach offers the best lake views and you'll hit the tunnel feature before turning around if you don't want to do the full eight-mile out-and-back.
The trail is one of the rare Olympic paths that allows bikes, making it a solid option if you want to cover the full distance without doubling your time commitment. A mountain bike or gravel bike handles the surface easily.
The old McFee Tunnel is the photo opportunity here — the dark portal framing the lake and forest on the far side creates a natural composition that works in almost any light. Visit on an overcast day when the lake's blue color actually intensifies.
Photos
NPS
