Mima Falls is located in the capital state forest near the evergreen sportsman club. The Mima Falls loop is a moderate hike that covers 6.2 miles, with an elevation gain of 803 feet. It takes about 2.5-3 hours to complete. It is considered family friendly, while still being able to offer a good work out. It is one of the more popular trails in the area thanks to its accessibility and scenic variety.
Recently I went on a shorter hike out there last weekend. My partner and I started at the entrance which is the Mima Falls trail head and parking lot. The parking lot is clean and well organized with space for people to park and unload horse trailers. Closer to where the trail actually starts there is a male and female bathroom and maps with updates about the trail. It’s reassuring to have maps at the beginning of the trail head so you can make and plan your path ahead of time.
The weather was nice and sunny, just quite cold but we made it through. We hiked along the trail all the way until we actually reached the falls itself before taking a break, having a snack, and packing out the way we came. From the trail head to the falls its just over 2 miles so in total we hiked about 4, it took us roughly 3 hours to do mainly because we kept stopping to take in the scenery.
The trails don’t get a ton of maintenance but seem nicely kept. You cross about two bridges that cover small waterways and get a gorgeous view of a large marsh with various kinds of wildlife. There are plenty of navigational signs and maps posted along the trail making it difficult to get lost. Which is something I personally appreciate as someone who tends to get turned around easily. The trail offers a mix of forested paths, open stretches, and glimpse of wetlands, which keeps the hike consistently visually interesting.
When we finally reached the falls it was gorgeous! Watching the smooth flowing stream turn into a powerful flush of
water cascading down the eroded rocks, then changing back to flowing calmly the rest of the way was such a cool thing to watch. They have a little rest area located next to the falls so my partner and I stopped to take a small breath and munch on some of the food I brought before heading back. The hike out was technically the same route, but it felt different because each direction offers a different perspective and something new to notice.
The only negative thing I have to say about this trail is that since they allow horses and cyclists on the trail it did get kinda annoying to have to dodge incoming bike riders on the trail, and as for the horses we didn’t see any but we sure did see what they left behind. Many part of the trail had large piles of horse feces which was pretty gross and unbelievably smelly. However the piles were avoidable and not that common so it didn’t really affect our time hiking too much. Still it is something hikers should be prepared for if there sensitive to smells like that or prefer pristine trails.
Mima Falls is an excellent hike that covers a good distance and how far you go is easily adjustable because of the number of connecting trails it offers. If you like hiking or nature and find yourself in the capital forest area, i would definitely recommend giving this trail a try. Its a nice option for casual hikers, families, and anyone looking for a relaxing outdoor escape.
