Sams River
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| Sams River | |
|---|---|
  Mouth of Sams River in Washington | |
| Location | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Washington |
| Region | Olympic Peninsula |
| County | Jefferson |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | Finely Peak |
| • location | Olympic National Park |
| • coordinates | 47°35′18″N 123°45′28″W / 47.58833°N 123.75778°W[1] |
| • elevation | 2,780 ft (850 m)[2] |
| Mouth | Queets River |
• location | Olympic National Park |
• coordinates | 47°37′26″N 124°0′46″W / 47.62389°N 124.01278°W[1] |
• elevation | 290 ft (88 m)[3] |
| Length | 15.7 mi (25.3 km)[4] |
| Basin size | 30.8 sq mi (80 km2)[5] |
Sams River is a river in the U.S. state of Washington. A tributary of the Queets River, Sams River flows through Olympic National Park and Olympic National Forest. Part of the river's lower course forms the boundary between the national park and national forest.
Sams River is 15.7 miles (25.3 km) long.[4] Its drainage basin is 30.8 square miles (80 km2) in area.[5]
Sams River originates on the north slopes of Finley Peak in Olympic National Park. The river flows north a short distance, then west between Sams Ridge, to the north, and Matheny Ridge, to the south. Along the way the river leaves the national park and enters Olympic National Forest. For several miles the national park and forest boundary runs along the crest of Sams Ridge. At the western end of the ridge, where the Olympic Mountains open up into broader valleys, the boundary follows Sams River. The boundary turns south near the mouth of Sams River, leaving the final half mile or so within the national park.
Sams River joins the Queets River just upstream from Queets Campground, located near Sams Rapids on the Queets River. The Queets Ranger Station is located about a mile downstream from Sams River.[6]