Goat Rocks Wilderness: Okanogan-Wenatchee
The 108,096 acre Goat Rocks Wilderness is a portion of the volcanic Cascade Mountain Range in southwestern Washington located between Mt. Rainier and Mt. Adams. The Goat Rocks are remnants of a large volcano, extinct for some two million years.
Glaciation and erosion have worn away at the terrain here, leaving moderate summits on both sides of the Cascades. The elevation in the Goat Rocks ranges from 3,000 feet to 8,201 feet at Gilbert Peak.
Annual snowfall typically totals over 25 feet, not melting entirely until early August and keeping the ponds and lakes full in the warmer months. Pikas and marmots inhabit areas above timberline and mountain goats frequent the higher elevations.
The Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail (PCT) wanders north-south through the Wilderness for 31 miles, past 7,930-foot Old Snowy Mountain, where glaciers persist.
Help protect Goat Rocks by following wilderness regulations and using Leave No Trace principles.
Active Alerts
General Information
- Wilderness permits are required. These self-issuing permits are free and are available at the trailheads.
- Some trailheads that access Goat Rocks Wilderness require a day fee or valid recreation pass. Check the Recreation Pass and Permits page for details.
Restrictions
- Camping is prohibited within 100 feet of the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail and within 100 feet of lakes.
- No camping/campfires at Shoe Lake basin and Snow Grass Flats; camping is available at Hidden Springs (about 1 mile west of Shoe Lake).
- The Yakima Indian Reservation, bordering the Goat Rocks Wilderness on the southeast side, is closed to the general public except for the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail route.
Getting There
Directions
Goat Rocks Wilderness is southeast of Packwood, WA on the crest of the Cascade Range.
Trailheads that access Goat Rocks Wilderness:
- Conrad Meadows Trailhead - access to South Fork Tieton Trail #1120 or Bear Creek Mountain Trail #1130
- Scatter Creek - Nac Trailhead - access to North Fork Tieton Trail #1118 or Tieton Meadows Trail #1128
- Section 3 Lake Trailhead - access to Bear Creek Mountain Trail #1130 junctions with Bear Creek Mountain Lookout 1130A, Tieton Meadows Trail #1128
- Round Mountain Trailhead - access to Round Mountain Lookout #1144A and Pacific Crest Trail
- Pacific Crest Trail at White Pass - access to Pacific Crest Trail North and South bound
Trails within Goat Rocks Wilderness:
- Chairlift Trail #1112
- Hidden Springs Trail #1117
- Round Mountain Trail #1144
- Shoe Lake Trail #1119
For More Information
Gifford Pinchot National Forest - Goat Rocks Wilderness information.
Topo Maps
Hamilton Buttes, Jennies Butte, Ohanapecosh Hotsprings, Old Snowy Mountain, Packwood Lake, Pinegress Ridge, Spiral Butte, Walupt Lake, White Pass. Download free U.S. Forest Service Topo maps.
Buy maps online
Go to the National Forest Store.
Wilderness.net
Go to Wilderness.net for online maps and other important Wilderness information.
Facility and Amenity Information
Horse/Pack Animal Information
Horse/Pack animals are allowed at this site.
Weed-free feed is required. Find more information here.