Skinney Creek Restoration

Skinney Creek is a tributary to Chiwaukum Creek, along Highway 2, about 20 miles west of Leavenworth, WA. Being adjacent to a major highway has always had an impact on Skinney Creek. The original highway construction pushed Skinney Creek into a bermed ditch-like channel. Yakama Nation Fisheries approached the Forest Service with the idea of reconstructing Skinney Creek in the footprint of the old highway after highway was realigned.

Entiat Sustainable Recreation Strategy Completed

Together with the community and individuals who use these public lands, we have developed a strategic plan for how to manage recreation in the Entiat Valley looking 10 to 30 years into the future.

Recreation Survey for Upper Yakima River Basin

Survey results will soon be available for public land users near and far to tell the Forest Service and partners the types and locations of important outdoor recreation activities they enjoy in western Kittitas and Yakima Counties.

Statement from Regional Forester Glenn Casamassa

National Forest lands belong to everyone. The Forest Service has zero tolerance for racism, harassment, or intimidation in any form. Public lands should be a place of peace and refuge and our highest priority is providing a safe, welcoming, and inclusive experience for all visitors.

2018 Annual Report

How is the Forest providing clean water, economic opportunities, healthier landscapes, sustainable recreation, and so much more? Learn how we cared for the land and served people in 2018.

Commercial and Personal Use Mushroom Harvesting

Information about permits required, gathering guidelines, maps of potential personal use picking areas, and more...

What to Do When Lost in the Woods

A 1946 Forest Service publication with some great words of wisdom. [2-page PDF]

Forest Urges Protection of Natural Resources

The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest encourage the public to help protect and sustain our valued natural resources and recreation opportunities.

Current Aerial Insect and Disease Damage Survey Maps

The Forest Service has been conducting Aerial Insect and Disease Damage Surveys in the Pacific Northwest for 70 years. See the latest map for the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest and other forests across Oregon and Washington. You can zoom in on map and display a legend explaining color codes.

Wheelchair Accessible Trails on the Forest

Check out these great videos highlighting the opprortunities for wheelchair accessible adventures on this National Forest and many other forests across the Pacific Northwest.

Forest Restoration Strategy

The Okanogan-Wenatchee N.F. is experiencing uncharacteristically severe fires, insect infestations, disease epidemics, habitat loss and hydrologic events causing massive erosion. Climate change will exacerbate these threats in the near future. Scientists agree active, landscape-scale restoration is needed if the forest is to become resilient to these threats. Learn more by visiting the restoration strategy website

How to Start and Put Out a Campfire

A 5-minute Forest Service video

Forest Office Access Restricted

To support COVID-19 public health and safety measures, our offices are closed to the public until further notice.

Please call the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest office you need to visit for assistance by phone or email.

Fire Area Closures

There are many closures in effect due to wildfires in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest.  When planning your trip, please check to make sure the area you plan to visit is accessible and open for public use.

For a map of closures, go to the Interactive Closure Map

Draggin' Bottom

Summer is here and people are returning to our rivers to cool off. Salmon return to our rivers about this time too. They deposit their eggs in gravel on the river bottom — in shallow areas where the current is swift. These shallow areas are the same places where canoes, rafts and inner tubes drag bottom. People also tend to walk across the river in these shallow areas. People can help the salmon out by walking on dry ground instead of wading in the spawning beds. The places where salmon have spawned are one to three square yards in size. The gravel looks brighter than surrounding gravel.

Remember, if you’re draggin’ bottom, it’s time to watch for salmon and their spawning beds!

Hiking Safely with Mountain Goats

This Forest Service video titled "Hiking Safely with Goats" provides guidance and educational value for people recreating in areas where they are likely to have interactions with mountain goats.

Guided Snowshoe Walks

Guided Snowshoe Walks at Snoqualmie Pass, Stevens Pass and Swauk Sno-Park. Get outdoors and learn about winter ecology snowshoeing on the Okanogan-Wenatchee and Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forests January through March. No experience is necessary and the Forest Service provides snowshoes.