Boulder River Wilderness
Towering to nearly 7,000 feet above valleys not far above sea level, the tall peaks of Whitehorse Mountain and Three Fingers are the two most prominent landmarks in this wilderness and are very visible from much of the Puget Sound area. The South Peak of Three Fingers is home to an old fire lookout. Climbers are challenged by the mixed rock and ice climbs available on the higher peaks, while wonderful rock routes are found in both the Squire and Clear Creek valleys.
Boulder River Trail 734 is the most popular trail in the wilderness and passes through gorgeous old growth forest of Douglas Fir, western hemlock, western red cedar with even a few Sitka spruce thrown in. Just inside the wilderness on the trail popular “Feature Show Falls” drops over a 200 foot cliff directly into the Boulder River. Precipitation in the area exceeds 150 inches per year annually and combined with the steep terrain and thick brush, makes off-trail travel arduous.
The wilderness is inhabited with a variety of wildlife including black bears, black-tailed deer, cougar and mountain goats staking out the rocky shelves. Congress designated the Boulder River Wilderness in 1984 and it now has a total of 49,343 acres.
Help protect your wilderness by following wilderness regulations and using Leave No Trace principles.
General Information
Trailheads that access Boulder River Wilderness:
- Boulder River Trailhead (Boulder River Trail 734)
- Canyon Lake Trailhead (Canyon Lake Trail 720)
- Eight-Mile Trailhead (Eight-Mile Trail 654.02)
- Kelcema Lake Trailhead (Kelcema Lake Trail 718)
- Marten Creek Trailhead (Marten Creek Trail 713)
- Neiderprum Trailhead (Neiderprum Trail 653)
- Squire creek Trailhead (Squire Creek Trail 654)
- Meadow Mountain/Saddle Lake Trailhead (Three Fingers-Goat Flats-Saddle Lake Trail 641)
- Camping is prohibited within 200 feet slope distance from the shoreline of the Bandana Lake and Saddle Lake.
- Campfires are prohibited within 200 feet slope distance of Bandanaor Saddle Lakes and within ¼ mile of the Three Fingers Trail #641 from Saddle Lake; Campfires are prohibited in the Goat Flats area.
- All trails within the Boulder River Wilderness are closed to use by pack and saddle stock due to steep grades, inadequate design, lack of grazing or other factors.
Address: 1405 Emens Avenue North Darrington, WA 98241
Phone: (360) 436-1155
Hours: Regular hours: Open Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:00 pm; closed 12:00 - 1:00 pm for lunch. Closed Saturday & Sunday. (Closed on federal holidays)
Getting There
Directions
Topo Maps
Meadow Mountain, Whitehorse Mountain, Helena Ridge, Silverton, Malardy Ridge. Download free U.S. Forest Service Topo maps.
Buy maps online
Go to the US Geological Survey Map Store.
Wilderness.net
Go to Wilderness.net for online maps and other important Wilderness information.
Facility and Amenity Information
Restrooms
Restroom information is not available for this site.
Water
Potable water is not available at this site.
Nearby Trails
- Boulder River Trail 734
- Canyon Lake Trail 720
- Eight-Mile Trail 654.02
- Kelcema Lake Trail 718
- Marten Creek Trail 713
- Neiderprum Trail 653
- Squire Creek Trail 654
- Three Fingers-Goat Flats-Saddle Lake Trail 641