Wilderness
The Wilderness Act of 1964 defines Wilderness as “an area where the earth and its community of life are untrammeled by man, where man himself is a visitor who does not remain.” The Act’s purpose is to preserve and protect the natural ecosystems and wild areas and also provide opportunities for solitude and retrospective or primitive recreation.
Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest manages 834,000 acres of designated Wilderness. A wide variety of plants and animals can be found in these areas. Please review regulations and permit information associated with individual Wilderness areas and always use Leave No Trace techniques to help keep these areas wild, clean, and pristine.
Wilderness areas at Mt. Baker Snoqualmie National Forest:
- Alpine Lakes Wilderness: Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie
- Boulder River Wilderness
- Clearwater Wilderness
- Glacier Peak Wilderness: Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie
- Henry M. Jackson Wilderness: Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie
- Mt. Baker Wilderness
- Noisy-Diobsud Wilderness
- Norse Peak Wilderness: Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie
- Wild Sky Wilderness
Regulations
The goal of wilderness management is to provide a pristine environment. Visitors can help preserve this unique landscape by careful planning and following the regulations. Wilderness regulations apply to all of these areas. Each Wilderness may have rules and requirements specific to that area.
Passes & Permits
Day-use visitors to Wilderness areas may need to fill-out a free, self-issue permit at ranger stations and trailheads. Carry a copy of the permit with you and deposit a portion in the box at the trailhead.
Overnight visitors to the Alpine Lakes Wilderness Enchantment Lakes area in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest must obtain an overnight Wilderness permit for the area's five separate permit zones: Core Enchantment, Snow Lake, Colchuck Lake, Stuart Lake and Eightmile/Caroline areas.
Some trailheads require a valid recreation pass. Check our Recreation Passes page.
Wilderness Safety
Wilderness travelers can take precautions to reduce the chance of backcountry emergencies. Have proper equipment, bring the 10 essentials, tell someone where you are going and when you will return. Weather can change suddenly in the mountain environment. Pack accordingly to avoid hypothermia or heat-related illnesses. Treat all water with a filter, iodine or by boiling for 10 minutes.