Wilderness
One of our nation's greatest treasures -- the National Wilderness Preservation System. This system protects our nation's lands in their natural form.
Established by the Wilderness Act in 1964, Congress formalized that certain lands in America will be protected and preserved in their natural condition. These lands will not experience any permanent improvements nor habitation. They are to remain wild and untouched.
Know the law! Because Wilderness areas are protected, there are a few extra rules and regulations to keep in mind. Keep reading to review the rules, restrictions, and permits required.
There are eight Wilderness areas within the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest:
Know Before you Go!
Wilderness Name | Pass and Permit Information |
| Visitors are asked to sign the trailhead register. Some trailheads require a valid recreation pass. Check our Recreation Passes and Permits page for details. Contact for more information:
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| Alpine Lakes | Overnight Permits by advance reservation are required in the Enchantments Permit Area of this Wilderness from May 15 to October 31. Free self-issue Day Hiking permits are available at trailheads. In all other areas self-issue permits are available at trailheads for overnight or day hiking. Some trailheads require a valid recreation pass. Check our Recreation Passes and Permits page for details. Contact for more information:
West side of Wilderness on Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest:
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| Glacier Peak | Visitors are asked to sign the trailhead register. Some trailheads require a valid recreation pass. Check our Recreation Passes and Permits page for details. Contact for more information:
West side of Wilderness on Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest:
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| Henry M. Jackson | Visitors are asked to sign the trailhead register. Some trailheads require a valid recreation pass. Check our Recreation Passes and Permits page for details. Contact for more information:
Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest:
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| Lake Chelan - Sawtooth | Wilderness permit not required to hike or camp including on the Lakeshore Trail. Stehekin is not part of this wilderness and people desiring to camp in Stehekin will need to book a campsite on recreation.gov. A Federal Dock Site Boat Permit is required from May 1 – October 31 for use of all National Forest and Park Service docks on Lake Chelan. Permits must be pre-purchased before docking. Some trailheads may require a valid recreation pass. Check our Recreation Passes and Permits page for details. Contact for more information:
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| Norse Peak | Wilderness permit required. Permits are free and self-issued at trailheads. Some trailheads require a valid recreation pass. Check our Recreation Passes and Permits page for details. Contact for more information:
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| William O. Douglas | Wilderness permit required. Permits are free and self-issued at trailheads. Some trailheads require a valid recreation pass. Check our Recreation Passes and Permits page for details. Contact for more information:
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| Goat Rocks | Wilderness permit required. Permits are free and self-issued at trailheads. Some trailheads require a valid recreation pass. Check our Recreation Passes and Permits page for details. Contact for more information:
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Motorized/Mechanized Equipment Prohibited
- No motorized/mechanized equipment in Wilderness areas (this includes bicycles, e-bikes, carts, wagons, chainsaws, hang gliders, aircrafts, drones, motorbikes, ATVS, Jeeps, snowmobiles or any vehicle with a motor)
- No drones (including quadcopters, model aircrafts and other unmanned aerial systems)
- No landing planes/aircrafts (no air dropping supplies, materials or people)
Maximum Party-size is 12
- No more than 12 in a group, in any combination of people/pack animals. Groups exceeding 12 must divide into logistically separate parties and maintain a minimum of one-mile of separation.
- No more than 8 in a group within the Enchantments Permit Area.
Avoid Restoration Areas
- Some areas are closed to allow the natural vegetation a chance to recover after years of heavy recreation use. Do not walk or camp in areas posted as being closed for restoration.
- Please camp at least 100 feet from lakes and the Pacific Crest Trail to protect fragile vegetation.
- No shortcutting trails or switchbacks, as this damages the trails, soil and vegetation.
Pack Saddle and Stock
- Certified weed-free feed is required in all National Forests in the Pacific Northwest. This helps prevent the introduction and spread of invasive plants.
- Grazing, hitching, tethering, or hobbling any pack and/or saddle livestock within 200 feet of a lakeshore is prohibited.
Campfires often Not Allowed
- Do not build campfires where posted as prohibited. Camp stoves are recommended instead.
No Dogs in parts of the Alpine Lake Wilderness
- Dogs and all pets are prohibited in the Enchantment Permit Area and Ingalls Lake area of Alpine Lakes Wilderness except for Service Dogs as defined by Department of Justice regulations 28 C.F.R. Part 35.136.
- Dogs whose sole purpose is to provide therapy, comfort, emotional support or crime deterrent do not qualify as Service Dogs.
- Dogs are allowed on most other wilderness trails, providing that they are under control at all times. Certain trails require them to be leashed.
Caching Restrictions
- Leaving or storing equipment, personal property or supplies is prohibited. Do not leave items unattended for more than 48 hours. This will reduce the chances of wildlife scattering equipment and supplies and keep the landscape free from signs of human activity.
No Cutting Trees or Plants
- Cutting standing green trees, snags and boughs is prohibited. Healthy trees and decrepit snags are important components of the ecosystem.
The following area has additional rules and restrictions:
Year-round campfire restrictions are in effect for these locations in the following areas:
- Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area – Above 5,000 feet elevation in the Wenatchee National Forest and within a half mile of these lakes: Hope, Josephine, Leland, Little Eightmile, Mig, Nada, Swimming Deer, Square, Trout, Wolverine, Upper and Lower Grace, Lake Donald, Lake Ethel, Lake Julius, Lake Susan Jane, Deep, Glacier, Lake Ivanhoe, Rachel, Rebecca, Shovel, Spectacle, and Upper Park.
- Goat Rocks Wilderness Area – Within a quarter mile of Shoe Lake Basin and Snow Grass Flats.
- Henry M. Jackson Wilderness Area – Within a quarter mile of Lake Sally Ann, Lake Minotaur, Lake Theseus, Heather Lake, Glasses Lake, and Lake Valhalla.
- William O. Douglas Wilderness Area – Within a quarter mile of Dewey Lake.
Human Waste
- Select a site at least 200 feet from a water source whenever possible. Bury waste in a hole three- to six-inches deep and cover with soil. Use backcountry toilets whenever possible. Pack out waste where toilets are not available and digging is not possible, such as in sup-alpine areas, snow, rock, or glaciers.
Pack out Trash
- If you pack it in, you must pack it out. In areas where fires are allowed, remove all non-combustibles such as foil, glass, and metal from fire rings.
Respect Wildlife
- Watch from a distance and keep pets from harassing wild animals.
Possession or use of fireworks or other explosives are prohibited on National Forest lands at all times.
Regulations prohibit discharging a firearm or any weapon capable of injuring others:
- Within 150 yards of a residence, building, campsite, developed recreation site or occupied area
- Across roads, trails, bodies of water, or where people or property are exposed to injury or damage
- Into a cave
- Into areas that cause any type of resource damage. Do not shoot trees, rocks, stumps, or non-game animals.
Violation of these rules and regulations which apply to designated Wilderness are punishable by a fine or imprisonment. (16 U.S.C. 551, 18 U.S.C. 3559 and 3571).
