Wenatchee River Ranger District

Lake and peak in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness

The Wenatchee River Ranger District encompasses approximately 696,000 acres and extends from the near the city of Wenatchee and the Columbia River to the crest of the Cascades in the Glacier Peak and Alpine Lakes Wilderness areas. It is bordered by the Entiat Ranger District to the north along the Entiat Mountains divide and by the Cle Elum Ranger District to the south along the Wenatchee Mountains - Mt. Stuart divide. To the west of the district is the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest.

Winter Recreation
See the Washington State Snowmobile Sno-Parks site or Non-Motorized Sno-Parks site for Leavenworth / Lake Wenatchee area which has maps and information about groomed trails, passes you will need (Discover or Sno-Park pass) and other updates.

 

Midnight and Noontime Rocks and vicinity are annually closed to entry April 1 through July 31, to protect nesting raptors. 

Attention Climbers: Raptor nesting behavior has been observed on both Midnight and Noontime Rocks. To protect these birds during the nesting period, these rocks and the area immediately above and between them is closed to all entry. Once nesting is confirmed, restrictions will be lifted on the rock not being used. If you know where the raptors are nesting, please contact the Leavenworth FS office. More Information

At a Glance

Current Conditions: Current Wenatchee River Recreation / Roads Conditions
Operational Hours: Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Restrictions: Wilderness regulations apply in designated wilderness areas.
Closest Towns: Leavenworth, WA
Passes: Some trailheads require a valid recreation pass. Check our Recreation Passes and Permits page for details.

General Information

Directions:

Wenatchee River Ranger District
600 Sherbourne
Leavenworth, WA 98826
(509) 548-2550 or 548-2551
Fax: (509) 548-5817


Recreation Map

Map showing recreational areas. Map Information

Activities

Sand Play

Lake and Pond Fishing

Areas for Lake and Pond Fishing at Wenatchee River Ranger District

River and Stream Fishing

Day Hiking

Areas for Day Hiking at Wenatchee River Ranger District

Backpacking

Areas for Backpacking at Wenatchee River Ranger District

Horse Camping

Areas for Horse Camping at Wenatchee River Ranger District

Horse Riding

Areas for Horse Riding at Wenatchee River Ranger District

Viewing Wildlife

Target Shooting

The forest is generally open to this activity. We do not have a recommended areas for shooting.  However regulations do address areas where the activity is specifically prohibited (such as campgrounds, administrative sites, rental cabins/ lodges, etc.). See below.  Additionally, hanging targets on trees is prohibited because it causes resource (timber) damage.  It is best to find an earth slope as a back stop to any shooting activity.  Other municipal and county ordinances may apply.  Most municipalities prohibit shooting within 1 mile of the city limits. 

36 C.F.R. § 261.10  --

Prohibited:

(d) Discharging a firearm or any other implement capable of taking human life, causing injury, or damaging property as follows:

(1) In or within 150 yards of a residence, building, campsite, developed recreation site or occupied area, or

(2) Across or on a National Forest System road or a body of water adjacent thereto, or in any manner or place whereby any person or property is exposed to injury or damage as a result in such discharge.

(3) Into or within any cave.

Interpretive Areas

Areas for Interpretive Areas at Wenatchee River Ranger District

Visitor Centers

Boating - Motorized

Areas for Boating - Motorized at Wenatchee River Ranger District

Boating - Non-Motorized

Areas for Boating - Non-Motorized at Wenatchee River Ranger District

Swimming

Sledding/Tubing

Areas for Sledding/Tubing at Wenatchee River Ranger District

Skiing/Snowboarding

Areas for Skiing/Snowboarding at Wenatchee River Ranger District

Mushing/Skijoring

See the Washington State Snowmobile SnoParks site or Non-Motorized SnoParks site for Leavenworth / Lake Wenatchee area which has maps and information about groomed trails, passes you will need (Discover or SnoPark pass) and other updates.

Areas for Mushing/Skijoring at Wenatchee River Ranger District

XC Skiing/Snowshoeing

See the Washington State Non-Motorized SnoParks site for Leavenworth / Lake Wenatchee area which has maps and information about groomed trails, passes you will need (Discover or SnoPark pass) and other updates.

Areas for XC Skiing/Snowshoeing at Wenatchee River Ranger District

Snowmobiling

See the Washington State Snowmobile SnoParks site for the Leavenworth / Lake Wenatchee area which has maps and information about groomed trails, passes you will need (Discover or SnoPark pass) and other updates.

Areas for Snowmobiling at Wenatchee River Ranger District