granting access across state trust lands

Washington's Department of Natural Resources (DNR) manages 3 million acres of state-owned trust lands. One of DNR's responsibilities as a trust land manager is to grant access and other rights-of-way across trust lands, as provided for in state law.

All use of state trust lands requires written permission and payment of compensation to the trusts.

DNR primarily gants to other governmental entities for public roads and utilities, and to forest and agricultural landowners for access to valuable materials.

If you believe you require access across DNR-managed lands, please contact the DNR Region Office in your area.

DNR does not regularly grant requests for residential rights-of-way and easements. Private residential use almost always conflicts with DNR land management activities and poses safety concerns for users of DNR's road system. For more information please see "Do you have legal access to your property—How to prevent trespass across state trust lands?"

Rights-of-Way Documents

• Verifiying Legal Access to my Property
• Rights-of-Way Application Instructions   
• Rights-of-Way Application Form, PDF File  NOTE: Application is also available in a Word File upon request. 
• Generating a Preliminary Map
• Sample of Preliminary Map
• Requirements for Records of Survey

Publications

• Do you have legal access to your property? How to avoid trespass on state trust land roads.