The Northwest Region stretches from the northern suburbs of Seattle to the Canadian border and includes Island, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish, and Whatcom counties. This region of mountains, valleys, islands, and Puget Sound shorelines features Blanchard Mountain, Lake Whatcom, Walker Valley, Cypress Island, and the Sultan Basin. The region has 28 recreational sites and 118 miles of trails for hiking, horseback and ORV use. DNR is also stewards of more than 35,000 acres of natural areas that protect high-quality wildlife and plant habitat and provide low-impact public use.
Updated: November 2, 2009
Find out which recreation sites in the Northwest Region are open or closed...and more. Select one of the following links:
Please note: Due to budget constraints, DNR has reduced services at many recreation facilities. There may not be amenities such as outhouses, picnic tables, signs, or garbage service. Some gates may be locked, but the public is welcome to access the areas on foot. Please pack out what you pack in. For updated information, go to a recreation site on this page, or download a map of Washington state that shows reduced services or other restrictions.
> Map of reduced services (690 KB PDF)
> Map of reduced services (1.1 MB JPG)
Major DNR Recreation Sites:
Recreation Areas by County
Please note: DNR may close a recreational facility or trail either temporarily or permanently for the purposes of protecting the environment, public safety, property, or to ensure DNR meets its management and administrative obligations. (Learn more | WAC 332-52-100)
Pets
Pets are allowed on department-managed lands, except in areas that are closed to pets or animals for the protection of wildlife, sensitive natural systems, special cultural areas, or for other purposes. All pets must be on leash. If pets are accompanying livestock, they can be off leash but must be voice controlled. (Learn more | WAC 332-52-140)
BLANCHARD FOREST (Skagit County)
| Trailheads | | Open | | |
| Lily Lake Trail | | Open | | |
| Lily Lake Backcountry Campground | | Open | | |
| Lizard Lake Trail | | Open | | |
| Lizard Lake Backcountry Campground | | Open | | |
CYPRESS ISLAND NATURAL rESOURCES CONSERVATION AREA (Skagit County)
| Cypress Island Natural Resources Conservation Area | | | | More information about Cypress Island NRCA
-- Camping allowed only at Cypress Head and Pelican Beach designated campsites. |
| Cypress Head | | Open | | -- No overnight camping after September 30. -- Day use OK year round.
-- Re-opens for camping Memorial Day weekend. |
| Pelican Beach | | Open | | -- No overnight camping after September 30. -- Day use OK year round.
-- Re-opens for camping Memorial Day weekend. |
| Strawberry Island | | Open | | -- Open for day-use only. No overnight camping. -- No garbage service. Please pack out what you pack in. (Including human waste.) |
| Trails | | Open | | Eagle Cliff Trail closed February 1 - July 15 |
mORNING STAR NATURAL RESOURCES AREA (Snohomish County)
| MORNING STAR NRCA Notes >> | | | | -- Toilet facilities will not longer be in service starting in October due to budget cuts. -- Most trails or trailheads will be minimally maintained or not maintained at all. -- All trails are primitive and unmarked hazards may exist.
-- Leave No Trace standards for backcountry users.
-- No campfires except in approved fire pits. -- Heavy seasonal snows naturally close most or all of the recreation sites and access roads each year typically from November through June or July. -- Winter recreation such as snowshoeing, skiing, and other non-motorized foot travel are allowed. |
| Ashland Lakes Trail & Trailhead Access | | Open | | Road access via US Forest Service Road (FS 4020). Contact the Forest Service for current access information. |
| Bald Mountain Trail | | Open | | -- For information about access via the Ashland Lakes Trail, go to Ashland Lakes Trail & Trailhead above. -- For information about access via Cutthroat Lakes, see information for Cutthroat Lakes and Walt Bailey trails. |
| Beaver Plant Lake | | Open | | |
| Big Greider Lake | | CLOSED | | -- See Boulder/Greider Lakes Trailhead Access for current information. -- Open for camping June 16 - October 31 |
| Boulder Lake Campground | | CLOSED | | -- See Boulder/Greider Lakes Trailhead Access for current information. -- Open for camping June 16 - October 31 |
| Boulder/Greider Lakes Trailhead Access | | Open | | -- Access to Boulder/Greider Lakes Trailhead (Mondays – Thursdays): Vehicles can take the South Shore Road to the South Fork Bridge, with hike-in access only beyond this point. (About 5 miles from the trailhead.)
-- Access to Boulder/Greider Lakes Trailhead (Fridays – Sundays):
Vehicles can access the area by the South Shore Road to the Snohomish County Public Utilities District’s Site 3, with hike-in access only beyond this point. (Approximately 2 miles below the trailhead.) For road/gate status, check the PUD website. |
| Cutthroat Lakes | | Open | | -- Access via Bald Mountain Trail -- Road access via U.S. Forest Service Road (FS 4032) access to the trailhead was temporarily closed due to seasonally heavy snow and winter storm damage. |
| Greider Lakes Trail | | Open | | -- See Boulder/Greider Lakes Trailhead Access for current information. |
| Little Greider Lake | | CLOSED | | -- See Boulder/Greider Lakes Trailhead Access for current information. -- Open for camping June 16 - October 31. |
| Lower Ashland Lake | | Open | | See Ashland Lakes and Trailhead access for current information. |
| Mount Pilchuck Trail System | | Open | | -- See Ashland Lakes trailhead, Upper and Lower Ashland Lakes, Beaver Plant Lake and Twin Falls Lake for current information. |
| Reflection Ponds Loop Trail & Viewing Area | | Open | | -- See Boulder/Greider Lakes Trailhead Access for current information.. |
| Twin Falls Lake Trail | | CLOSED | | -- Due to severe storm damage to bridge crossings and hazardous conditions. |
| Twin Falls Lake campground | | CLOSED | | -- Due to severe storm damage to bridge crossings and hazardous conditions. |
| Upper Ashland Lake Campground | | Open | | See Ashland Lakes and Trailhead access for current information. |
| Walt Bailey Trail | | Open | | -- Road access via U.S. Forest Service road (FS 4032) temporarily closed due to storm damage 2 years ago. |
San JUAN COUNTY
| Cattle Point & Trail | | Open | | |
| Cattle Point Lighthouse | | Open | | |
Skagit COUNTY
| Blanchard Forest | | | | |
| Cypress Island NRCA | | | | |
| Les Hilde Trailhead & Trails | | Open | | |
| Samish Island | | Open | | Facilities removed. Trail and beach access not maintained. |
| Walker Valley ORV Riding Area | | Open | | -- Expect reduced maintenance/services.
-- Work parties take place every 2nd Saturday of the month. Show up at the trailhead at 9 a.m. Work as long as you want. Directions. |
| WC Dearinger Camp | | Open | | -- Facilities removed. Pack-in; pack-out. -- Road closed 1 mile below camp. -- Access by foot only. |
Snohomish COUNTY
Whatcom COUNTY
| Lake Louise NRCA | | Open | | |
| Lummi Island NRCA | | Open | | |
June 8