Reiter Foothills Forest
Updated: Feburary 1, 2010
Reiter Foothills Forest Temporarily Closed
In November 2009, the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) temporarily closed recreation access to the Reiter Foothills Forest to all but foot traffic. The closure will better enable staff and volunteers to restore environmental damage from unauthorized trails and to design and build trails in more sustainable locations. DNR wants to reopen the area as soon as possible in 2010, but will need to do so in a manner that is consistent with our mission of environmental stewardship.
>> News release about temporary closure
>> Fact Sheet about temporary closure
Volunteers have and will play a major role in reopening Reiter Foothills Forest. In the coming months, DNR will be scheduling work parties, field visits, trainings, and trail devlopment meetings. If you'd like to help in any of these efforts, please send an email to reiterfoothills@dnr.wa.gov and request to be put on the email list to receive Reiter updates.
Status of the Recreation Plan
DNR, recreation users, and local citizens have developed a plan for future recreation needs in Reiter Foothills Forest. The Reiter Foothills Forest Recreation Plan has undergone the public review and the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) process. DNR received more than 300 comments and is currently responding to all of the comments. Thanks to everyone who commented on the draft Reiter Foothills Forest Recreation Plan and SEPA process!
If you'd like to keep current with the plan's developments, send an email to reiterfoothills@dnr.wa.gov .
Because the following maps may be difficult to read in the draft plan above, they are linked below as separate files:
The following links were presentations provided to the Reiter Planning Committee, which participated in the Reiter Foothills Forest planning process.
In addition, you can find more information and background about the Reiter Foothills Forest planning process further down this page.
Where is Reiter Foothills?
The 10,000-acre Reiter Foothills State Forest is a continuous block of forest land located in Snohomish County 30 miles east of Everett between Gold Bar and Index. The state forest is sandwiched between Highway 2 and the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest.
Why the focus on recreation planning in Reiter?
Thousands of visitors annually use the trails and facilities in Reiter to enjoy off-road vehicle riding, horseback riding, hiking, and mountain biking. The southern portion, in particular, has become increasingly popular for ATV, motorcycle, and 4x4 use.
Reiter’s popularity has led to overuse, with a great deal of environmental damage occurring in stream and streamside habitats. DNR, the Departments of Ecology and Fish and Wildlife, and the Tulalip Tribes have jointly identified some interim measures to protect the area against further damage. But the area has a pressing need for well-planned recreation facilities and trails.
The planning process
Since April 2008, a 15-member advisory committee of motorized and non-motorized recreation users, local citizens, surrounding property managers, and city and county representatives have been working collaboratively to create a long-term plan for recreation in Reiter Foothills. The group meets regularly to learn more about the recreational needs in the area and to determine how best to provide for different types of recreational uses.
What is the timeline for recreation planning in Reiter?
January 2008 — Planning process initiated
April 2008 — Advisory committee begins meeting
Fall 2009 — Public workshops, SEPA process
Fall/Winter 2009 — Final Reiter Foothills plan available
For more information about the Reiter Foothills planning process, download any of the following files: