Reiter Foothills and Walker Valley
   

 

Reiter Foothills Forest

 
Popular among off-road-vehicle riders, Reiter Foothills Forest is a hub for motorized recreationists, complete with 4x4, ATV and motorcycle trails and areas designed for trials bikes. In 2010, the agency adopted a Reiter Foothills Forest Recreation Plan to prioritize long-term recreation opportunities, consistent with the agency's obligation to protecting habitat for wildlife and generating revenue for public services and public school construction. DNR developed this recreation plan in partnership with a broad range of recreationists, representatives from Wallace Falls State Park and Snohomish County, and the surrounding Gold Bar, Index, Monroe and Sultan communities.  
 
When working in or visiting a working forest like Reiter Foothills, always remember to:
  • Be alert for other road users, ranging from heavy vehicles for timber activities to mountain bikes and horseback riders. Check your speed accordingly.
  • Know the fire risk and any burn bans or Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) restrictions before entering.
Those interested in learning about planned forest activities in, or near, the Reiter Foothills Forest area may use our Habitat Conservation Plan, recreation planning, Forest Practices Application Review System (FPARS), and State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) web pages to find out about proposed and authorized timber harvests, thinning projects, road projects, planning efforts, and other activities.
 
Hours
Reiter Foothills Forest is open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Outside of the summer season, hours change to 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Reiter Foothills Forest is open on Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day.
  • Obey posted signs and stay off unsigned or closed trails.
  • No dispersed camping, day-use only.
  • No garbage service. Pack out what you pack in.
  • Stay on designated trails.
  • Only ride on trails that fit your vehicle. ATV trails have a maximum width of 54".
  • 4X4 trails are designed for 4x4 vehicles only.
  • Discover Pass required on all street-legal vehicles, including motorcycles and 4x4s.
  • Report illegal activity to DNR's Forest Watch program at 1-855-883-8268 or forestwatch@dnr.wa.gov.
Recreation Alert: The Sky Rider Timber Sale in the Motorized Area has had instances of visitors riding closed trails, vandalism, and theft of privately-owned equipment. To protect DNR-owned and private property, natural resources, and for public safety, DNR will start conducting concentrated enforcement patrols in the area. If incidents continue in this area, DNR may add other strategic methods to keep the public safe and protect property and resources. 
  • Starting Monday, July 20, trails within the sale boundary will be closed seven days a week until further notice. 
  • Until July 20, trails will be closed Monday – Friday and open on a limited basis Saturday and Sunday. The operator plans to work all seven days per week. They will likely complete the sale early, and we can reopen sooner than later.
  • If visiting, please be aware of traffic and harvest operations.
This sale is a thinning (i.e., removing roughly 1/3rd of the trees) to improve habitat for sensitive wildlife species. Road construction will occur on and across some trails and be abandoned to accommodate ATV and motorbike use in the future. The sale should be completed no later than 3/31/2022. 
 
 
 
Directions
From Gold Bar, continue east on Highway 2. Turn left on Reiter Road. After 1 mile, stay right at the fork. Turn left after 3.2 miles onto a DNR forest road, Deer Flats Road. Continue to the parking areas, which will be marked.
 
Get Involved
Join us for a monthly Reiter Foothills work party to give back to trails you love.
 
For more information, email Cascade District Recreation Manager Ben Cooksey.
 
 

Walker Valley ORV Area

 
A working forest near Mount Vernon, Walker Valley Forest offers 36 miles of trails popular with ORV enthusiasts. The Walker Valley ORV Area has single track trails for motorcycles and mountain bikes, double-track trails for ATVs and 6 miles of 4x4 trails. 
 
When working in or visiting a working forest like Walker Valley, always remember to:
  • Be alert for other road users, ranging from heavy vehicles for timber activities to mountain bikes and horseback riders. Check your speed accordingly.
  • Know the fire risk and any burn bans or Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) restrictions before entering.
Those interested in learning about planned forest activities in, or near, the Walker Valley Forest area may use our Habitat Conservation Plan, recreation planning, Forest Practices Application Review System (FPARS), and State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) web pages to find out about proposed and authorized timber harvests, thinning projects, road projects, planning efforts, and other activities.
 
Recreation alert: Expect heavy logging truck traffic on the Walker Valley Main Line, also known as Peter Burns Road, and the Bear Creek Mainline Road. Drive slowly and exercise caution of logging trucks. 
 
Directions: Start at I-5 exit 227. Go east on SR-538 for 4 miles. Turn south on SR-9. Go 3 miles (milepost 42). Turn left on Walker Valley Road. Go 2 miles. Turn right on to Peter Barns Road. Go 1 mile, then to Walker Valley trailhead on right, just past the bridge. Get directions.
 
Trail maps
View a trail map of Walker Valley.