Reiter Foothills and Walker Valley
   

 

Attention:  Alerts and Closures

 
Recreation alert: The following gravel pits are now CLOSED for target shooting due to increased fire danger in the area:
  • High Rock pit off of Lake Fontal road.
  • Studebaker pit off of Sultan Basin road.
  • Other misc. areas off Sultan Basin road.
Recreation alert: Expect heavy logging truck traffic on the Bear Creek Mainline Road in the Walker Valley ORV Area. Drive slowly and exercise caution around logging trucks. 
 
 
 
 
Reiter Foothills Forest's 10,000 acres are located between sub-alpine wilderness and the Skykomish River valley, surrounded by beautiful snow-capped mountain peaks.
 
Reiter Foothills Forest
 
Popular among off-road-vehicle riders, Reiter Foothills State 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 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.
 
Trail maps
 
Planning
 
Hours
Reiter Foothills Forest is open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily from Memorial Day to Labor Day. The rest of the year hours of operation are 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.
  • Discover Pass required on all street-legal vehicles, including motorcycles and 4x4s.
  • Report illegal activity to DNR's Forest Watch program at 1-855-886-8268 or forestwatch@dnr.wa.gov.
Directions: To access the motorized area from Gold Bar, continue east on U.S. 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. 
 
The Reiter Foothills Public Forum meetings are open for all to attend. Learn more here.
 
 
The Walker Valley ORV Area has single track trails for motorcycles and mountain bikes, double-track trails for ATVs and 6 miles of 4x4 trail
 
Walker Valley Forest
 
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.
 
Trail maps
View a trail map of the Walker Valley ORV Area. 
 
Directions: Start at Interstate 5 exit 227. Go east on state Route 538 for 4 miles. Turn south on state Route 9. Go 3 miles (milepost 42). Turn left on Walker Valley Road. Go 2 miles. Turn right on to Peter Burns Road. Go 1 mile, then to Walker Valley trailhead on the right, just past the bridge. Get directions.
 
For other recreation opportunities in DNR's Northwest Region, please go to our Blanchard, Whatcom County, and Minor Islands webpage.