Safe & Sustainable Recreation on DNR Lands
DNR is responsible for sustainably managing more than 2.9 million acres of state trust lands and 2.6 million acres of state-owned aquatic lands. Most of these lands earn revenue for trust beneficiaries, such as K-12 public schools.
In addition, DNR-managed lands provide recreational access to the public, with 1,100 miles of trails and 143 campgrounds and trailheads. Each year, an estimated 11 million people visit DNR-managed lands.
We want you to have an enjoyable experience on state lands. We also want to make sure the state’s resources are protected and that the public can recreate safely.
One of the many tools DNR uses to ensure safe and sustainable recreation is to conduct comprehensive planning processes across many of the recreation landscapes we manage. Our most recent planning efforts have taken place in Reiter Foothills Forest, Ahtanum State Forest, and the Western Yacolt Burn Forest. In January 2011, we began a new planning effort in Green Mountain and Tahuya State Forests.
>> Learn more about recreation planning on DNR-managed lands
Safe and sustainable recreation opportunities on DNR-managed lands
Explore the following links to learn how you can recreate safely and sustainably on DNR-managed lands. Find links to resources to help make your experience more enjoyable and get connected with some of the recreation organizations in this state.
- Hiking
In Washington State, DNR may well offer more miles of hiking trails than any other state agency. Some of the state’s most popular hiking trails are on state trust lands, such as Tiger Mountain State Forest in eastern King County.
- Horseback Riding
State trust lands provide great trail rides for horses and pack stock. Many of our campgrounds have corrals.
- Mountain Biking
DNR has more than 30 designated mountain biking trails, all of which vary in skill level.
- Off-road Vehicle (ORV) Riding / Motorized Recreation
Many DNR recreation areas have trails for motorized recreation, including all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) or quads, motorbikes, four-wheel drive (4x4), and even snowmobiles in the winter months.
- Paddling
If you’ve ever paddled the shorelines of Puget Sound, chances are you’ve paddled over tidelands and shorelands that DNR manages. In addition, some popular destination islands are managed by DNR, including Cypress and Strawberry Islands.
These are examples of some of the more popular recreation activities taking place in designated recreation areas on DNR-managed land. Outside of these designated areas, DNR lands also provide dispersed recreation activities such as hunting, fishing, geocaching, paintball, non-commercial berry gathering, and more.
For more information about DNR's Recreation Program, contact Mark Mauren, 360-902-1047 or mark.mauren@dnr.wa.gov.