Recreation
Attention: Recreation Alerts and Closures
Alert: Check each region page for the most updated closures and alerts.
Alert: DNR's Recreation Program is drafting its first statewide Outdoor Access and Responsible Recreation Strategic Plan to develop a shared vision and strategy for recreation and outdoor access on DNR-managed lands. Sign up for more updates and to learn when the Plan opens for public comment at this link.
Discover some of the most beautiful recreation destinations in the state. Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz leads DNR in managing diverse recreation across 3.3 million acres of state trust lands – that includes everything from hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding to paragliding, rock climbing, and off-road vehicle riding.
Our recreation opportunities take place in healthy forest ecosystems that we also manage for timber production. The funds we earn from our sustainable working forests generate revenue for local county services, public school construction, and universities. So, our state trust lands do more than host our adventures, they also support the people of Washington.
Discover your next adventure
Visit our Where to go, what to do web page to learn more about recreation opportunities on DNR-managed land. Your new favorite spots for all of your favorite outdoor activities are waiting.
Check out our Interactive Recreation Map to explore DNR recreation sites across the state. The map highlights all of DNR’s trailheads, campgrounds, day-use areas, and more.
Know Before You Go
Before you head out on your next adventure, make sure you have your Discover Pass. Discover Passes are required to access recreation sites on DNR-managed land with your vehicle. The annual Discover Pass is transferable between two vehicles and must be displayed in your front windshield while parked at DNR sites. Learn more at discoverpass.wa.gov and find a Discover Pass vendor near you.
Don’t forget to check for recreation alerts in the area you’re interested in visiting. We work hard to keep you in the know about trail closures, restrictions, repairs, and activity around our sites. Recreation sites are updated daily as alerts occur.
Stay informed and stay safe while you’re out recreating. Review and download our Guide to Safe and Sustainable Recreation.
Our Working Forests
Want to take a closer look at the opportunities available on our 3.3 million acres of state trust lands? Click through our working forests to learn more about their recreation sites, tips for your trip, and everything you need to know before you head out.
- Ahtanum
- Blanchard and Nearby Islands
- Capitol
- Elbe Hills and Tahoma
- Green Mountain and Tahuya
- Little Pend Oreille
- Loomis and Loup Loup
- Naneum Ridge
- North Mountain
- Olympic Peninsula
- Reiter Foothills
- Teanaway
- Tiger Mountain and Raging River
- Walker Valley
- Yacolt Burn
Our Natural Areas
DNR manages two kinds of natural areas: Natural Area Preserves and Natural Resource Conservation Areas (NRCA). These areas protect the state’s natural ecosystems, habitat, and native plant and animal species. The Natural Area Preserve system presently includes more than 40,816 acres in 57 sites. Our NRCAs conserve more than 125,577 acres in 39 sites. Many of these areas have trails and day-use areas for visitors to explore. Learn more about these sites on our Natural Areas page.
Get involved
Give back to the DNR recreation areas you visit most by attending a work party, serving as a camp host, or protecting our state lands as a Forest Watch volunteer. Head to our volunteer page for more information. Or, look into being part of the Puget Sound Conservation Corps, a subset of the Washington Conservation Corps.
Volunteers also have the opportunity to earn a complimentary Discover Pass if they volunteer 24 hours or more on certain projects.
Want to know more about how we plan for diverse recreation opportunities on DNR-managed lands? Visit our Recreation Planning page and take a look at our adopted plans and policies and current planning projects.
Current E-Bike Regulations
Get the latest information relating to e-bikes from our e-bikes planning page.
Leave It How You Found It
We want people to continue to enjoy our state trust lands and natural areas for generations to come and that means doing our part now to preserve these beautiful landscapes. For your safety and the safety of our plants and wildlife, please follow these guidelines while you're recreating:
Be prepared. Familiarize yourself with the regulations and special considerations of the area you plan to visit. Make sure you’re prepared for weather, hazards, and emergencies.
Don't leave the trail. DNR manages 1,200 miles of trail – and growing. To avoid soil erosion and trampling fragile vegetation, please stay on our established trails and only use established campsites. In areas that allow dispersed backcountry camping, choose a site away from water and trails with minimal impact on vegetation.
Pack it in, pack it out. If you bring it into the forest, be sure you’re bringing it out too. Food and garbage that is left behind or improperly disposed of can attract wildlife and create potentially dangerous situations for visitors. Please pack out all food items and garbage. NEVER feed wildlife.
Don't take things from the forest. DNR allows harvesting at some of its sites. You can brush up on the rules for those activities here. Outside of those activities, help us preserve the land. Don’t build structures or disturb the flora and fauna. Avoid introducing or transporting invasive species.
Be careful with campfires. Make sure you check fire restrictions in the area before you head out. Campfires are permitted on DNR-managed lands only in approved fire pits and are only allowed only when a campfire burn restriction is not in place. Keep a shovel and buckets of water close by and never walk away from a smoldering campfire. Put the fire out cold before leaving - if it's too hot to touch, it's too hot to leave.
Be safe around wildlife. Observe our wildlife from a distance and never try to touch or feed them. Secure food items and trash. Habituating wildlife to human food and garbage alters their natural behaviors and creates unsafe situations for the animals and our visitors.
Be respectful of others on the trail. Make sure everyone has an opportunity to enjoy nature. Keep your dogs on a leash or under strict voice command if you're mountain biking or horseback riding. You can also learn about when and how to yield to other users on the trail here.