Chopaka Mountain Natural Area Preserve

subalpine forests and shrub-steppe peaks
This high-mountain preserve encompasses 2,764 acres at elevations ranging from 4,400 to 7,882 feet in the Eastern Cascades. The site protects 11 state-listed plant species, including gentians, cinquefoils, moonwort, willow, and others. Mountain goats range the rocky ridgetops on the preserve's highest peaks (Chopaka also supported the last native herd of bighorn sheep in Washington, which was hunted out in the 1920s). The preserve also includes fine examples of low-growing alpine turf communities, subalpine forests and shrub-steppe, creeks, ponds and meadows abundant with mountain wildflowers.

Features Protected: Three state-threatened plants, eight state-sensitive plants, alpine turf plant communities, subalpine forest plant communities, and a subalpine pond with associated riparian system.
Ecoregion: Okanogan (Okanogan County)

Science, Research and Monitoring

Public and private universities, other research institutions and individual researchers may contact DNR to propose a research project at the site. If you are interested in pursuing research at Chopaka Mountain NAP, contact David Wilderman, natural areas ecologist, at david.wilderman@dnr.wa.gov

Examples of research and monitoring projects
Landscape abloom with bright color.
  • Mountain big sagebrush shrub-steppe vegetation monitoring
  • Douglas, G.W. and L.C. Bliss. 1977. Alpine and high subalpine plant communities of the North Cascades Range, Washington and British Columbia. Ecological Monographs 47:113-150

Environmental Education and Public Access

Currently no formal educational programs are available at Chopaka Mountain NAP. The site is not ADA accessible and facilities are not available. For more information, contact the DNR Northeast Region natural areas manager.

A Washington State Discover Pass is required for parking at this site. This funding helps DNR manage these important natural areas across the state.