Davis Canyon Natural Area Preserve

Spring wildflowers on Davis Canyon's sloping hillsides.
This 333-acre preserve contains one of the best remaining examples of the antelope bitterbrush/Idaho fescue communities that once flourished in eastern Washington. Spring wildflowers on Davis Canyon's sloping hillsides include blanket-flower, desert yellow-daisy, lupines, mariposa lilies, death camas, yellow bells, shooting star, prairie-smoke and larkspur. This site was designated a National Natural Landmark by the National Park Service in 1986 in recognition of its nationwide significance to natural area protection. The Carlton Complex wildfire burned through virtually all of the preserve in 2014, removing most of the shrub cover but leaving an intact native grassland.

Features Protected: antelope bitterbrush/Idaho fescue plant community
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 Davis Canyon NAP, contact David Wilderman, natural areas ecologist, at david.wilderman@dnr.wa.gov

Examples of research and monitoring projects

Environmental Education and Public Access

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