Wenatchee National Forest

Wenatchee National Forest encompasses a total area of about 1.7 million acres of land that is located in Central Washington. This national forest was established on July 1, 1908, and is managed by the U.S. Forest Service. Access to the forest is relatively simple if you use the I-90, US 2 or US 97. Some of the civic and metropolis areas close to the forest include Wenatchee, Entiat, Tonasket, Naches, Leavenworth, Chelan, and Ellensburg.

There are several features within the forest land that make Wenatchee National Forest a unique place to visit. First, the forest has some of the best rock-climbing sites in the Northwest including places like Icicle Canyon, Liberty Bell Mountain, and Tumwater Canyon. Additionally, you can also experience the unique Boulder Cave which is not only an attractive geological feature formed through the erosion and weathering of natural stone to form a tunnel, but more importantly because it is easily accessible by trail using a wheelchair.

Besides these natural features, the forest is also a great place to experience a wide variety of activities including canoeing, camping, fishing, boating, rafting, hiking, berry picking, horseback riding, mushroom gathering, mountain biking, snowmobiling, rock hounding, skiing, rock climbing, and mountain climbing. The forest’s amenities that allow visitors to enjoy these activities include dispersed camping, group camps, over 100 campgrounds, cabins, boat ramps, picnic areas, scenic drives, trails (2500 miles), scenic overlooks, and seven wilderness areas.

Like other areas managed by the U.S. Forest Service, you can bring your dog to the forest, but you have to maintain immediate control of your pooch at all times and ensure that you keep your dog well-behaved. More specifically, you should keep your dog on a leash at all times and ensure that you always clean up after your dog. It is also essential to stay away from areas of the forest that are out-of-bounds to dogs.