Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest

Recreational Activities

Home : Recreational Activities : Activities : Special Places : Wilderness

Wilderness Areas

Wilderness is an area where the earth and its community of life are untrammeled by man and where man himself is a visitor who does not remain.

Through Congressional legislation, 1964 Wilderness Act as well as the 1984 Washington Wilderness Act, forty two percent (42%) of this National Forest is legally designated as Wilderness.

The eight Wilderness areas that are in or partially in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie are listed below.

• Alpine Lakes
• Boulder River
• Clearwater
• Glacier Peak
• Henry M. Jackson
• Mt. Baker
• Noisy Diobsud
• Norse Peak
• Wild Sky

A wide variety of plants and animal life found in these areas have helped in the designation of these areas as Wilderness. You'll find each wilderness provides a unique solitude and primitive experience as well as scientific, educational and historical values.

2004 Marks Anniversary Year for Wilderness Acts

Wilderness Regulations

The goal of wilderness management is to manage human use and influences so as not to alter natural processes; it is not to mold nature to suit people. Visitors can help by carefully planning for their visit to the Wilderness and by following the regulations.

Wilderness Permits

No special permits are needed to enter the wilderness with the exception of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. However, you will need a Northwest Forest Pass in order to park your car at any of the trailheads leading into the wilderness.

All visitors to the Alpine Lakes Wilderness from May 15 to October 31 need a permit. Day-use visitors may obtain a free, self-issue permit at ranger stations and trailheads. A copy of the permit is carried with you and a portion is deposited in the box at the trailhead. Overnight visitors can obtain a free, self-issue permit in the same fashion as above, except for visitors who plan to go to the Enchantment Lakes in the Wenatchee National Forest.

Enchantment Permit Changes for 2009 Season [August 7, 2008]
The Wenatchee River Ranger District announced today a fee increase for overnight camping in the Enchantment area of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, beginning in 2009. The Enchantment Permit Area is comprised of five zones that encompass Snow, Colchuck, Stuart, Eightmile, and Caroline Lakes and the trails leading to them. Fees for the 2009 season will be $5 per-person, per-day. The permit season runs from June 15 to October 15. There are no changes to the self-issuing day-use permits. Read full news release »

Wilderness Management Issues

Questions and answers to current issues faced by the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest wilderness managers.

Walk lightly on the land and LEAVE NO TRACE.

• Plan ahead and prepare.
• Camp and travel on durable surfaces. Concentrate use in high-use areas. Spread use and impacts in pristine areas. Avoid places where impact is just beginning.
• Pack it in, pack it out.
• Properly dispose of what you can't pack out.
• Leave what you find.
• Minimize use and impacts of fire.
• Respect wildlife.

Take a Look at a Day in the Life of a Wilderness Ranger

Read Abby Sussman's account of a typical day for a Wilderness Ranger

USDA Forest Service - Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
Last Modified: Friday, 08 August 2008 at 19:12:32 EDT