Gifford Pinchot National Forest

The Wilderness Act of 1964 directs that many tracts of land remain in their natural condition for use and enjoyment now and in the future. A key section of the Act provides guidance for Forest Service management.

"A wilderness, in contrast with those areas where man and his works dominate the landscape, is hereby recognized as an area where the earth and its community of life are untrammeled by man, where man himself is a visitor who does not remain. An area of wilderness is further defined to mean in this Act an area of undeveloped Federal land retaining its primeval character and influence, without permanent improvements or human habitation, which is protected and managed so as to preserve its natural conditions..."

Wilderness provides more than an opportunity to find solitude and natural beauty. The wilderness environment is an important habitat for many species of animal and plant life. Its forests act as a watershed storing rain and snow for gradual release to streams and rivers. Wilderness provides the environment for scientists to study the dynamics of natural ecological relationships. Wilderness management must recognize and protect these many benefits.

Wilderness Visitor Information

The Forest Service gathers information from Wilderness visitiors to monitor Wilderness use, set trail maintenance priorities, and plan work for Wilderness rangers. Much of this information comes from Wilderness permits, which are now required for entry in the Goat Rocks Wilderness. Permits are self-issued and are available at all Wilderness Trailheads.

Finding A Place To Visit

Each year, more and more people visit the Wilderness for a unique experience. Many, however, end up at the same popular places. See if you can find other places in the Wilderness to visit. You may find it even more enjoyable because you'll have greater solitude. You'll also encounter fewer people if you visit the Wilderness during midweek and in the early and late seasons. For assistance in finding alternatives to the most heavily used areas, check with Forest Service offices listed in this map.

Using Wilderness

Wilderness is the America that was -- wild land beyond the frontier that richly affected the nations's history and the character of its people. The Wilderness Act established an enduring resource of wilderness -- lands that are affected primarily by the forces of nature, where man is a visitor who does not remain.

However, Congress allowed certain uses to continue within individual wildernesses, under special conditions. Some of these uses are found in the 180,600 acres of wilderness on this Forest. Along with horseback riding, hiking. or climbing, people may hunt, fish, or trap. A small number of outfitting and guiding services operate under special use permits.

The 105,600-acre Goat Rocks Wilderness is located on the northern portion of the Forest. It is a rugged beautiful land of flinty pinnacles, icy snowfields and glaciers, surrounded by flower-carpeted meadows. Elevations range from 3,000 to 8,200 feet. The Wilderness derives its name from the mountain goats that inhabit its peaks.

Along the west slope of Mt. Adams lies the 47,270-acre Mt. Adams Wilderness. The 12,276-foot high Mt. Adams is the second highest peak in the Northwest after Mt. Rainier. Mt. Adams Wilderness is bounded on the east by the Yakima Indian Reservation. Wilderness trails offer the traveler spectacular views of Mt. Adams and its glaciers, tumbling streams, open alpine forests, and wildflowers scattered among lava flows and rimrocks.

The 3,000-acre Glacier View Wilderness is located on the west boundary of Mt. Rainier National Park. The topography allows a high degree of isolation, and the scenic views are outstanding.

Indian Heaven Wilderness, 20,400 acres of broad, rolling country, straddles the crest of the Cascade Range with subalpine meadows and 175 small lakes. Originally known to be the Indians as "Sahalee Tyee," the area has been (and is) culturally important to Native Americans. "Indian Heaven" offers visitors wildlife and panoramic views, as well as seasonal wildflowers and huckleberries.

The 15,800-acre Tatoosh Wilderness is bounded on the north by Mt. Rainier National Park. The area also contains 550 acres of the Butter Creek Natural Area. Tatoosh Wilderness includes a variety of physical features, from river bottoms to subalpine ridgetops.

The 6,000-acre Trapper Creek Wilderness includes a number of geological and ecological types including old-growth Douglas-fir at lower elevations, as well as open, rocky peaks, huckleberry fields, and high meadows.

The William O. Douglas Wilderness is 166,600 acres shared by the Gifford Pinchot and Wenatchee National Forests. It contains scattered peaks, sharp ridges, steep slopes, and hundreds of small lakes and potholes. Fish and wildlife are abundant here, and many minerals are found.

You must obtain a Wilderness permit at trailheads or Ranger District offices before you enter a Wilderness.

Wilderness Regulations

Nation-wide:

• Possessing or using a motor vehicle, motorboat, or motorized equipment is prohibited.  This includes snowmobiles.
• Possessing or using a hang glider or bicycle is prohibited.
• Landing of aircraft, or dropping or picking up of any material, supplies, or person by means of aircraft, including a helicopter is prohibited.

Gifford Pinchot Wildernesses:

• Permits are required to enter any Wilderness on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest.  These permits are free, and may be self-issued at trailheads.
• The group size limit is 12, comprised of any combination of people and pack or saddle stock.
• Possessing or using a wagon, cart, or other vehicle is prohibited.
• Shortcutting trail switchbacks is prohibited.
• Camping within 100 feet of lakes or the Pacific Crest Trail is prohibited.
• Grazing, hitching, or tethering of stock within 200 feet of lakes is prohibited.
• Livestock feed must be weed-free certified hay or processed feed.  Help keep weeds out of Wilderness.
• You may cache or store equipment, personal property or supplies for 48 hours or less.
• You may not be in an area posted as being closed for restoration, wilderness restoration, or rehabilitation.

Wilderness Specific:

Mt. Adams Wilderness

• Campfires are prohibited above the area bounded by the Round-the-Mountain Trail #9, Pacific Crest Trail #2000, and the Highline Trail #114 (roughly 6,000 feet elevation on Mt. Adams).

Goat Rocks Wilderness

• Campfires are prohibited within 1/4 mile from the shoreline of Goat Lake.
• Campfires are prohibited within Dan Yelverton Shelter.
• Camping and stock grazing are prohibited within Snowgrass Flat.
• Camping and campfires are prohibited within Shoe Lake basin.

Tatoosh Wilderness

• Camping, campfires, and pack and saddle stock use are prohibited within Tatoosh Lakes basin.