Know Before You Go

 
 

Image from Copper Glance trail head

Passes

Do you have the right pass for your visit?

Trail Closures

Land Managers sometimes close sections of trails to public access. These closures can either be for public safety, like closures due to wildfires or help agencies manage the the landscape in accordance with their mission. Seasonal wildlife closures are an example of a closure for management objectives. Respecting these closures is crucial to minimizing our impact on the landscape when recreating.

  • An up-to-date Forest Service Fire Closure map in Washington and Oregon can be found at the link above. Check it out to see if your planned trail is open! Fire closures often cover broad acreage, and can start at trail junctions. Checking closure maps before your trip can set you up for the best recreation outcome.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife also has some standing seasonal closures on portions of the Methow Wildlife areas to preserve the landscape character of high-value wildlife habitat. Wildlife and recreation can coexist, but it’s important to acknowledge that wildlife does better with a wide berth during more sensitive times, like the breading season. When posted, please respect closures that protect wildlife habitats. 

Below are some standing wildlife closures in the Methow Wildlife Area: 

  • Winter Range Closure–December 15th-March 31st, large portions of the wildlife area are closed to public access to minimize disturbances of Wasingtho’s largest herd of migratory deer.

  • A mile-long section of the Pipestone Rim trail is closed from April 1st- May 15th to protect the Golden Eagle habitat.

  • All dogs must be on leash on WDFW lands from April 1st to July 31st. This is especially important in the Methow’s Shrub Steppe habitat to protect ground-nesting birds.

  • Since 2022, there has been a nesting pair of Sand Hill Cranes at Big Valley during the early summer. A section of the trail has been closed each year to protect this threatened species.

  • WDFW News, check out the link for other news from the Deaprtment of Fish and Wildlife.

Image of the Easy Fire in the North Cascades on July 17th, 2024 from the USFS

Image of the Methow Wildlife Unit from the WDFW

Biking Washington Pass while WSDOT crews clear the road is a fun spring tradition for dedicated road bikers

Highway 20 Conditions, Washington pass

The Methow Valley experiences many extreme weather events, from wildfires in the summer to snowstorms in the winter. For those planning a trip, it’s important to check the pass conditions before you depart.