Wilderness
What is a Wilderness?
"A thing is right when it tends to preserve the integrity, stability, and beauty of the biotic community. It is wrong when it tends otherwise.” - Aldo Leopold
Although some people see a forest as wilderness, the definition of federal Wilderness is specific. The Wilderness Act of 1964 defines it 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.” The Act’s purpose is to preserve and protect the natural ecosystems and wild areas and provide opportunities for solitude and retrospective or primitive recreation.
Designated Wilderness at Olympic National Forest
The rugged peaks and forested terrain within these protected areas that border the Olympic National Park are popular with hikers, backpackers, and mountain climbers.
There are five Wilderness areas within the Olympic National Forest:
- Buckhorn Wilderness
- Colonel Bob Wilderness
- Mount Skokomish Wilderness
- The Brothers Wilderness
- Wonder Mountain Wilderness
A trip into a Wilderness area requires additional planning, and preparation to ensure a safe and enjoyable trip.
Regulations & Safety Considerations
Wilderness is meant to be used and enjoyed, and “primitive recreation” is even part of the definition of wilderness in the Wilderness Act.
All federal wilderness regulations, including limits on visitor use and group size as well as human waste disposal, are listed on Wilderness Connect. Please help us keep these areas wild, clean, and pristine.
The following are prohibited:
- Groups consisting of more than 12 persons and/or 8 head of livestock.
- Starting and/or maintaining open fires, such as camp, cooking and warming fires above 3,500 feet elevation.
- Gathering wood for starting and/or maintaining open fires or stoves above 3,500 feet elevation.
- Tethering of livestock to trees and/or other vegetation, except for incidental use not to exceed 30 minutes.
- Possessing and/or transporting unprocessed vegetative matter such as hay, straw, grass or grain. The use of pelletized or certified weed-free feed is required in all National Forests in the Pacific Northwest. This helps prevent the introduction and spread of invasive plants.
- Caching or leaving equipment, personal property or supplies unattended for a period in excess of 24 hours.
- Violation of these prohibitions is punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 and/or imprisonment for not more than 6 months. (Orders Number 900-017, 018 & 024, pursuant to 36 CFR, sections 261.50 (a) and (b).)
Permits & Passes
No permit is needed to visit Olympic National Forest Wilderness areas. A recreation pass is required at some trailheads. A permit may be needed if you're hiking into Wilderness in Olympic National Park.
Trip Preparation & Packing
Communication
All forest visitors are encouraged to notify family or friends of their trip itinerary including their expected return schedule.
Remember: you can't count on cell phone coverage in remote areas!
Ten Essential Items for every trip
- Navigation: maps, compass, altimeter, GPS device, personal locator beacon (PLB) or satellite messenger.
- Illumination: headlamp, or flashlight with extra batteries.
- Sun Protection: sunglasses, sun-protection clothes and sunscreen.
- First aid kit:, including foot care and insect repellant. Pack additional days’ worth of personal medications.
- Knife
- Fire: matches, lighter, tinder or stove.
- Shelter: carry at all times.
- Extra Food: carry more than you will need.
- Water: Carry plenty of water as well as a suitable water purification system. All water taken from lakes or streams should be boiled, treated with purification tablets, or filtered.
- Extra clothes: Non-cotton clothing that will wick moisture away from your skin, dress in layers to adjust to changes in temperature, pack rain gear, wear stable footwear such as hiking boots.
Pets
Pets are welcome in Olympic National Forest Wilderness as long as they are kept on a leash or under control, and quiet. Remember to properly bury pet waste or pack it out. Wilderness visitor's who plan to travel into Olympic National Park should be aware the Park does not permit pets.
Wildlife
Cougars and black bears are common on the Olympic Peninsula. Make sure to store food properly and increased awareness at all times.
Campsite Selection
Review Dispersed Camping FAQ
Hiking
When hiking on a trail, stay on the trail. When hiking off-trail, hike on firm surfaces such as rock, to avoid leaving a path that others might follow. Avoid meadows, marshes, and other fragile areas.
Leave No Trace is an outdoor land use ethic. Following Leave No Trace helps you to minimize your impacts on the outdoor environment and will help you to understand how your actions can impact the land and other visitors to the forest.
Following these 7 principles of Leave No Trace will help you have a more enjoyable trip:
1. Plan ahead and prepare
2. Travel and camp on durable surfaces
3. Dispose of waste properly
4. Leave what you find
5. Minimize campfire impacts
6. Respect wildfire
7. Be considerate of other visitors