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| Home > Washington > Ahtanum |
Ahtanum State Forest
Saturday, December 23, 2023
| Other Names | Ahtanum Sate Forest, Ahtanum Meadows, Red Saddle, Middle Fork Ahtanum Creek, Tree Phones, Clover Flats, Eagle Nest Vista, Grey Rock Trail, Cougar Flats, Mcclaine Canyon, Dead Horse Flats, Death Hole, Foundation Ridge, Ewe Neck |
| Last Known Status | Open |
Ahtanum State Forest offers over 70+ miles of old logging roads to explore. Most of the trails are geared toward four wheelers and jeeps but there is some single track that begins near the Tree Phones Campground that heads north. The terrain mainly consists of hard packed dirt roads covered with loose chunk rock, steep climbs and descents plus some off camber turns.
The forest features several campgrounds that provide direct trail access. Tree Phones Campground offers access to the center part of the trail system while Ahtanum Meadows is located at the east end and Clover Flats the west end. Each campground offers graveled sites that come with a picnic table and fire ring, and most are surrounded by mature pine, fir and spruce trees. There is no drinking water but there is a hand pump water spigot at Tree Phones Campground.
A Discover Pass is required to camp and ride which must be obtained prior to entry. The campgrounds are seasonal and close during the winter months and reopen around April. Exact dates vary so check with the ranger station before heading out.
REGULATIONS
| Permit Required | Yes | WA ORV Tab and Washington Discover Pass** |
| Dates Open | Open daily except during spring thaw. | |
| Other ATV Stickers Accepted | Unknown | |
| Spark Arrestor | Yes | A spark arresting exhaust silencer or end cap is required for all vehicles. |
| Noise Limit | ||
| Whip Flags | Not Required | |
| Maximum Vehicle Width | No Restriction | |
 Motorcycles & Dirt Bikes | Permitted | |
 ATVs | Permitted | |
 UTV & SXS | Permitted | |
 4x4 & Jeeps (registered) | Permitted | |
| Dune Buggy & Sand Rail 4x4 (unregistered) | Permitted | |
| 2 Stroke Engines | No Restriction | |
 Camping | Some Areas | (camp in developed sites only) |
 Campfires | Prohibited | gas stoves permitted |
| Night Riding | Unknown | |
| Trail Blazing | Prohibited | stay on designated trails |
| Rule Enforcement | ||
| Comment | **A Discover Pass is not required on any vehicle with a current ORV permit/tab but is required for the street-legal vehicle that is used to transport the ORV. If using a trailer an additional pass is not required. | |
TYPE OF AREA
| Area | Motorized Trails |
| Land | State Forest |
FEES & PASSES
| Parking | (None) |
| Entry | (None) |
| Riding | (None) |
| Camping | (None) |
RATINGS
| Our Rating |  Good |
| Recommended Stay | Full Day |
| Comments | (Scroll Down For Rider Reviews & Comments) |
DRIVING DIRECTIONS
| Nearest City | Yakima, WA | ||
| Address | Ahtanum Road North Fork, Yakima, WA 98903 | ||
| From: Yakima, WA
1) Take Ahtanum Road west about 17 miles 2) Ahtanum Meadows Campground is on the left (south). For Tree Phones Campground: 3) Continue west past Ahtanum Meadows Campground another 7 miles 4) Campground entrance is on the left (south). For Clover Flats Campground: 5) Continue west past Tree Phones Campground 3.5 miles 6) Campground entrance is on the left (east). |
OFFICIAL CONTACTS
| Contact Info | Washington DNR - Southeast Region Office 713 Bowers Road Ellensburg, WA 98926-9301 (509) 925-8510 ahtanumstateforest@dnr.wa.gov www.dnr.wa.gov |
| Contact Info | Washington State Department of Licensing (360) 902-3770 titles@dol.wa.gov www.dol.wa.gov |
| Comment | Washington ORV Tab Info |
| Contact Info | Washington Discover Pass (866) 320-9933 licensing@dfw.wa.gov www.discoverpass.wa.gov |
Ahtanum Trail Photo
Photo Submitted 10/7/2016 (Thanks!)
Ahtanum Trail Photo
Photo Submitted 2/4/2023 (Thanks!)
Ahtanum Trail Photo
Photo Submitted 10/7/2016 (Thanks!)
ADD PHOTOS
TERRAIN
| Approx Size | 75,000 acres (117 sq mi) | |
| Miles Of Trail | 70 | |
| Climate Type | Forest | |
| Elevation | 4500 to 5500 ft. | |
| Trail Maintenance | Marked, Not Rated, Lightly Maintained | |
| Loose Dirt |  Little | |
| Hard Pack |  Mostly | |
| Sand | Little | |
| Mud | Little | |
| Dust | Little | |
| Rocks |  Some | |
| Trees |  All | |
| Steep Hills | Some | |
| Water Crossings |  Few | |
| Small Jumps |  None | |
| Large Jumps | None | |
| Berms | Few | |
| Sand/Gravel Pits | None | |
| Single Track | None | |
| Roads | Some | |
| Shade |  Many | |
| Hazards | Few | (hazards assumed marked but use caution) |
 Novice | Little | |
 Amateur | Mostly | |
 Expert | Some |
GPS POINTS
KEY SERVICES
 Gasoline | 5-20 Miles (SE) | Texaco White Swan (509) 874-2303 |
| Diesel | 5-20 Miles (SE) | Texaco White Swan (509) 874-2303 |
 Water | On Site | Tree Phones Campground (509) 925-8510 |
 RV Hookup | 20-30 Miles (E) | Yakima Sportsman State Park (509) 575-2774 |
 RV Disposal | 20-30 Miles (E) | Yakima Sportsman State Park (509) 575-2774 |
| Campground | On Site | Ahtanum Campground can accommodate trailers up to 32 feet, Tree Phones up to 35 feet and Clover Flats up to 28 feet. |
 Conv Store | 5-20 Miles (SE) | Texaco White Swan (509) 874-2303 |
RIDER COMMENTS & REVIEWS