May DNR Recreation Updates
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BBQ Flats: Celebrating enduring volunteer effort



Last weekend, DNR celebrated the valuable efforts of Back Country Horsemen of Washington volunteers. With their help, DNR is providing public access to BBQ Flats, a 640-acre recreation area popular for horseback riding near Ellensburg. To see what staff and volunteers had to say about the treasured site, watch our video.

More time to enjoy Reiter Foothills Forest

Starting Sunday, May 28, all who enjoy DNR's Reiter Foothills Forest near Gold Bar won't have to save the fun for just the weekend. The forest, previously closed weekdays, will be open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. 

This increase in hours mirrors the expanse in mileage, with four new Reiter Foothills Forest trails built last summer. To learn more about recreation in Reiter Foothills Forest, visit our website. Click here for a ATV and single track trail map and here for a 4x4 trail map. 

Thanks to Pick up the Burn volunteers

Thank you to the volunteers that came together for the 14th annual Pick up the Burn last week in Yacolt Burn State Forest, near Vancouver. Community members from a variety of recreation interests worked together to make sure the trails are clean and safe for the future.

Click the image below to see what some of our volunteers said about this inspiring forest and the work being done.

To learn more about supporting recreation opportunities on DNR-managed lands, visit our volunteer web page.

Reel in your next prize at a DNR-managed lake

With temperatures warming up, take a trip to one of DNR's most treasured water access sites. From catch-and-release fly-fishing at Merrill Lake, located near Battle Ground in the Merrill Lake Natural Resources Conservation Area, to fishing for rainbow trout at Leader Lake, near Okanogan, DNR-managed lands have something for everyone. 

Use our statewide interactive recreation map to start planning your next fishing trip. For those just getting their feet wet, visit Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife's website for fishing 101 tips, lake databases, and how-to videos

Share your experiences with target shooting in popular state forests

Thanks to all who could come out to share their input about target shooting in Tahuya State Forest. The meeting was the first in a series of public meetings to gather input on how to best manage target shooting in some of Washington's most popular state forests.

Join us 6:30 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, May 31 for Yacolt Burn State Forest, Wednesday, June 1 for Harry Osborne State Forest, and Thursday, June 2 for Capitol State Forest

Partners are our key to success: Thanks Eastern Washington Adventures

Eastern Washington Adventures, founded in 2004, helps DNR care for recreation opportunities in Ahtanum State Forest, near Yakima, and Beverly Dunes, near Mattawa. Prior to DNR's inception of our Forest Watch volunteer program, Eastern Washington Adventures volunteered to patrol for safety in Ahtanum State Forest, where they continue to give back. Volunteers also repair signage along green dot roads in Ahtanum State Forest and organize work parties to pick up litter along the road system, popular for off-road-vehicle riding, hunting, picnicking and dispersed recreation activities, such as wildlife viewing. 

Visit our calendar to for upcoming event details. To learn more about volunteering on DNR-managed lands, visit our website
Have fun and get involved!









CANCELED: Reiter Foothills Forest Work Party, near Gold Bar
8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. 
Saturday, May 28

Yacolt Burn State Forest Recreational Target Shooting Meeting, near Vancouver 
6:30 to 9 p.m. 
Tuesday, May 31

Harry Osborne State Forest Recreational Target Shooting Meeting, near Sedro Woolley
6:30 to 9 p.m. 
Wednesday, June 1 

Tarbell Trail Work Party, near Battle Ground
8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. 
Thursday, June 2

Capitol State Forest Recreational Target Shooting Meeting, near Olympia 
6:30 to 9 p.m. 
Thursday, June 2

Darrington Equestrian Community Meeting, near Darrington 
7 p.m. 
Thursday, June 2

Capitol State Forest Monthly Work Party, near Olympia
9 a.m. to 2 p.m. 
Saturday, June 4 

National Trails Day at Blanchard, near Bow
9 a.m. to 3 p.m. 
Saturday, June 4 

Sahara Creek Work Party, near Yelm
8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. 
Saturday, June 4

Rattlesnake and Bethel Ridge Clean-up, near Yakima 
7 a.m. to 2 p.m. 
Wednesday, June 8 

Jones Creek ORV Area Work Party, near Vancouver
8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. 
Friday, June 10 

Harry Osborne Forest Work Party, near Sedro Woolley
9 a.m. to 3 p.m. 
Saturday, June 11 

Walker Valley Monthly Work Party, near Mount Vernon
9 a.m. to 3 p.m. 
Saturday, June 11

Grey Rock Trail Work Party, near Yakima
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 
Saturday, June 11

Hagen Creek ORV Area Work Party, near Vancouver 
8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 
Sunday, June 12

613 Trail Work Party, near Yakima
9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. 
Saturday, June 25

Ahtanum Clean-up, near Yakima
9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. 
Saturday, June 25 

Jones Creek ORV Area Work Party, near Vancouver
8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. 
Saturday, June 25

Buck Creek Work Party, near White Salmon
8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. 
Saturday, June 25 

Buck Creek Work Party, near White Salmon
8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. 
Sunday, June 26

Reiter Foothills Forest Work Party, near Gold Bar
8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. 
Sunday, June 26

Ahtanum Clean-up, near Yakima
9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. 
Sunday, June 26

Visit DNR's calendar and volunteer page for more information. Remember, your efforts can also earn you a Discover Pass.

Maps of the month: Elbe Hills State Forest

Located near Mount Rainier, Elbe Hills State Forest offers extensive opportunities for horseback riding and off-road-vehicle riding. Use our mobile map to explore the forest's trails, picnic areas, and campgrounds. A printed version is also available for purchase

To see other maps of DNR-managed recreation sites, visit our website.

In the news...

DNR's Ear to the Ground blog
Make a difference and become a campground host

Improvements liftoff thanks to paragliding, hang gliding volunteers 

The Everett Herald 
Bouldering buffs spruce up coveted Gold Bar climbing terrain

The Olympian
DNR sets public meetings on target shooting in state forests

DNR recreation news is for you


DNR's Recreation News e-newsletter helps you explore where to go, what to do, and what to look forward to on DNR-managed lands. Contact Eryn 
Akers at eryn.akers@dnr.wa.gov 
or 360-902-1066 with story ideas or comments.
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