Buckhorn Wilderness
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Buckhorn Wilderness is a beautiful and rugged backcountry area located in the Olympic Mountains of Washington state.
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Summary
It covers over 44,000 acres and offers visitors stunning views, challenging hikes, and a chance to experience nature up close.
One of the best reasons to visit Buckhorn Wilderness is for the hiking opportunities. There are over 100 miles of trails, ranging from easy to difficult, that wind through the forests and mountains. Some of the most popular trails include the Upper Gray Wolf Trail, the Tubal Cain Trail, and the Royal Basin Trail. These trails offer visitors a chance to see waterfalls, alpine meadows, and old-growth forests.
Another point of interest in the area is Mount Buckhorn, which is the highest peak in the wilderness area. It offers incredible views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. The area is also home to a variety of wildlife, including black bears, mountain goats, and elk.
Interesting facts about Buckhorn Wilderness include that it is named after the Buckhorn Creek, which flows through the area. The wilderness also contains several historic mining sites, which can be explored.
The best time of year to visit Buckhorn Wilderness is during the summer months, when the trails are accessible and the weather is mild. However, visitors should be prepared for changing weather conditions, including rain and snow, as well as potential hazards such as rockslides.
Overall, Buckhorn Wilderness is a must-see destination for outdoor enthusiasts who are looking for an adventure in the natural beauty of Washington state.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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