Cold Creek Natural Area
Rate this placeNearby: Bassett Pond Park Cottage Lake Park
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
Cold Creek Natural Area is a scenic and expansive nature preserve located in the state of Washington.
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Summary
The area is known for its pristine environment, diverse wildlife, and numerous hiking trails. There are many good reasons to visit Cold Creek Natural Area, including its tranquil atmosphere and stunning natural beauty.
Some specific points of interest to see at Cold Creek Natural Area include the Cold Creek Trail, which winds through the forest and along a stream, and the viewpoint overlooking the Columbia River Gorge. Visitors can also explore the diverse flora and fauna of the area, including the rare and endangered white-tailed deer and the northern spotted owl.
Interesting facts about Cold Creek Natural Area include its designation as a protected wilderness area, which ensures that it will remain a pristine natural environment for generations to come. The area is also home to a variety of unique geological formations, including basalt cliffs, lava tubes, and waterfalls.
The best time of year to visit Cold Creek Natural Area is during the spring and summer months, when the weather is mild and the trails are open and accessible. However, visitors should be prepared for wet and rainy conditions during the fall and winter months, as the area receives a significant amount of precipitation. Overall, Cold Creek Natural Area is a must-see destination for anyone who loves nature, hiking, and exploring the great outdoors.
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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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