Colville National Forest
Rate this placeNearby: Kaniksu National Forest Chewelah Park
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
Colville National Forest is located in northeastern Washington.
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Summary
The forest offers visitors an array of activities, including hiking, camping, fishing, hunting, and wildlife viewing. Some specific points of interest within the forest include the Kettle Crest Trail, Sherman Pass Scenic Byway, and the Sullivan Lake Trail. The forest is also known for its abundant wildlife, including black bear, mountain lions, and elk.
Interesting facts about the area include that Colville National Forest encompasses over 1.1 million acres and is home to the largest population of white-tailed deer in the state of Washington. In addition, the forest includes the Salmo-Priest Wilderness, which is one of the largest wilderness areas in the state.
The best time of year to visit Colville National Forest depends on the activities you are interested in. Summer is a popular time for hiking and camping, while fall offers excellent hunting opportunities. Winter offers snowshoeing and cross-country skiing, and spring is a great time for wildlife viewing. It is important to note that weather conditions can vary greatly in the forest, so visitors should be prepared for changing conditions.
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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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