Palmer Mountain Management Area is a great place for hiking, backpacking, dispersed camping, horseback riding, hunting, mounting biking, and fishing at tiny Washburn Lake. The autumn is especially picturesque when the many stands of aspen trees create a brilliant yellow and orange background. Visitors are sure to find a favorite spot to enjoy the quiet, scenic views of the Okanogan hillsides, aspen tree groves, grasslands, and the serene waters of Washburn Lake.
Directions: From Tonasket, Washington, travel State Highway 97 to the Loomis Oroville Highway and continue west towards Loomis. After approximately 12 miles, turn right on the Washburn Lake Road. Follow the gravel road to the parking area above Washburn Lake and to other public lands administered by BLM.
Recreation Map of Palmer Mountain and Split Rock Recreation Sites (RS) in the BLM Wenatchee Field Office area in Washington. Published by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).
Map of Conconully Off-Highway Vehilce (OHV) Trails in Tonasket Ranger District (RD) in Colville National Forest (NF) in Washington. Published by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS).
Draft of the Motor Vehicle Travel Map (MVTM) of Tonasket Ranger District in Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest (NF) in Washington. Published by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS).
Palmer Mountain and Split Rock RS
https://www.blm.gov/visit/palmer-mountain
Palmer Mountain Management Area is a great place for hiking, backpacking, dispersed camping, horseback riding, hunting, mounting biking, and fishing at tiny Washburn Lake. The autumn is especially picturesque when the many stands of aspen trees create a brilliant yellow and orange background. Visitors are sure to find a favorite spot to enjoy the quiet, scenic views of the Okanogan hillsides, aspen tree groves, grasslands, and the serene waters of Washburn Lake.
Directions: From Tonasket, Washington, travel State Highway 97 to the Loomis Oroville Highway and continue west towards Loomis. After approximately 12 miles, turn right on the Washburn Lake Road. Follow the gravel road to the parking area above Washburn Lake and to other public lands administered by BLM.
Welcome to Palmer Mountain and Split Rock Recreation Sites!
Palmer Mountain Management Area comprises more than 6,500 acres of public land and is managed by the
BLM. It is a great place for hiking, backpacking, camping, horseback riding, hunting, mounting biking, and
fishing at tiny Washburn Lake. The autumn is especially picturesque when the many stands of aspen trees
create a brilliant yellow and orange background. Visitors are sure to find a favorite spot to enjoy the quiet, scenic
views of the Okanogan hillsides, aspen tree groves, grasslands, and the serene waters of Washburn Lake.
Know before you go
Palmer Mountain is open year round, but the main access road is closed
by snow in winter. No fees. Cellular phone reception may be limited.
Three campsites with fire rings overlook the lake, but no other facilities
are present. Hookups and potable water are not available. Please note
that Split Rock has two vaulted toilets.
Please pack out all trash and leave no trace. Please dispose all pet waste in
trash receptacles.
directions
From Highway 97 at Tonasket, take the Loomis Oroville Highway west towards Loomis. Turn
right on the Washburn Lake Road after approximately 12 miles. Follow the gravel road to the
parking area above Washburn Lake and to other public lands administered by BLM.
Contact info
point of interest
915 N. Walla Walla Ave.
Wenatchee, WA 98801
509-665-2100
BLM_OR_WN_Mail@blm.gov
Palmer Mountain is alive with color during
spring and early summer when many varieties
of wildflowers bloom. At higher elevations,
wildflower season may extend into July.
Photo by Leslie Kehmeier, IMBA
