Located in the northeast corner of Olympic National Forest, just to the north of The Brothers Wilderness, Buckhorn Wilderness stands divided into northern and southern portions by the Dungeness River and a parallel road. The smaller northern portion, drained by the Gray Wolf River and its tributaries, descends from higher mountainous terrain to lowlands heavily forested in fir, hemlock, and cedar with an understory of moss, ferns, and berry bushes. South of the river and south of the trails, the terrain soars skyward to a ragged ridge with difficult access and few human visitors. Drained by the Dungeness and Quilcene Rivers down glacier-carved valleys and fed by deep canyon tributaries, the larger southern portion is even more rugged than the northern. A dense and stately forest covers the lower elevations, while the higher country often opens into large alpine meadows rich with summer grasses and bright wildflowers. Access is provided by 60 miles of trails.

Leave No Trace

How to follow the seven standard Leave No Trace principles differs in different parts of the country (desert vs. Rocky Mountains). Click on any of the principles listed below to learn more about how they apply in the Buckhorn Wilderness.

1. Plan Ahead and Prepare
2. Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
3. Dispose of Waste Properly
4. Leave What You Find
5. Minimize Campfire Impacts
6. Respect Wildlife
7. Be Considerate of Other Visitors

For more information on Leave No Trace, Visit the Leave No Trace, Inc. website.

Management & Regulations

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Learn more about why regulations may be necessary in wilderness.