Beginner Off-Road Trails Near Chelan, Washington

NF 8410 is also the northern half of section 4 of the Washington Backcountry Discovery Route (WABDR). The road winds through mountains and ridgelines in typical eastern Washington forests and meadows. This road has sections…
Learn more about NF 8410 (WABDR Section 4)

The Hungry Mountain Trail begins 1 mile west of the Methow River, where Gold Creek Road meets Forest Service Road 4330/South Fork Gold Creek. The easy-going route is made up of gravel, crushed granite, and…
Learn more about Hungry Mountain

The Washington Backcountry Discovery Route (WABDR) is a trail that runs from Canada to Oregon, initially designed for adventure, dual-sport motorcycles, and 4X4 vehicles. This trail covers most of section 4. Unfortunately, the tail end…
Learn more about Washington Backcountry Discovery Route - Section 4

The Duffy Creek route takes you across some of the most scenic BLM land in central Washington. Most of the route overlooks the stunning Waterville Plateau. The route eventually descends into Duffy Creek; however, that…
Learn more about Duffy Creek Overlook

The North Fork Gold Creek trail begins 7.25 miles from Highway 153 at the junction with Buttermilk-Libby Road. This easy route is made up of gravel and crushed granite and travels almost entirely through the…
Learn more about North Fork Gold Creek

This trail is gorgeous and features views unique to eastern Washington. There are a few shallow water crossings and some light mud. Some of the water crossings in the area have large rocks, so take…
Learn more about Douglas Creek Creekside Campsite

This section of NF 43 leads to/from the Black Pine Lake Campground eastward and connects to other trails in the area, one of which can get you back to the main road (153). The road…
Learn more about NF 43 (Eastern) - Buttermilk Libby

NF 700 is one continual and gradual climb up to the Libby Lake Hiking Trailhead. It is easy enough for 2WD, as noted by the vehicles parked at the trailhead. The trail itself is fairly…
Learn more about NF 700 - Libby Lake Trailhead

Big Hill is one of the best campsites in Washington. 360-degree views cover both the Chelan Mountains and Lake Chelan with some of the most incredible sunrises and sunsets you'll ever experience. The cabin at…
Learn more about West Shady Pass to Big Hill

This 8.7-mile point-to-point trail takes you from Peshastin up into the Entiat Mountains and connects to the Washington Backcountry Discovery Route. This trail is a maintained Forest Service road and easily passable up to Eagle…
Learn more about Derby Canyon Road

This is a short connector road between Eagle Creek Road and East Van Creek Road. This road is less well-traveled than either of the roads it connects to, and thus has a lot more overgrowth.…
Learn more about NF 7502

This road begins as a well-maintained 1.5-lane gravel road in a coniferous forest. After the junction with 7502, the road narrows a bit and begins to climb. The trees thin out, and the views open…
Learn more about East Van Creek Road

This 5.1-mile point-to-point trail begins at the end of the pavement on Eagle Creek Road and connects to Derby Canyon Road. This is a fun trail to drive with all the switchbacks as you climb…
Learn more about Eagle Creek Road

This is a very well-maintained, two-lane forest service road, particularly the first 4 miles or so. The road remains pretty flat with a gradual climb until about the last mile, where it starts to climb…
Learn more about Van Creek Road

This 15-mile point-to-point trail takes you up into the Entiat Mountains. This single-vehicle-width trail gives you great views of Lake Wenatchee and the Wenatchee River Valley. You can stop at the old Sugarloaf Peak Lookout…
Learn more about Entiat Ridge Trail

This is a spur trail of the WABDR that's well worth the stop. You can drive up most of the way to the lookout tower and park. You will need to walk the rest of…
Learn more about Sugarloaf Mountain Lookout Tower

This 8.2-mile point-to-point trail takes you from the Chumstick Highway up into the Entiat Mountain range. This trail is easy with only mud holes and ruts less than 12" in depth. There is a section…
Learn more about Second Creek Road

Starting from the top of this road, it departs Van Creek Road in dense conifer forest and descends a 1.5 lane dirt road with deep rutting, "whoops", and a few small rock obstacles under 12".…
Learn more about Merry Canyon Road

NF 400 begins as a nice, wide two-track but gradually becomes more and more narrow with vegetation overgrowth. There are sections where pin-striping for wider vehicles would occur. Erosion damage exists in a few places;…
Learn more about NF 400 - Buttermilk Butte

This section of NF 43 is where the pavement ends and the dirt road begins, leading to Black Pine Lake/Campground. There are warning signs at the bottom of the road: "Entering Burned Area. Increased risk…
Learn more about NF 43 - Buttermilk Libby

This six-mile trail is one long continual hill climb/descent that leads up to the Black Pine Lake Campground/Lake. There are warning signs at the top: "Narrow Steep Road", and "No Trailers" due to the steep…
Learn more about Poorman Creek Road (NF 4300300)

If you're looking for an alternate road option from Highway 20 into the Okanogan National Forest, here is one. It's an easy, 2WD friendly, dirt road - complete with the typical washboards and small bumpy…
Learn more about Balky Hill Road - 1637

The Blag Mountain Trail is a gem that caters to both seasoned adventurers and novice explorers seeking a thrilling yet accessible off-roading experience. What sets this trail apart is its versatility, accommodating 2WD vehicles without…
Learn more about Blag Mountain

Deeply rutted, winding, single vehicle width with turnouts. This road winds through some beautiful eastern Washington forests, up at least 2 canyons, and then climbs along a shelf road to a ridgeline. The views are…
Learn more about West Railroad Canyon - South

This section of trail leads to the West Fork Buttermilk Trailhead (hiking). It's an easy and gradual dirt road up to the trailhead;2WD capable with nothing of difficulty to note save for a few washboarded…
Learn more about NF 500 - West Fork Buttermilk

This 1.5 - 2 lane dirt road starts off in dense forest but rapidly leaves this for old clear cuts and burn scars. The road has some shallow runoff ruts as it climbs gradually into…
Learn more about West Railroad Canyon - North

Sometimes trails lead to spectacular destinations and other times they have the promise of leading to something and end up going nowhere. Newby Creek trail is one of those routes that unfortunately doesn't lead to…
Learn more about Newby Creek (4350100)

This route is the southern exit from Deer Camp to Chumstick Highway to return to Leavenworth. This is FS 300; leaving Deer Camp, head up the hill 1.4 miles to a great overlook camp spot…
Learn more about Little Chumstick Creek Road

From Highway 20, this is the route to take to reach Buck Mountain/Fire lookout tower. The trail begins as a nice wide two-track that weaves and winds its way up through the Loup Loup National…
Learn more about Lower Buck Mountain

Moon Canyon Road takes you from the junction with the very well-maintained FS7800, through Moon Canyon, then up to and along a ridgeline with spectacular views, and access to several other roads. This road is…
Learn more about Moon Canyon Road