Trail Overview
The twenty-five miles of Bethel Ridge Road climbs up and over Bethel Ridge from Highway 12 to State Route 410 just to the East of the William O Douglas Wilderness. This road is also part of Section Two of the Washington Backcountry Discovery Route (WABDR). In addition to accessing Bethel Ridge, it leads to numerous spurs that access hiking trails into the wilderness. The first 15 miles are maintained gravel, and the last 10 miles are paved but still tight and twisty with little room to pass oncoming traffic. During the Summer of 2021, a large wildfire burned through this area. This road can be a bit busy between the WABDR activity and the logging activity. Stay alert and be considerate of others.
Access Description
No permits or fees are required to drive Forest Road 1500. However, parking at trailheads within the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest or accessing the William O. Douglas Wilderness may require a Northwest Forest Pass. The road is typically closed by snow from late autumn through late spring. High-clearance vehicles are recommended, particularly on the unpaved sections and spur roads.