Clearwater Wilderness, Protected wilderness area in Pierce County, Washington, US.

Clearwater Wilderness is a protected forest area in the North Cascades with dense trees, eight small lakes, and numerous streams. The terrain consists mainly of old-growth forest that has existed without human development for many decades.

Congress created the Clearwater Wilderness in 1984 under the 1964 Wilderness Act, which had established the National Wilderness Preservation System. The new designation placed these 14,647 acres inside Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, in northeastern Pierce County. Its southern boundary touches Mount Rainier National Park.

The name comes from the clear water flowing through streams and lakes that define the landscape. Visitors experience the unmodified terrain and understand why this place matters to those seeking solitude and distance from developed areas.

The region is especially wet and snowy from fall through spring, so visitors should plan for damp conditions and thick snow cover at higher elevations. Good footwear and proper clothing are needed to move safely along the many trails.

The area receives heavy rainfall from October through May, with very thick snow accumulation building up at higher elevations. These extreme winter conditions shape the forest ecosystem and make the trails particularly demanding during these months.