Buckhorn Wilderness, Nature reserve in Clallam County, United States.
Buckhorn Wilderness is a federally protected nature reserve in Clallam County, Washington, forming part of the Olympic National Forest. Dense forests of western red cedar, hemlock, and Douglas fir cover the lower slopes, while the higher terrain opens into rocky ridgelines and mountain peaks.
Congress designated this land as a protected wilderness in 1984 through the Washington State Wilderness Act. Before that, the area was managed as part of Olympic National Forest without the same level of protection.
The name "Buckhorn" refers to the deer antlers that were once commonly found across these forests. Hikers walking the trails today still encounter signs of deer and elk, which remain a visible part of daily life in the wilderness.
Trails through the area range from relatively easy walks along river valleys to steeper routes that climb toward the mountain ridgelines. Higher elevations can hold snow well into summer, so checking conditions before heading out is a good idea.
The Big Quilcene River, which runs through the lower reaches of the wilderness, eventually flows into Hood Canal, a natural saltwater inlet of Puget Sound. This means the water traveling through these mountain forests reaches the sea just a short distance away, making the connection between peaks and ocean unusually close.
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