Boulder River Wilderness

Boulder River Wilderness is a large protected forest area in Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest with densely wooded slopes and high mountain ridges. The terrain varies between river valleys and steep summits, creating a rugged landscape.

The area received protected status in 1984 when Congress passed the Washington State Wilderness Act. This designation was part of a broader effort to safeguard wilderness lands across the Pacific Northwest.

The forest here contains trees that are hundreds of years old and rarely disturbed by human activity. Visitors walk through landscapes that look much as they did long before settlement began.

The area features trails through different forest types, ranging from easier paths to challenging mountain routes. Visitors should prepare for variable weather, as elevation and tree cover can bring sudden changes throughout the day.

A historic fire lookout station from 1932 sits atop Three Fingers Mountain, reached by climbing a series of steep ladders bolted into the rock. This structure offers a rare glimpse into how fire monitoring was conducted in the early days of wilderness protection.

Location: Washington

Inception: 1984

Website: https://fs.usda.gov/recarea/mbs/recarea/?recid=79417

GPS coordinates: 48.22500,-121.80800

Latest update: December 12, 2025 12:05