Okanogan National Forest
Encyclopedia
The Okanogan National Forest is a U.S. National Forest located in northern and western Okanogan County in north-central Washington State, United States
. The 1,499,013-acre
(2,342.2 sq mi, or 6066.3 km²) forest is bordered on the north by Canada
, on the east by Colville National Forest
, on the south by the divide between the Methow
and the Stehekin
-Lake Chelan
valleys, and on the west by North Cascades National Park
. Pasayten Wilderness
and the northeast portion of Lake-Chelan-Sawtooth Wilderness are part of the forest. The western part of the forest is wetter than the dry and less temperate east. The vegetation varies similarly, from the western boreal forest, to the eastern high-elevation steppe
. A 1993 United States Forest Service
study estimated that the extent of old growth in the Forest was 316000 acres (127,880.8 ha), a majority of which was Lodgepole Pine
forests. The closest significant communities are Omak
and Okanogan
. Managed by the Forest Service together with Wenatchee National Forest
, its headquarters is in Wenatchee
. There are local ranger
district offices located in Tonasket
and Winthrop
. It is the second-largest National Forest (after the Nez Perce National Forest
in Idaho
) that is contained entirely within one county.
Okanogan National Forest was established on July 1, 1911 from a portion of Chelan National Forest
. On July 1, 1921 the entire forest was transferred back to Chelan, but on March 23, 1955 Chelan became Okanogan.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The 1,499,013-acre
Acre
The acre is a unit of area in a number of different systems, including the imperial and U.S. customary systems. The most commonly used acres today are the international acre and, in the United States, the survey acre. The most common use of the acre is to measure tracts of land.The acre is related...
(2,342.2 sq mi, or 6066.3 km²) forest is bordered on the north by Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, on the east by Colville National Forest
Colville National Forest
The Colville National Forest is a U.S. National Forest located in northeastern Washington state. It is bordered on the west by the Okanogan National Forest and the Kaniksu National Forest to the east...
, on the south by the divide between the Methow
Methow River
The Methow River is a tributary of the Columbia River in northern Washington in the United States. The river's watershed is , with a population of about 5,000 people. The Methow's watershed is characterized by relatively pristine habitats, with much of the river basin is located in national forests...
and the Stehekin
Stehekin River
The Stehekin River is a river located in Washington state in the Pacific Northwest of the United States. It is the main river flowing into Lake Chelan. Miners arrived in Stehekin River Valley in the late 19th century. They were followed by homesteaders in the early 20th century...
-Lake Chelan
Lake Chelan
Lake Chelan is a narrow, 55-mile-long lake in Chelan County, northern Washington state, U.S. It is the largest natural lake in Washington state...
valleys, and on the west by North Cascades National Park
North Cascades National Park
North Cascades National Park is a U.S. National Park located in the state of Washington. The park is the largest of the three National Park Service units that comprise the North Cascades National Park Service Complex. Several national wilderness areas and British Columbia parkland adjoin the...
. Pasayten Wilderness
Pasayten Wilderness
The Pasayten Wilderness is a 2145 km². protected area located within Okanogan National Forest and Mount Baker National Forest in Washington State, centered on the Three Forks of the Pasayten River, a tributary of the Similkameen River. The northern boundary of the wilderness is the Canadian...
and the northeast portion of Lake-Chelan-Sawtooth Wilderness are part of the forest. The western part of the forest is wetter than the dry and less temperate east. The vegetation varies similarly, from the western boreal forest, to the eastern high-elevation steppe
Steppe
In physical geography, steppe is an ecoregion, in the montane grasslands and shrublands and temperate grasslands, savannas, and shrublands biomes, characterized by grassland plains without trees apart from those near rivers and lakes...
. A 1993 United States Forest Service
United States Forest Service
The United States Forest Service is an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture that administers the nation's 155 national forests and 20 national grasslands, which encompass...
study estimated that the extent of old growth in the Forest was 316000 acres (127,880.8 ha), a majority of which was Lodgepole Pine
Lodgepole Pine
Lodgepole Pine, Pinus contorta, also known as Shore Pine, is a common tree in western North America. Like all pines, it is evergreen.-Subspecies:...
forests. The closest significant communities are Omak
Omak, Washington
Omak is the largest city in Okanogan County, Washington, United States. The population was 4,721 at the 2010 census. It is just south of the Canadian border where more populated cities are located ....
and Okanogan
Okanogan, Washington
Okanogan is a town in Okanogan County, Washington, United States. The population was 2,552 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Okanogan County.It has a small commuter airfield, Okanogan Legion Airport - with one paved runway of in length....
. Managed by the Forest Service together with Wenatchee National Forest
Wenatchee National Forest
Wenatchee National Forest is a U.S. National Forest located in Washington. With an area of 1,735,394 acres , it extends about 137 miles along the eastern slopes of the Cascade Range of Washington, USA from Okanogan National Forest to Gifford Pinchot National Forest...
, its headquarters is in Wenatchee
Wenatchee, Washington
Wenatchee is located in North Central Washington and is the largest city and county seat of Chelan County, Washington, United States. The population within the city limits in 2010 was 31,925...
. There are local ranger
National Park Ranger
National Park Service Rangers are among the uniformed employees charged with protecting and preserving areas set aside in the National Park System by the United States Congress and/or the President of the United States...
district offices located in Tonasket
Tonasket, Washington
Tonasket is a city in Okanogan County, Washington, United States. The population was 994 at the 2000 census and increased 3.8% to 1,032 at the 2010 census.-History:Tonasket was officially incorporated on December 16, 1927...
and Winthrop
Winthrop, Washington
Winthrop is a town in Okanogan County, Washington, United States. It is east of Mazama and north of Twisp. The population of the Winthrop area was 1,916 at the 2000 census; however, the incorporated town had a population of 349. The 2010 census showed an increase to 394 within the town limits...
. It is the second-largest National Forest (after the Nez Perce National Forest
Nez Perce National Forest
The Nez Perce National Forest is located in Idaho County in central western Idaho in the northwestern United States. The forest is bounded on the east by the state of Montana, on the north by the Palouse region, and on the south and west by the Clearwater National Forest. It has a total area of...
in Idaho
Idaho
Idaho is a state in the Rocky Mountain area of the United States. The state's largest city and capital is Boise. Residents are called "Idahoans". Idaho was admitted to the Union on July 3, 1890, as the 43rd state....
) that is contained entirely within one county.
Okanogan National Forest was established on July 1, 1911 from a portion of Chelan National Forest
Chelan National Forest
Chelan National Forest was established in Washington by the U.S. Forest Service on July 1, 1908 with from a portion of Washington National Forest. On July 1, 1921 it absorbed the first Okanogan National Forest, but on March 23, 1955 the name was changed back to Okanogan. -External links:** Text...
. On July 1, 1921 the entire forest was transferred back to Chelan, but on March 23, 1955 Chelan became Okanogan.