The Dillacort Canyon Unit is located within the Klickitat River Canyon. The unit offers camping, fishing, and access to the Klickitat Trail, which which follows the west bank of the river, and is an excellent hiking and mountain biking route. Hunting is also allowed although it is somewhat limited by steep terrain and lack of road access west of the Klickitat River.
The Dillacort Canyon Unit is located 5.5 miles northeast of Lyle in Klickitat County. The unit can be accessed at milepost 5 on State Route 142.
The unit lies on the east slopes of the Cascade Mountains, halfway between the Columbia River Gorge to the south and Mount Adams to the north. This unit is located on the Klickitat River.
This unit is part of the Klickitat Wildlife Area.
Game Management Units: 388, 578
Getting there
Maps and directions to WDFW-managed access points for this unit. Opens Google Maps in a new tab.
Contact
Cassandra Holman
Wildlife Area Manager
1886 Glenwood Highway
Goldendale, WA 98620
Recreation and public access
A Discover Pass is required on WDFW lands -- including water access areas, wildlife areas, and campgrounds -- unless you already have a Vehicle Access Pass issued with the purchase of an eligible hunting or fishing license. Recreate responsibly on public lands: please know the Public Conduct Rules.
Public facility information:
- Parking area adjacent to State Route 142.
- Vault toilet is near entrance to campground.
Recreation and access advisories
- Overnight camping is allowed at the Turkey Hole river access site.
- Campfires are permitted within the campground except during the seasonal burn ban, which usually runs from June 1 through October 30.
Hunting
Primary quarry species on this unit are black-tailed deer and turkey.
Hunting advisories
- No hunting with firearms is allowed within 500 feet of the Turkey Hole Campground. (WAC 232-13-130)
Fishing
This unit is within the confines of the Klickitat River Canyon and offers fishing opportunities. A water water access site along the Klickitat River is popular for camping and fishing.
Wildlife viewing
This unit includes oak woodland, grassland and riparian habitats, offering opportunities to view a variety of wildlife.
Search for potential birding opportunities on or near a wildlife area unit by using eBird Northwest, a citizen science database portal that provides freely-shared bird lists at 'hotspots' and interactive maps plus other birding information updated daily.
Conservation
Habitat types include oak woodlands, grasslands and riparian areas.
Special habitats and species
Western gray squirrel occurs in the Oregon white oak woodlands on this unit.
Conservation goals
- Maintain and enhance big game and upland bird habitat
- Maintain and restore riparian and instream habitat for steelhead and salmon along the Klickitat River
- Recover western gray squirrel populations in and around the wildlife area to healthy self-sustaining levels
Western gray squirrel occurs in the Oregon white oak woodlands on this unit.
- Maintain and enhance big game and upland bird habitat
- Maintain and restore riparian and instream habitat for steelhead and salmon along the Klickitat River
- Recover western gray squirrel populations in and around the wildlife area to healthy self-sustaining levels
Land stewardship
Part of this unit is owned by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and managed by WDFW under a Memorandum of Understanding, primarily to conserve habitat and ensure public access along the Klickitat River for fishing. BLM lands are managed under an existing BLM Resource Management Plan and subject to federal laws. The state property on this unit was originally acquired by the former Washington Department of Fisheries.
Acquisition history
The parcels making up this area were purchased between 1950 and 1982.
| Funder | Fund |
|---|---|
| Private Grantor | Private Donation |
| WA Dept of Fish and Wildlife | WDFW Game Fund (now Wildlife Fund) |
| WA Recreation and Conservation Office | State Bond Account |
Management planning
2023 DRAFT Simcoe Mountains Management Plan
The plan will help to guide public access and outdoor recreation, habitat enhancements, and forest and range management, among other elements, for the Simcoe Mountains Unit. The plan will be an addendum to the Klickitat Wildlife Area Plan, which is updated every 10 years.
2016 Klickitat Wildlife Area Management Plan
In 2016, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) updated the management plan for the Klickitat Wildlife Area, which consists of seven units. The management plan addresses the status of wildlife species in the area and their habitat, the progress of restoration efforts, and public recreation opportunities. Every eight to 10 years, WDFW revises management plans for each of its 33 wildlife areas to document current conditions, address new agency initiatives, and identify new management priorities and actions. In between those major revisions, WDFW updates plans every two years to outline short-term objectives and accomplishments.
Planning Advisory Committee
Klickitat Wildlife Area Advisory Committee