The Horse Spring Coulee Unit consists of sagebrush-steppe and grassland on rolling, south-facing hillsides and scattered rock outcroppings. Narrow rocky draws run north to south through the middle of the unit and eroded sand hills can be found in the northeast corner of the property. This unit offers sweeping views of the coulee and surrounding countryside.
The Horse Spring Coulee Unit is located 3.5 miles west of Tonasket in Okanogan County. The unit can be accessed from Horse Spring Coulee Road, but access is walk-in ONLY.
The Horse Spring Coulee Unit occurs in the Okanogan Watershed in the Columbia River Basin. The unit is surrounded by private lands.
This unit is part of the Sinlahekin Wildlife Area.
Game Management Unit: 209
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:
- No developed parking area, but parking possible adjacent to Horse Spring Coulee Road
- No restroom
Recreation and access advisories
- Private property borders the entire permeter of this unit. Please respect private property and read posted signs throughout the area.
Hunting
Mule deer are the primary hunting opportunity on this unit.
Wildlife viewing
This unit includes sagebrush-steppe and dry grasslands, offering opportunities to view a variety of wildlife, including badger, coyote, mule and white-tailed deer, raptors, songbirds, and reptiles.
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.
Other recreational opportunities
This unit offers opportunities for hiking, horseback riding, and nature photography.
Wildflowers and native grasses are plentiful in the spring and early summer, making for a very scenic landscape.
Conservation
Habitats are mostly sagebrush-steppe and dry grassland.
Conservation goals
- Enhance shrubsteppe habitat
- Maintain and enhance game and upland bird habitat
Land stewardship
The Horse Spring Coulee Unit was purchased primarily for critical mule deer wintering habitat.
Acquisition history
The parcels making up this area were purchased in 2008.
| Funder | Fund |
|---|---|
| State of Washington | Legislative Appropriation |
| US Fish and Wildlife Service | Endangered Species Act Section 6 Program |
Management planning
2017 Scotch Creek and Sinlahekin Wildlife Areas Management Plan
In 2017, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife updated the management plan for the Scotch Creek Wildlife Area, which encompasses 23, 980 acres in Okanogan County, and the nearby Sinlahekin Wildlife Area in north central Washington. The plan, called the Scotch Creek & Sinlahekin Wildlife Area Management Plan, addresses the status of wildlife species and their habitat, ongoing restoration efforts and public recreation opportunities at both Scotch Creek and Sinlahekin wildlife areas. 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
Okanogan Valley Wildlife Area Advisory Committee