This unit has limited access due to no available parking.
Permanent Rule WSR 23-02-069: It is unlawful for any person to cause or allow goats or sheep to be untethered or unattended on this wildlife area unit, unless otherwise permitted by the director to do so. Goats or sheep that have tested positive for Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae or that are displaying signs of pneumonia or other illness will not be permitted. Goats or sheep showing signs of pneumonia or other illness while on department lands must be removed within 48 hours. If a goat or sheep becomes lost, the owner must make every effort to locate and recover it. If the goat or sheep cannot be recovered, the owner shall contact the department by telephone as soon as possible.
Mountain goats roam the alpine areas in the Rock Creek Unit, while the shrubsteppe and basalt cliffs are home to elk, mule deer, and bighorn sheep. Rivers and streams flowing through the unit are used by bull trout, cutthroat and rainbow trout, as well as salmon. Recreation opportunities include hunting, camping, hiking, wildlife viewing, and ORV trails. The unit has breathtaking views of Mount Rainier from the top of Bald Mountain and unique landforms like Devils Slide.
The Rock Creek Unit is located about 20 miles northwest of Naches in Kittitas County. The unit can be accessed from U.S. Forest Service Roads 1701, 1702, 1705, and 1708 off of State Route 410.
The Rock Creek Unit is located on the east slopes of the Cascades and within the Naches and Tieton River Sub-basins of the Yakima River Watershed. This unit is in checkerboard ownership with U.S. Forest Service on the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest.
This unit is part of the Oak Creek Wildlife Area.
Game Management Units: 342, 340, 346
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
- No restroom
Recreation and access advisories
- See Rock Creek Unit ownership/route map (PDF) for detailed road and trail information.
- The Rock Creek area contains groomed snowmobile routes in the winter that are restricted to tracked vehicles steered by skis during applicable winter months, typically Dec. 15 through April 1.
Hunting
The area is popular for hunting big game, including deer, elk, and bear during fall seasons. Forest grouse and turkey also occur on the unit.
This unit offers annual hunting and fishing opportunities for underrepresented groups.
Fishing
This unit offers limited-occasional trout fishing opportunities.
Wildlife viewing
This unit includes shrubsteppe, basalt cliffs, rivers, and streams, offering opportunities to view a variety of wildlife, including mule deer, elk, mountain goat, and bighorn sheep.
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
The top of Bald Mountain offers breathtaking views of Mount Rainier — hiking access is from a trail accessible via U.S. Forest Service roads. This unit has numerous motorized recreation trails.
The WDFW and U.S. Forest Service co-manage motorized trails that offer opportunities for ORV recreation in the summer and fall.
Conservation
Special habitats and species
Lower elevations in the east are primarily dry pine and mixed conifer habitats while higher elevations to the west contain moist mixed conifer to subalpine. The unit includes critical habitat for the northern spotted owl and bull trout.
Conservation goals
- Improve ecological integrity of forests while maintaining and/or improving habitat for wildlife
- Maintain and enhance upland bird habitat
Lower elevations in the east are primarily dry pine and mixed conifer habitats while higher elevations to the west contain moist mixed conifer to subalpine. The unit includes critical habitat for the northern spotted owl and bull trout.
- Improve ecological integrity of forests while maintaining and/or improving habitat for wildlife
- Maintain and enhance upland bird habitat
Land stewardship
The Rock Creek Unit was purchased primarily for the protection of key spotted owl habitat, bull trout, grizzly bear, and gray wolf.
Acquisition history
The parcels making up this area were purchased between 2009 and 2011.
| Funder | Fund |
|---|---|
| US Fish and Wildlife Service | Endangered Species Act Section 6 Program |
| WA Recreation and Conservation Office | Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program |
Management planning
2018 Oak Creek Wildlife Area Management Plan
In 2018, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) updated the management plan for the Oak Creek Wildlife Area, which consists of three 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. The plan covers activities for three landscapes in the Cowiche, Oak Creek, and Rock Creek units. 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
Oak Creek Wildlife Area Advisory Committee