The Beebe Springs Unit covers 1 mile of Columbia River shoreline that includes riparian, wetland, upland shrubsteppe and cliff/talus habitats. This unit is easily accessible from Highway 97 just southeast of Chelan, and offers diverse opportunities for visitors, including an ADA interpretive trail, wildlife viewing along the Columbia River, and Frank's Pond, which provides fishing opportunities to anglers under 15 years of age.
The Beebe Springs Unit is located along the Columbia River southeast of Chelan in Chelan County. The unit can be accessed from State Highway 97 and State Highway 150.
The Beebe Springs Unit is located on the Columbia River in the east Cascades. Recreation and agriculture (fruit trees and wine grapevines) are the primary land uses in the surrounding area.
This unit is part of the Chelan Wildlife Area.
Game Management Unit: 243
Getting there
Maps and directions to WDFW-managed access points for this unit. Opens Google Maps in a new tab.
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:
- ADA parking
- ADA vault toilet
- ADA and non-ADA trails
- Interpretive signs
Recreation and access advisories
- All trails are for pedestrian use ONLY.
- Day use ONLY.
- Dogs must be leashed and under the control of the owner in the parking areas, on the trails, and at Frank's Pond.
- This unit is closed to public access from Dec. 1 to March 15.
Hunting
There is hunting opportunity on the north end of the unit for quail and chukar and along the Columbia River for waterfowl.
Fishing
Steelhead and summer chinook salmon can be fished for in the Columbia River.
Frank's Pond, a youth only fishing opportunity, provides rainbow trout fishing opportunities for youth under 15 years of age during the spring, summer, and early fall months.
Fishing advisories
- Please use the main parking area for access to Frank's Pond.
Wildlife viewing
This unit has one mile of Columbia River shoreline plus includes riparian, wetland, upland shrubsteppe and cliff/talus habitats, offering opportunities to view a variety of wildlife.
In Beebe Creek, spawning steelhead may be seen in April and May, while spawning chinook and coho salmon may be seen in Oct. and Nov.
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
Miles of trails offer hiking opportunities. West of Highway 97 are Cultus Jim and Chelan Bob trails; east of Highway 97, crushed-rock trails with gentle grades are ADA accessible. Several geocaches and earthcaches can also be found on the unit. A hand-carry boat launch on the Columbia River provides river access for canoeing and kayaking.
On the trails east of State Route 97, see life-size metal sculptures of indigenous peoples by Colville Confederation Tribe member Virgil "Smoker" Marchand. Interpretive signs also inform visitors about the natural and cultural history of the area.
Conservation
This relatively small unit hosts diverse fish and wildlife habitats, including riparian, wetland, upland shrubsteppe and cliff/talus. Beebe Beebe Springs Creek meanders through the eastern portion of the property.
Special habitats and species
The rare orchard Ute Ladies' Tresses is located on the Beebe Springs Unit.
Conservation goals
- Maintain and enhance upland habitat
- Maintain and restore floodplains for fish habitat
- Include butterflies and other pollinator species in habitat management activities
- Protect tiger salamander habitat by preventing the drying of wetlands, ponds, lakes, and streams
The rare orchard Ute Ladies' Tresses is located on the Beebe Springs Unit.
- Maintain and enhance upland habitat
- Maintain and restore floodplains for fish habitat
- Include butterflies and other pollinator species in habitat management activities
- Protect tiger salamander habitat by preventing the drying of wetlands, ponds, lakes, and streams
Land stewardship
The Bebee Springs Unit surrounds the Chelan Fish Hatchery. Acquisition of the provided the opprtunity to secure water rights for the Chelan Hatchery and preseve one-mile of Columbia River shorline, riparian/wetland, and shrubsteppe habitat.
Acquisition history
The parcels making up this area were purchased between 2003 and 2013.
| Funder | Fund |
|---|---|
| State of Washington | Legislative Appropriation |
| WA Recreation and Conservation Office | Aquatic Lands Enhancement Account |
| WA Recreation and Conservation Office | Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program |
Management planning
2018 Chelan Wildlife Area Management Plan
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is developing a new management plan for the Chelan Wildlife Area. The wildlife area includes about 30,874 acres of land in Chelan and Okanogan counties. WDFW acquired most of the wildlife area property as a result of a 1963 agreement with the Chelan County PUD to lessen the impact of the Rocky Reach Dam project on wildlife. The department manages the area primarily for big game and upland game birds. Chelan Wildlife Area provides a great variety of recreational opportunities including hunting, photography, wildlife viewing, and camping. The wildlife area's numerous dirt roads, which are closed to motorized vehicles, offer good hiking, mountain biking, cross country skiing and snowshoeing opportunities. The new plan will address the status of wildlife species and their habitat, ongoing restoration efforts, management challenges such as invasive species and public recreation opportunities at the wildlife area.
Planning Advisory Committee
Chelan Wildlife Area Advisory Committee