The Cedar Creek Unit was acquired to maintain and protect mineral springs, which are used by band-tailed pigeons. Other management priorities include stream restoration, including riparian plantings.
The Cedar Creek Unit is located northeast of La Center in Clark County. The unit can be accessed from Cedar Creek Road (NW Hayes Road) off of Highway 503.
Cedar Creek is a tributary to the North Fork Lewis River in the Columbia River Basin. This unit is surrounded by private lands.
This unit is part of the Mount Saint Helens Wildlife Area.
Game Management Unit: 564
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:
- Parking at small pullout near gate
- No restroom
Recreation and access advisories
- Vehicles and ATVs are prohibited on this unit
- Camping and overnight parking is prohibited
- Fires and fireworks are prohibited
Hunting
This unit may provide hunting opportunities for band-tailed pigeon, black-tailed deer, waterfowl, elk, grouse, mourning dove, and small game.
Hunting advisories
- This unit is in a restricted firearm use zone, in which only shotguns and bow and arrow equipment can be used. The use of rifles and pistols here is prohibited under county rules.
Wildlife viewing
This unit offers opportunities to view a variety of wildlife.
Protected mineral springs for band-tailed pigeon also offers opportunities to see these birds.
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
Special habitats and species
Mineral springs on the unit provide habitat that attracts band-tailed pigeons.
Conservation goals
- Maintain and restore riparian and instream habitat for steelhead and chinook and coho salmon
- Develop strategy for riparian/wetland restoration projects to benefit fish and wildlife species
- Improve ecological integrity of forests while maintaining and/or improving habitat for wildlife
- Maintain and enhance foraging habitat for band-tailed pigeons
- Maintain and enhance habitat conditions at mineral sites
Mineral springs on the unit provide habitat that attracts band-tailed pigeons.
- Maintain and restore riparian and instream habitat for steelhead and chinook and coho salmon
- Develop strategy for riparian/wetland restoration projects to benefit fish and wildlife species
- Improve ecological integrity of forests while maintaining and/or improving habitat for wildlife
- Maintain and enhance foraging habitat for band-tailed pigeons
- Maintain and enhance habitat conditions at mineral sites
Land stewardship
The Cedar Creek Unit was acquired to maintain natural mineral springs, which at the time were important for band-tailed pigeons.
Acquisition history
The parcels making up this area were purchased between 1955 and 1962.
| Funder | Fund |
|---|---|
| WA Dept of Fish and Wildlife | WA Dept. of Fisheries Funds |
| WA Dept of Fish and Wildlife | WDFW Game Fund (now Wildlife Fund) |
Management planning
2019 Mount Saint Helens Wildlife Area Management Plan
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife completed the new management plan for the Mount St. Helens Wildlife Area, which is comprised of 18 units in Skamania, Clark, Cowlitz, and Wahkiakum counties, and totals 10,002 acres. The Mount St. Helens Wildlife Area is largely managed for elk in the North Fork Toutle River Valley, but the area units are diverse, and provide habitat for multitudes of species, over a broad range of habitats including old growth forest, forested floodplains, riparian areas, ancient lava flows, mineral springs, tidal mudflats, and wetlands. The new management addresses the status of wildlife species and their habitat, ongoing restoration efforts and public recreation opportunities at the wildlife area.
Planning Advisory Committee
Mount Saint Helens Wildlife Area Advisory Committee