This unit has limited access due to no available parking.
Within the debris plain from the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens, the Hoffstadt Unit is made up of mixed conifer and deciduous forest and small meadows within the North Fork Toutle River Valley. The area is primarily managed for elk.
The Hoffstadt Unit is located approximately 10 miles east of the town of Toutle Lake along the North Fork Toutle River. The unit is adjacent to the Mudflow Unit of the Mount St. Helens Wildlife Area.
The Hoffstadt Unit is located within the Toutle River watershed.
This unit is part of the Mount Saint Helens Wildlife Area.
Game Management Units: 556, 520, 522, 524
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 designated parking areas
- No restrooms
Recreation and access advisories
- Sections of the debris plain are unstable and unsettled soft soils, which may be difficult to walk across or impassable
- Off-road driving and ATVs are prohibited
- Camping and overnight parking is prohibited
- Fires and fireworks are prohibited
Hunting
This unit may provide hunting opportunities for band-tailed pigeon, black bear, black-tailed deer, cougar, waterfowl, elk, grouse, and small game. The unit is within the Winston GMU 520, Margaret GMU 524, and Toutle GMU 556.
Hunting advisories
- The Toutle GMU 556 portion of this unit is open to elk hunting by special permit only.
Fishing
All waters within this unit are closed to fishing.
Wildlife viewing
This unit includes mixed conifer and deciduous forest, small meadows, and Mount St. Helens' debris plain, offering opportunities to view a variety of wildlife, including elk.
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
The unit exists in the floodplain of the Toutle River and was covered by debris flows from the eruption of Mount St. Helens. It is comprised of mixed conifer and deciduous forest and small meadows.
Special habitats and species
This unit is primarily managed for elk.
Conservation goals
- 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
- See WDFW's Forest Health Story Map for more information about work happening on the unit.
- Maintain and restore riparian and instream habitat for steelhead and chinook and coho salmon
- Monitor and protect fisher denning areas, if and when they occur on the wildlife area
This unit is primarily managed for elk.
- 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
- See WDFW's Forest Health Story Map for more information about work happening on the unit.
- Maintain and restore riparian and instream habitat for steelhead and chinook and coho salmon
- Monitor and protect fisher denning areas, if and when they occur on the wildlife area
Land stewardship
The Hoffstadt Unit was established in 2009 to enhance elk habitat in the North Fork Toutle River basin. The property was acquired through a land transfer from the Department of Transportation.
Acquisition history
The parcels making up this area were purchased between 1969 and 2009.
| Funder | Fund |
|---|---|
| State of Washington | Legislative Appropriation |
| 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