L.T. Murray Wildlife Area

Notice for winter recreators: Snow grooming of U.S. Forest Service (USFS) Road 41 on the L.T. Murray Wildlife Area will be limited this year due to damage to the bridge at Cole Creek. The bridge is closed as it is not safe for crossing by vehicle at this time. Snow will only be groomed from the Easton reload area (the parking/unloading area for trucks with trailers) to the east side of the bridge. Grooming on the west side of the bridge ends at Stampede Pass. This grooming plan is for public safety and resource protection. Winter recreation on the ungroomed trails is permitted, but at the discretion and risk of the user. Snow NW has an interactive map showing the affected area. Please don’t drive all the way to the closed bridge as there is little space to park or turn around.

The L.T. Murray Wildlife Area is located in Kittitas County, and covers approximately 118,300 acres in five units, with thousands of acres of Department of Natural Resources, Bureau of Land Management, and US Forest Service lands interspersed throughout in a checkerboard pattern. The exception is the Yakima River unit located to the northwest and the Teanaway Valley Unit.

The wildlife area is managed to protect critical winter range for deer and elk, as well as to provide and protect upland game bird habitat. Approximately 2,000 head of elk are fed on the L.T. Murray Wildlife Area each winter to minimize damage on private agricultural lands. From mid-December until mid-March hay is distributed daily at two feed sites, which provide popular elk viewing and educational opportunities. These properties also protect sage-grouse habitat and endangered steelhead fisheries. Wildlife area staff control weeds on 600-1,000 acres annually, and participate in cooperative weed control efforts with the Kittitas County Noxious Weed Control Board. When feasible and necessary, native vegetation is reseeded in areas of recent weed control.

Public recreational opportunities on the wildlife area are diverse, and include hunting, camping, fishing, wildlife viewing, target shooting, wildflower view opportunities, ATV and snowmobile riding, horseback and bicycle riding, and hiking. Recently, the wildlife areas have seen a dramatic increase in non-hunting uses such as ATV riding, bird watching, and shed antler collection. By actively managing lands, restoring habitats, and preserving wild places, the department serves as stewards for Washington's natural places, protecting the state's land and water for its human and wildlife populations.

Read a story map about the L.T. Murray Wildlife Area and learn more about the opportunities and benefits WDFW land management facilitates for the public, wildlife, and habitats.

Check out WDFW's Forest Health story map to find out about the department's forest conservation work on the wildlife area.

Firewood Gathering

Firewood gathering permits for Hutchins Road slash piles are available at the L.T. Murray Wildlife Area from May 1 until Oct. 31, 2024. A Discover Pass is required for this area. Firewood gathering is limited to a maximum of five cords from the slash piles only. Felling or cutting of any other trees is not permitted. Permits are $10 per cord. Firewood removal is for domestic use only. Permittees must not sell, give away, or exchange any of the materials removed. Permittees are required to confirm if they can operate chainsaws during high fire danger periods by verifying Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) at the Washington Department of Natural Resources website. Download permit (PDF).