The Soda Springs Unit offers diverse fish and wildlife habitat, including conifer forest, mixed pine-oak forest, Oregon white oak woodland, riparian forest, open grasslands, aspen groves, talus slopes, cliffs, and bluffs. The diversity of wildlife these habitats support, as well as an elevation change of more than 1,500 feet, make this unit popular for a variety of activities. Hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, wildflower viewing, horseback riding, bicycling, Nordic skiing, and snowshoeing are enjoyed on this unit.
The Soda Springs Unit is located about 15 miles west of Goldendale in Klickitat County. The unit can be accessed from the Glenwood Highway, Soda Springs Road, and Zelinski Road, and several WDFW-maintained roads. The west edge of the unit follows the Klickitat River and is ONLY accessible by road in a few places.
The Soda Springs Unit lies on the east slopes of the Cascade Mountains, halfway between the Columbia River Gorge to the south and Mount Adams to the north. The Klickitat River is a free-flowing tributary of the Columbia River whose headwaters are on Mount Adams. Slopes rise 1,000 to 1,500 feet from the bottom of the narrow valley through which the river flows. Most of the Soda Springs Unit lies on a plateau above the river. This unit is named for a naturally carbonated spring located along the river, near the lower end of the Soda Springs Road.
This unit is part of the Klickitat Wildlife Area.
Game Management Units: 388, 578
Getting there
Maps and directions to WDFW-managed access points for this unit. Opens Google Maps in a new tab.
Contact
Cassandra Holman
Wildlife Area Manager
1886 Glenwood Highway
Goldendale, WA 98620
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 available in campgrounds and along roads
- Vault toilets at the campgrounds along the river
- Three campgrounds: two along the Klickitat River; one primitive campground along a seasonal creek (See ‘Other Recreation' section)
- Boat ramps
Recreation and access advisories
- Be aware that various big game hunting seasons occur from Aug. 1 through Dec. 15, and turkey hunting occurs from April 15 through May 31. Anticipate hunting activity on this unit and exercise appropriate safety precautions.
- Seasonal road closures are in place from Nov. 1 through mid-spring. During this time, all areas behind gates are open to nonmotorized access ONLY. Gates on Anderson Road, Old Headquarters Road, and South Breaks Road are opened by April 15. The Sheep Canyon Road gate is opened when soil firms up, usually by the second week of May. Some roads are posted, "NO UNAUTHORIZED VEHICLES BEYOND THIS POINT." Visitors may use these roads by nonmotorized means of transportation.
- Be aware of private land inholding boundaries. Please respect private property—do NOT trespass.
- Park along roads. Vehicles that are outside of a camping area, and more than 50 feet from the nearest road will be subject to citation for off-road driving, which is prohibited.
- Open campfires are allowed only at Leidl Park and Stinson Flat Campgrounds. Open campfires are allowed except during the seasonal burn ban, which usually runs from June 1 through October 12. The burn ban includes charcoal barbeques and wood fires in any type of container that is not fully enclosed with a screened chimney to catch sparks. Propane stoves, grills, and firepits are allowed for use during the seasonal burn ban (See ‘Other Recreation' section).
- Overnight camping in upland areas is permitted, provided that visitors use established camping sites or camp within 50 feet of roads (See ‘Other Recreation' section: Dispersed camping).
- The duration of stay for camping is limited to 14 days in a 30-day period.
- Cell phone service is spotty and is essentially absent near the river.
- E-Bikes are not permitted for use within non-motorized access areas on the Klickitat Wildlife Area.
Hunting
Deer hunting and turkey hunting are popular on this unit. Other hunted wildlife species include ruffed and sooty grouse, black bear, bobcat, cougar, gray partridge, quail, chukar, elk, and coyote.
Hunting advisories
- No hunting with firearms is allowed within 500 feet of the Stinson Flat or Leidl Park Campgrounds (WAC 220-500-140)
- This unit is open to hunting with the exception of areas posted as SAFETY ZONES. SAFETY ZONES are posted around the wildlife area headquarters facilities and neighboring residences.
- The meat-cutting business at Blockhouse has closed and we are not aware of another business that offers this service in the area. Successful hunters should plan on dressing game animals themselves.
Fishing
Fishing on the Klickitat River is popular on this unit. Boat access is available at Leidl Park and Stinson Flat Campgrounds.
Fishing advisories
- Fish retention rules are updated based on seasonal fish population projections and river conditions. Please check for recent updates on WDFW's website for the latest information.
- Fishing regulations for the Klickitat River segment 608, from 500 feet upstream of #5 Fishway up to the boundary markers below the Klickitat Salmon Hatchery, apply.
- A Columbia River Salmon/Steelhead Endorsement card is required for fishing for these species.
- Barbless hooks are required for salmon and steelhead fishing.
- Downstream of the Stinson Flat Campground, the next available take-out point near a road is below the confluence of the Klickitat and the Little Klickitat Rivers.
Wildlife viewing
The Soda Springs Unit features a wide variety of habitats. Open grasslands, conifer forests, aspen groves, oak-pine woodlands, pure oak groves, riparian forest, agricultural fields, talus slopes, cliffs, vernal ponds and streams, and the Klickitat River support a rich diversity of fauna. The mosaic distribution of habitats hosts a complex wildlife community. Wildlife may be viewed from roads, by boat, or during cross-country walks. A total of 242 species of birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians have been documented on the wildlife area, mostly on the Soda Springs Unit. Western gray squirrels, a state-listed threatened species, occupy the conifer forests in the Klickitat River Canyon. Deer, turkeys, bears, and cougars range over almost the entire unit.
Western gray squirrels are pewter-gray with a white or pale yellow underside, and have a long, bushy tail. They may be observed foraging on the ground for seeds, acorns, insects, mushrooms, or green vegetation. Adults build platform nests in pine or fir trees, and young are raised in hollow oak trees.
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.
Wildlife viewing advisories
- Dogs are welcome on the Soda Springs Unit, provided they are on leash (WAC 232-13-180). Dogs that run freely disturb wildlife by interfering with foraging and nesting activities, threatening their young.
Other recreational opportunities
Although there are no developed hiking trails, the open nature of the country is conducive to dispersed hiking. Wildlife area administrative service roads, which are closed to motorized travel by the public, are excellent for hiking as well as bicycling. Roads closed during winter to vehicle traffic may be accessed by bike, too. January generally offers suitable snowfall for Nordic skiing and snowshoeing. From May through mid-December, horses are allowed on roads that are closed to motorized access.
The Soda Springs Unit has several options for camping with varying levels of convenience for visitors:
LEIDL PARK CAMPGROUND is located along the Klickitat River, just north of the bridge where the Glenwood Highway crosses the river. It has two entrances: one is east and one is west of the highway. Both are RV-accessible, but the west entrance has easier access. Roads are good and graded annually. The campground has flat ground. There are two vault toilets: one is in the east and one in the west section. A concrete boat ramp is in the west section.
STINSON FLAT CAMPGROUND is located along the Klickitat River, a few miles downstream from the bridge where the Glenwood Highway crosses the river. This campground is at the lower end of a gravel road approximately 1.1 mile long. Due to the road access, this campground is more popular for tent camping. RVs may have trouble climbing the road up out of the campground. The road is graded annually. It has a significant grade and, by midsummer, often develops a washboard surface. The campground has flat ground. There is one vault toilet. A primitive boat launch and retrieval spot is armored gravel.
CANYON CREEK CAMPGROUND offers a more primitive experience and is located near the Glenwood Highway, along a seasonal creek that is usually dry in June. The entrance road is north of Milepost 21 on the highway. The road, which is narrow, and campground are flat. The campground is most popular for hunting camps; small to mid-sized camp trailers and tents are typical. There is no toilet. Portable toilets can be rented from a local sanitation service company that will deliver to this location. Dispersed camping is allowed along most roads open to public vehicle use, either beside the road, or in wide spots adjacent to the road identified as "camping areas." Camping areas are marked by signs; however, please observe the camping location limitations as posted on signs on the roads, with the message: NO CAMPING BEYOND THIS POINT.
Other advisories
- Open campfires are allowed ONLY at Leidl Park and Stinson Flat Campgrounds--except during the seasonal burn ban, which usually runs from June 1 through Oct. 12. The burn ban includes charcoal barbeques and wood fires in any type of container that is not fully enclosed with a screened chimney to catch sparks. Propane stoves, grills, and firepits are allowed for use during the seasonal burn ban.
- Only dead and downed wood may be salvaged for firewood. No standing trees may be cut.
- In locations NOT marked as "CAMPING AREAS": if camping along roads, visitors must keep their entire camp within 50 feet of the edge of the road; this helps preserves wildlife habitat.
- In locations marked as "CAMPING AREAS": camping more than 50 feet from the edge of the road is allowed. These areas are flat and usually accommodate several camps. The outer boundaries of camping areas are defined by the edges of bare ground.
- Do not move rocks or logs, or cut vegetation to create new camping spots.
- Pick up garbage at your camping area; no garbage collection facilities are available.
- Noisy generators at campgrounds and camping areas are discouraged. Please be considerate of other campers, who may prefer the sounds of nature to engine noise.
- Biking off-road is discouraged due to disturbance of wildlife as well as increasing the potential for erosion associated with poorly placed trails.
- For Nordic skiing and snowshoeing: Adequate snow depth is less dependable in December and February.
- Horseback riders are encouraged to stay on roads. Most of the watering sites are seasonally available; after June 1, many are dry. Horseback riding is prohibited from Dec. 16 through April 30.
Conservation
This unit has diverse habitats, including conifer forest, mixed pine-oak forest, Oregon white oak woodland, riparian forest, open grasslands, aspen groves, talus slopes, cliffs, and bluffs. Plant communities on large areas of ground are in a remarkably natural state, exhibiting characteristics of pre-settlement rangeland. Selective logging and a lack of active management has altered conifer forest, producing stands overstocked with trees. Suppression of wildfires over the past hundred years has caused a shift in the characteristics of the oak and pine-oak woodlands. Nevertheless, many wildlife species occupy the varied habitats on the Soda Springs Unit, and the WDFW is taking a thoughtful and measured approach to habitat restoration work.
Special habitats and species
The Klickitat River runs through a fairly narrow valley characteristic of many rivers along the east side of the Cascade Range. Many small, usually seasonal, tributaries drain directly into the river through side canyons that lend topographic variety to the terrain. Conifer forests are usually present on north-facing slopes and open grasslands are common on south and west-facing slopes. Oak woodlands are intermixed with these two habitat types. Riparian forest is found along the banks of the river. This mosaic of diverse habitats attracts a wide variety of wildlife species, especially birds. Western gray squirrels, which are a state-listed threatened species, occupy the conifer forests in the Klickitat River Canyon. Deer, turkeys, bears, and cougars range over almost the entire unit.
Conservation goals
- Maintain or enhance winter range for deer
- Improve forest health
- Maintain and enhance the Oregon white oak woodlands
- Maintain and restore riparian and instream habitat for steelhead and salmon along the Klickitat River
- Recover western gray squirrel populations in and around the wildlife area to healthy self-sustaining levels
The Klickitat River runs through a fairly narrow valley characteristic of many rivers along the east side of the Cascade Range. Many small, usually seasonal, tributaries drain directly into the river through side canyons that lend topographic variety to the terrain. Conifer forests are usually present on north-facing slopes and open grasslands are common on south and west-facing slopes. Oak woodlands are intermixed with these two habitat types. Riparian forest is found along the banks of the river. This mosaic of diverse habitats attracts a wide variety of wildlife species, especially birds. Western gray squirrels, which are a state-listed threatened species, occupy the conifer forests in the Klickitat River Canyon. Deer, turkeys, bears, and cougars range over almost the entire unit.
- Maintain or enhance winter range for deer
- Improve forest health
- Maintain and enhance the Oregon white oak woodlands
- Maintain and restore riparian and instream habitat for steelhead and salmon along the Klickitat River
- Recover western gray squirrel populations in and around the wildlife area to healthy self-sustaining levels
Land stewardship
The Soda Springs Unit is the largest unit of the Klickitat Wildlife Area. The Klickitat River Canyon was recognized early as an important winter range for deer, and land acquisitions were intended to conserve critical habitat for this species. This unit originated with a purchase of property in 1948, and since then has grown in size with additional land purchases as well as lease agreements and land exchanges with another state agency, and a memorandum of understanding involving federal lands under the care of Bureau of Land Management. Though the unit is composed of lands owned by three different agencies, most of this unit is owned by WDFW. WDFW purchased properties from private owners who formerly used the land for livestock pasture, cultivation of crops, and timber production.
Acquisition history
The parcels making up this area were purchased between 1948 and 2021.
| Funder | Fund |
|---|---|
| Private Grantor | Private Donation |
| US Fish and Wildlife Service | Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Program |
| US National Park Service | Land and Water Conservation Fund |
| WA Dept of Fish and Wildlife | WDFW Game Fund (now Wildlife Fund) |
| WA Recreation and Conservation Office | Salmon Recovery Fund |
| WA Recreation and Conservation Office | State Bond Account |
| WA Recreation and Conservation Office | Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program |
Management planning
2023 DRAFT Simcoe Mountains Management Plan
The plan will help to guide public access and outdoor recreation, habitat enhancements, and forest and range management, among other elements, for the Simcoe Mountains Unit. The plan will be an addendum to the Klickitat Wildlife Area Plan, which is updated every 10 years.
2016 Klickitat Wildlife Area Management Plan
In 2016, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) updated the management plan for the Klickitat Wildlife Area, which consists of seven 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. 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
Klickitat Wildlife Area Advisory Committee