The Swale Creek Unit consists mostly of steppe and riparian shrub habitat along two creeks. This unit is popular for upland game bird hunting, hiking, and wildlife viewing.
The Swale Creek Unit straddles Swale Creek, west of Centerville, in Klickitat County. The unit is best accessed via the Klickitat Trail from its crossing at Harms Road.
This unit is on a plateau east of the foothills of the Cascade Range. The property lies along the middle segment of Swale Creek, which is a large tributary of the Klickitat River. The creek flows through a broad valley at the east end of the property and descends through a narrowing canyon at the west end of the property.
This unit is part of the Klickitat Wildlife Area.
Game Management Unit: 388
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:
- Limited parking on Harms Road
- Portable toilet available in the spring season
Recreation and access advisories
- Day use only.
- No camping or fires are permitted.
- Private property lies between Harms Road and the unit. Please respect private property—do NOT trespass.
- Rules for use of the Klickitat Trail are posted at the access points. The trail is non-motorized use only. Horses are prohibited. Dogs are required to be on leash to prevent conflicts with other trail users, landowners and wildlife. The segment of the trail that follows Swale Creek is closed seasonally due to high fire danger.
Hunting
The Swale Creek Unit primarily offers upland bird hunting, with gray partridge as the primary hunting focus. The unit also offers black-tailed deer hunting opportunities.
Wildlife viewing
This unit is mostly steppe with riparian shrubs along two creeks. Hillsides with native short grasses, balsamroot and lupine offer opportunities to view a variety of wildlife including black-tailed deer, golden eagles, gray partridge, and western meadowlarks. In spring when Swale Creek is at full flow, river otters may be observed in the creek.
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
The Klickitat Trail, a popular hiking and biking trail, runs east to west along Swale Creek. The Swale Canyon segment of the Klickitat Trail is a favorite route for viewing spring wildflowers, migratory songbirds, and prairie raptor species.
Other advisories
- Rules for use of the Klickitat Trail are posted at the access points. The trail is non-motorized use only. Horses are prohibited. Dogs are required to be on leash to prevent conflicts with other trail users, landowners and wildlife. The segment of the trail that follows Swale Creek is closed seasonally due to high fire danger.
Conservation
The Swale Creek Unit is mostly native steppe habitat with limited riparian areas along two creeks. Open hillsides support stands of native short grasses, balsamroot, and several species of lupine. Swale Creek affords habitat for a run of native steelhead, and a small perennial tributary stream on the property harbors juvenile fish year round.
Special habitats and species
Swale Creek is a tributary of the Klickitat River and flows through a large canyon that is home to many prairie bird species. The creek bed is mostly bedrock fringed by shrubs or steppe plants. This windswept property has few trees, but rock outcrops provide shelter for several native plants that require more shade and water, creating a variety of microhabitats lending diversity to area fauna. The flow in Swale Creek is strongest from February through April. By August, the creek is mostly reduced to scattered pools in the canyon bottom.
Conservation goals
- Protect habitat and water quality for anadromous fish
- Maintain native upland plant communities
Swale Creek is a tributary of the Klickitat River and flows through a large canyon that is home to many prairie bird species. The creek bed is mostly bedrock fringed by shrubs or steppe plants. This windswept property has few trees, but rock outcrops provide shelter for several native plants that require more shade and water, creating a variety of microhabitats lending diversity to area fauna. The flow in Swale Creek is strongest from February through April. By August, the creek is mostly reduced to scattered pools in the canyon bottom.
- Protect habitat and water quality for anadromous fish
- Maintain native upland plant communities
Land stewardship
This property was purchased primarily to protect stream habitat and water quality for fish.
Acquisition history
The parcels making up this area were purchased in 2007.
| Funder | Fund |
|---|---|
| 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