Ahtanum State Forest
Ahtanum State Forest encompasses 75,000 acres of high-desert and forested DNR land in Yakima County, Washington, approximately 30 miles west of Yakima on the south slope of the Cascades above the Yakima Valley. The forest's OHV-accessible road network consists of 70+ miles of Green Dot roads, a Washington DNR designation for roads open to motor vehicles and marked with green reflective dots in the field. The network connects three developed campgrounds (Ahtanum Meadows, Tree Phones, and Clover Flats), enabling multi-day riding itineraries staged from camp without repetitive trailering. Terrain transitions from sagebrush steppe and ponderosa pine at lower elevations to subalpine meadow at the highest points near Darling Mountain and the surrounding ridges, with views across the Yakima Valley and toward Mount Adams and Mount Rainier on clear days. Motorcycles, ATVs, UTVs, and 4x4s are all permitted on the Green Dot road network. Green Dot roads are seasonally closed December through May to protect road surfaces during spring thaw, the window is enforced and enforced by gate rather than by honor system. A Washington Discover Pass is required for all vehicle access to state forest recreation sites. Yakima area riders consider Ahtanum the primary local OHV destination east of the Cascades.