Swauk/Blewett OHV Area
The Swauk and Blewett OHV riding areas in the Okanogan-Wenatchee State Forest occupy the Peshastin Creek and Swauk Creek drainages on the eastern slope of the Cascades in Chelan and Kittitas counties: a significantly drier, sunnier environment than the western Cascades systems, with ponderosa pine and Douglas fir forest replacing the dense wet-climate conifers of the Puget Sound side. The eastern Cascade character gives Swauk-Blewett riding conditions that western Washington OHV riders cross the mountains specifically to access: more days per year with dry, rideable conditions, forest that opens up compared to the dense Puget Sound lowland stands, and the dramatic topographic relief of the Cascades' eastern escarpment where creek drainages cut deep into the mountains above the Wenatchee River valley. The trail network runs on existing forest roads and designated OHV routes through working timberland managed by WDNR, with elevations ranging from the valley floor at 1,500 feet to ridge terrain above 4,500 feet where views extend across the Columbia River basin to the east. ATVs, dirt bikes, and UTVs are permitted on designated routes; the lower-elevation forest road sections accommodate full-size machines while upper single-track sections favor narrower vehicles. A Washington Discover Pass is required. The Okanogan-Wenatchee State Forest Wenatchee office (509-664-9200) handles current seasonal road gates and OHV route designations.