Land Classification in Mt. Spokane State Park

	Download Classification Map Download Interim Trail Use Plan Low Resolution  version Print Version News

1.  Recreation Area:  These areas are suited and/or developed for high intensity recreational, cultural or educational use, or other uses serving large numbers of people.  Protection of the area’s natural qualities is given secondary consideration. 
2.  Resource Recreation Area:  These areas are suited and/or developed for medium and low intensity recreational use.  Management must include an emphasis on preserving the quality of the natural and cultural resources while allowing appropriate and sustainable levels of human use and enjoyment.
3.  Heritage Areas:  These areas are designated for preservation, restoration, and interpretation of outstanding, unique or unusual archaeological, historical, scientific, and/or cultural features, and traditional cultural properties, which are of state-wide or national significance.
4.  Natural Areas (including Natural Forest Areas or NFAs):  These areas are designated for preservation, restoration, and interpretation of natural processes and/or features of significant ecological, geological or paleontological value while providing for low-intensity outdoor recreation activities as subordinate uses.
5.  Natural Area Preserves (NAPs):  These areas are designated for preservation of rare or vanishing flora, fauna, geological, natural historical or similar features of scientific or educational value and which are registered and committed as a natural area preserve through a cooperative agreement with an appropriate natural resource agency.

Parks has created a list of 69 activities that are either permitted, conditionally permitted or not permitted within each of these 5 classifications.  For example, in Natural Forest Areas, mountain biking, equestrian, and snowmobile trails are not permitted.  Nordic track skiing is also not permitted, but back country skiing and hiking trails are permitted.

In Natural Area Preserves, only activities associated with scientific research and education are permitted, while hiking on designated trails, interpretation, back country skiing, and snowshoeing is conditionally permitted.
At Mt. Spokane State Park, all historic trail uses will be permitted in the Resource Recreation, Heritage, and Recreation Area classified lands as well as the “Chair 4 Road” within the unclassified northwest side of Mt. Spokane.  However, staff may in the future close specific trails to specific uses, pursuant to Washington Administrative Code procedures.

About 58% of Mt. Spokane State Park is now classified as Resource Recreation, about 10% is Recreation, about 22% is Natural Forest Area, about 4% is Natural Area Preserve, about 1% is Heritage, and about 5% is unclassified pending further study of the proposed alpine ski expansion area. 

How to join the Friends of Mt Spokane State Park