Chelan Wildlife Area: hunting, units and access
The Chelan Wildlife Area is 31,066 acres of land managed by WDFW in Region 2, in 7 units, inside GMUs 247, 250, 239, 245 and 243, measured from WDFW's boundary. Of the GMUs it touches, WDFW reports the most deer taken in GMU 247: 135 in 2025.
Data updated October 2026. Area facts: WDFW's page for the Chelan Wildlife Area, read 2026-10-18, and WDFW's facility data. Harvest: WDFW reports to 2025.
National forestBLMDNR state trust landWDFW landNational wildlife refuge (refuge rules; not counted)Other public (parks, county, city, other agencies)Chelan Wildlife AreaGMU lineLake or riverHighway
| Size | 31,066 acres (WDFW boundary, measured by FilledTag) |
|---|---|
| WDFW region | Region 2, North Central Washington |
| GMUs | GMU 247, GMU 250, GMU 239, GMU 245, GMU 243 |
| Units | 7 |
| Roads and trails | 158 miles |
| Parking areas | 14 |
| Nearest towns | Entiat (next to it), Cashmere (next to it) and Pateros (next to it) |
What is the Chelan Wildlife Area like?
The Chelan Wildlife Area is located in Chelan County, with one unit located in Okanogan County, and includes approximately 31,100 acres of land ranging in elevation from 710 feet along the Columbia River to 4,300 feet. Shrubsteppe is the predominant habitat type through most of the area. Open Ponderosa pine habitat and denser mixed coniferous forest occur at higher elevations. Riparian vegetation occurs throughout the area's creek bottoms and in the vicinity of springs. The wildlife area is managed primarily for big game and upland game birds but also manages it for a great diversity of other wildlife species. Wildlife using the area includes Neotropical birds, raptors, upland game birds, bears, cougars, mule deer, and bighorn sheep. The Columbia River, which is adjacent or near much of the wildlife area, attracts thousands of waterfowl and other water birds. Bald and golden eagle nesting territories occur on the wildlife area.
In WDFW's words, from WDFW's Chelan Wildlife Area page.
What units make up the Chelan Wildlife Area?
WDFW manages the area as 7 units. The largest is Swakane at 11,019 acres.
| Unit | Acres | GMUs | Parking areas | Campgrounds | Hunting blinds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Swakane | 11,019 | 250 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Chelan Butte | 9,323 | 243, 247 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Entiat | 8,904 | 247 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Pateros | 1,223 | 239 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| White River | 401 | 245 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Beebe Springs | 179 | 243 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Cashmere Pond | 19 | 251 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Unit outlines and facilities: WDFW wildlife area and unit boundaries. Acres measured by FilledTag.
WDFW's notes for each unit
Swakane: A SAFETY ZONE is established around a residence and storage building within pheasant release area. No weapons may be discharged within this zone. WDFW
Chelan Butte: Bighorn sheep released in 2004 are now well established in the area and provide a world class hunting opportunity. Upland game birds using the area include chukar, gray partridge, blue grouse and California quail. WDFW
Entiat: Mule deer is the primary hunting focus on this unit. Upland game birds using the area include chukar, gray partridge, blue grouse and California quail. WDFW
Pateros: All walk-in access is discouraged from Feb. 1 through March 31 to protect wintering mule deer. WDFW
White River: Hunters can find opportunities to harvest black bear and forest grouse on this unit. WDFW
Beebe Springs: There is hunting opportunity on the north end of the unit for quail and chukar and along the Columbia River for waterfowl. WDFW
How many elk and deer are taken in the GMUs around the Chelan Wildlife Area?
WDFW reports harvest by GMU, not by wildlife area. These are the whole GMUs the area lies in:
| GMU | Wildlife area acres in it | Elk taken, 2025 | Deer taken, 2025 | Bears taken, 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GMU 247 Entiat | 18,163 | 2 | 135 | 5 |
| GMU 250 Swakane | 11,020 | 4 | 121 | 4 |
| GMU 239 Chiliwist | 1,223 | 2 | 129 | 13 |
| GMU 245 Chiwawa | 401 | 0 | 76 | 25 |
| GMU 243 Manson | 241 | 0 | 167 | 17 |
Harvest: WDFW Game Harvest Reports (GMU, 2025). Wildlife area acres in each GMU measured by FilledTag from WDFW's boundaries.
How do you get to the Chelan Wildlife Area?
Highways within 5 miles: US 97, US 2, SR 971, SR 150 and SR 153. Nearest towns: Entiat (next to it), Cashmere (next to it), Pateros (next to it) and Chelan (2 miles).
Questions hunters ask
Do you need a pass to park at the Chelan Wildlife Area?
Yes. Parking on WDFW land needs the Vehicle Access Pass that comes with most annual hunting and fishing licenses, or a Discover Pass, displayed where it can be seen from outside the vehicle (WDFW pamphlet, page 72).
Which GMUs is the Chelan Wildlife Area in?
GMU 247 Entiat (18,163 acres), GMU 250 Swakane (11,020 acres), GMU 239 Chiliwist (1,223 acres), GMU 245 Chiwawa (401 acres) and GMU 243 Manson (241 acres), by WDFW's boundaries. Seasons follow each GMU's rules.
Can you camp on the Chelan Wildlife Area?
WDFW's facility data lists no developed campground on the Chelan Wildlife Area. Camping on WDFW land follows WDFW's public conduct rules and any closures posted for the area; check WDFW's page before planning a camp.
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, rules and access notes: WDFW, Chelan Wildlife Area.
- Boundary, units and facilities: WDFW wildlife area and unit boundaries. Surrounding public land: WA DNR Major Public Lands (non-DNR) and WA DNR Managed Land Parcels, read 2026-10.
- GMU harvest: WDFW Game Harvest Reports. Parking passes: WDFW 2026 Big Game Hunting Seasons and Regulations, page 72.
FilledTag is not part of Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Numbers are copied from WDFW and the State of Washington, or measured from their maps; nothing on this page is estimated by FilledTag. WDFW's regulations are the final word on every rule.