Sinlahekin Wildlife Area: hunting, units and access
The Sinlahekin Wildlife Area is 23,063 acres of land managed by WDFW in Region 2, in 7 units, inside GMUs 215, 239, 233, 209 and 204, measured from WDFW's boundary. Of the GMUs it touches, WDFW reports the most deer taken in GMU 215: 219 in 2025.
Data updated October 2026. Area facts: WDFW's page for the Sinlahekin 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)Bureau of ReclamationOther public (parks, county, city, other agencies)Sinlahekin Wildlife AreaGMU lineLake or riverHighway
| Size | 23,063 acres (WDFW boundary, measured by FilledTag) |
|---|---|
| WDFW region | Region 2, North Central Washington |
| GMUs | GMU 215, GMU 239, GMU 233, GMU 209, GMU 204 |
| Units | 7 |
| Roads and trails | 96 miles |
| Parking areas | 22 |
| Campgrounds | 11 |
| Boat ramps | 6 |
| Nearest towns | Oroville (2 mi), Tonasket (3 mi) and Conconully (3 mi) |
What is the Sinlahekin Wildlife Area like?
The Sinlahekin Wildlife Area includes approximately 22,500 acres in central Okanogan County. Elevation ranges from 928 feet on the Driscoll-Eyhott Island Unit to over 4,000 feet on the Sinlahekin Unit, which comprises most of the wildlife area. Dominant habitat types are shrubsteppe, wetland, and dry forest, which support a range of different wildlife throughout the year, including over 215 species of birds, 60 mammals, about 20 reptiles and amphibians, over 25 fish, and over 90 butterfly species. There is also a range of wildflowers that grow on the wildlife area.
In WDFW's words, from WDFW's Sinlahekin Wildlife Area page.
What units make up the Sinlahekin Wildlife Area?
WDFW manages the area as 7 units. The largest is Sinlahekin at 13,148 acres.
| Unit | Acres | GMUs | Parking areas | Campgrounds | Hunting blinds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sinlahekin | 13,148 | 204, 215, 233 | 14 | 11 | 0 |
| Chiliwist | 4,855 | 239 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Carter Mountain | 1,973 | 215 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Horse Spring Coulee | 848 | 209 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Buzzard Lake | 835 | 233 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| McLoughlin Falls | 516 | 204, 215 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driscoll Island | 415 | 204, 209 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Unit outlines and facilities: WDFW wildlife area and unit boundaries. Acres measured by FilledTag.
WDFW's notes for each unit
Sinlahekin: Mule deer, bighorn sheep, moose, black bear, cougar, waterfowl, wild turkey, and forest grouse contribute to the popularity of hunting on this unit. WDFW
Chiliwist: In addition to a healthy mule deer population, the Chiliwist Unit also provides habitat for white-tailed deer, black bears, migratory birds, cougars, badgers, and coyotes. Upland gamebird hunting is a popular activity on the wildlife area, where forest grouse, Hungarian partridge, chukar, quail, and turkey can be found. The area is a release site for ring-necked pheasant. WDFW
Carter Mountain: Lands surrounding the unit are predominantly private. Please have good maps on hand and respect private property. WDFW
Horse Spring Coulee: Mule deer are the primary hunting opportunity on this unit. WDFW
Buzzard Lake: Consult Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife hunting regulations for seasons and dates. WDFW
McLoughlin Falls: Mule deer are the primary hunting opportunity on this unit. WDFW
Driscoll Island: It is unlawful to possess shot (either in shotshells or as loose shot for muzzleloading) other than nontoxic shot for any purpose on this unit (WAC 220-414-040). WDFW
How many elk and deer are taken in the GMUs around the Sinlahekin 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 215 Sinlahekin | 13,692 | 0 | 219 | 19 |
| GMU 239 Chiliwist | 4,855 | 2 | 129 | 13 |
| GMU 233 Pogue | 2,584 | 2 | 150 | 6 |
| GMU 209 Wannacut | 1,680 | 2 | 130 | 5 |
| GMU 204 Okanogan East | 253 | 35 | 780 | 42 |
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 Sinlahekin Wildlife Area?
Highways within 5 miles: US 97 and SR 20. Nearest towns: Oroville (2 miles), Tonasket (3 miles), Conconully (3 miles) and Riverside (5 miles).
Questions hunters ask
Do you need a pass to park at the Sinlahekin 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 Sinlahekin Wildlife Area in?
GMU 215 Sinlahekin (13,692 acres), GMU 239 Chiliwist (4,855 acres), GMU 233 Pogue (2,584 acres), GMU 209 Wannacut (1,680 acres) and GMU 204 Okanogan East (253 acres), by WDFW's boundaries. Seasons follow each GMU's rules.
Can you camp on the Sinlahekin Wildlife Area?
WDFW's facility data lists 11 campgrounds on the Sinlahekin Wildlife Area. Follow the posted rules and WDFW's public conduct rules.
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, rules and access notes: WDFW, Sinlahekin 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.
Washington hunting Region 2 GMU 215 elk GMU 239 elk GMU 233 elk GMU 204 elk