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Sunnyside-Snake River Wildlife Area: hunting, units and access

The Sunnyside-Snake River Wildlife Area is 22,002 acres of land managed by WDFW in Region 3, in 15 units, inside GMUs 372, 379, 373 and 381, measured from WDFW's boundary. The busiest elk unit it touches is GMU 372, where WDFW reports 41 elk taken in 2025.

Data updated October 2026. Area facts: WDFW's page for the Sunnyside-Snake River Wildlife Area, read 2026-10-18, and WDFW's facility data. Harvest: WDFW reports to 2025.

Map of WDFW's Sunnyside-Snake River Wildlife Area in Washington, with the public land around it, GMUs 372, 379, 373 and 381, I-182, I-82 and US 12 and Donald, Mesa, Buena and Benton City

BLMDNR state trust landWDFW landNational wildlife refuge (refuge rules; not counted)Bureau of ReclamationMilitary land (restricted)Other public (parks, county, city, other agencies)Sunnyside-Snake River Wildlife AreaGMU lineLake or riverHighway

Sunnyside-Snake River Wildlife Area at a glance
Size22,002 acres (WDFW boundary, measured by FilledTag)
WDFW regionRegion 3, South Central Washington
GMUsGMU 372, GMU 379, GMU 373, GMU 381
Units15
Roads and trails121 miles
Parking areas38
Hunting blinds13 (3 accessible)
Boat ramps6
Nearest townsMesa (next to it), Zillah (next to it) and Benton City (next to it)

What is the Sunnyside-Snake River Wildlife Area like?

The Sunnyside-Snake River Wildlife Area covers approximately 21,500 acres located in Franklin, Benton, and Yakima counties. Acquisitions began in the late 1940s to protect and enhance habitat and provide public recreation. Some of the lands also help meet mitigation goals for Bonneville Power Administration and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers construction projects to address habitat losses for a variety of wildlife species. Some of the management units are owned by the Bureau of Reclamation, but are managed as part of the wildlife area.

In WDFW's words, from WDFW's Sunnyside-Snake River Wildlife Area page.

What units make up the Sunnyside-Snake River Wildlife Area?

WDFW manages the area as 15 units. The largest is Bailie at 3,927 acres.

UnitAcresGMUsParking areasCampgroundsHunting blinds
Bailie3,927379204
Rattlesnake Slope3,592372100
Sunnyside2,879372, 373604
Thornton2,114372200
Thompson Seeps1,808379100
Windmill Ranch1,767379202
Esquatzel Coulee1,677381200
I-82 Ponds1,1883721100
Byron1,007373200
Mesa Lake720379203
Hope Valley508379200
Vance-Ferry Road159373100
Glover51372100
Whitstran40372100
Benton City20372200

Unit outlines and facilities: WDFW wildlife area and unit boundaries. Acres measured by FilledTag.

WDFW's notes for each unit

Bailie: Access is only allowed from 2 parking lots. There is a 5 vehicle limit for each parking lot. All visitors must register on site when arriving, and report their activity before leaving. WDFW

Rattlesnake Slope: Chukar, deer, and elk are the most likely species to be hunted. WDFW

Sunnyside: A Game Reserve is established on this unit (WAC 220-411-190). Game Reserves are CLOSED AREAS where hunting and trapping for all wild animals and wild birds is prohibited (RCW 77.12.047). WDFW

Thornton: The unit is a popular hunting area for deer and is one of the best units of the Sunnyside-Snake River Wildlife Area for the public to hunt elk. WDFW

Thompson Seeps: Upland bird, small game, deer and waterfowl hunting occur on the unit. WDFW

Windmill Ranch: 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

Esquatzel Coulee: This unit is popular for upland and small game hunting. Hunters will find deer, Eurasian collared dove, mourning dove, quail, and pheasant. WDFW

I-82 Ponds: This unit offers opportunities to hunt deer, waterfowl, Eurasian collared dove, mourning dove, quail, pheasant, and small game. WDFW

How many elk and deer are taken in the GMUs around the Sunnyside-Snake River Wildlife Area?

WDFW reports harvest by GMU, not by wildlife area. These are the whole GMUs the area lies in:

GMUWildlife area acres in itElk taken, 2025Deer taken, 2025Bears taken, 2025
GMU 372 Rattlesnake Hills9,73541310
GMU 379 Ringold8,73022690
GMU 373 Horse Heaven1,72201460
GMU 381 Kahlotus1,677274130

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 Sunnyside-Snake River Wildlife Area?

Highways within 5 miles: I-82, US 12, US 395, US 97 and SR 22. Nearest towns: Mesa (next to it), Zillah (next to it), Benton City (next to it) and Mabton (next to it).

Questions hunters ask

Do you need a pass to park at the Sunnyside-Snake River 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 Sunnyside-Snake River Wildlife Area in?

GMU 372 Rattlesnake Hills (9,735 acres), GMU 379 Ringold (8,730 acres), GMU 373 Horse Heaven (1,722 acres) and GMU 381 Kahlotus (1,677 acres), by WDFW's boundaries. Seasons follow each GMU's rules.

Can you camp on the Sunnyside-Snake River Wildlife Area?

WDFW's facility data lists no developed campground on the Sunnyside-Snake River 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

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 3 GMU 372 elk GMU 379 elk GMU 381 elk