Columbia Cascades

Wilderness

The Wilderness Act of 1964 defined Wilderness as:

• A place that is not controlled by humans, where natural ecological processes operate freely and where its primeval character and influences are retained.
• A place that is not occupied or modified by mankind, where humans are visitors, and the imprint of their activity is largely unnoticeable.
• A place with outstanding opportunities for the solitude necessary for a primitive and unconfined recreation experience.

There are four Wilderness Areas in parks of the Columbia Cascades Cluster. Wilderness in Craters of the Moon National Monument was among the first Wilderness Areas in the National Park System. The Washington Wilderness Act of 1988 designated Wilderness Areas in Mount Rainier, North Cascades, and Olympic National Parks.

Wilderness Areas can only be designated by Congress. Part of Crater Lake National Park has been recommended for designation as wilderness. Although not yet designated, it is National Park Service policy to manage recommended wilderness in the same way as we manage wilderness.

Wilderness in the National Park System is managed in accordance with the Wilderness Act of 1964, as well as the Organic Act of the National Park Service and other relevant legislation such as the Archeological Resource Protection Act and the Endangered Species Act. Our wilderness management policies are elaborated upon in the "Wilderness Management" section of National Park Service Management Policies. In addition, each park has specific policies and regulations based on factors such as its unique environment and its use patterns, such as whether most use is on a trail system or cross-country.

Some policies and regulations differ in Wilderness Areas managed by other agencies. We suggest you visit Wilderness Areas in National Forests of the Pacific Northwest.

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