Open year-round · Established 1908

Where the wild still whispers.

740,000 acres of ancient forest, alpine ridges, and untouched rivers in the heart of the Cascade interior. Slow your pulse. Listen for the elk. Stay a while.

Discover Experiences Watch the Park

48°34′N · 121°08′W Elevation 6,440 ft Sunrise 5:42 · Sunset 20:14

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Since 1908 Protected wilderness

Our Story

A century of stewardship, a lifetime of wonder.

Verdantia was set aside in 1908 by a coalition of foresters, indigenous tribes, and quiet-handed dreamers who believed some places must remain untamed. Today we steward 740,000 acres alongside the Salish Confederacy, balancing conservation with public access.

Whether you arrive for a single sunrise on Mirror Ridge or stay a week tracing the Old Cedar Loop, our rangers are here to help you walk softly and look closely.

Eleanor Wren Park Director

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Experiences

Choose your way into the wild.

Four signature ways to meet the park. Each is led by a certified ranger-guide, with small group sizes and seasonal availability. Booking opens 90 days in advance.

01 / Day Hike Half day

Mirror Ridge at dawn

Climb the eastern shoulder before sunrise to watch the alpenglow ignite the lake. 4.6 miles round-trip, moderate.

02 / Backcountry 3 nights

Old Cedar Loop

Three days deep, tracing the ancient grove and crossing two glacial rivers. Includes permits, gear, and a ranger guide.

03 / Wildlife Sunrise

Elk meadow watch

A quiet, hushed dawn in the south meadows. Spotting scopes provided. Often: bull elk, coyote, sandhill cranes.

04 / Stargazing Night

Dark Sky Reserve

Verdantia is a certified Dark Sky Reserve. Join an astronomer at the high-meadow observatory under the Milky Way.

Signature Trails

Three paths, one unforgettable park.

Hand-picked by our rangers — each trail is a portrait of a different Verdantia. Scroll to walk them.

Easy Family-friendly

Trail №01 — Lowland forest

The Old Cedar Cathedral

A flat, mossy boardwalk through an 800-year-old cedar grove. Light filters down in green columns. The quietest trail in the park, and our most beloved.

2.4 miLoop

120 ftElevation

1.5 hrAvg. time

Reserve a guide

Moderate Best at sunrise

Trail №02 — Alpine ridge

Mirror Ridge Traverse

A four-mile climb to the spine of the eastern range. The reward: a 270° panorama of glaciers, three lakes, and (on clear days) the distant ocean.

4.6 miRound-trip

1,840 ftElevation

4 hrAvg. time

Reserve a guide

Strenuous Permits required

Trail №03 — Backcountry

The Wren River Crossing

Three days, two glacial fords, and one of the last unrestricted backcountry corridors in the lower 48. Solitude guaranteed; only ten permits issued per week.

22 miThrough-hike

4,200 ftElevation

3 daysAvg. time

Reserve a guide

Inhabitants

The locals who were here first.

A small selection of the 1,180 documented species who call Verdantia home. Hover to meet them.

Roosevelt Elk

Cervus canadensis roosevelti

Largest elk subspecies in North America. Best seen at dawn in the south meadows, September through November.

Red Fox

Vulpes vulpes

Cunning and curious. Often spotted near the visitor centre at dusk.

Bald Eagle

Haliaeetus leucocephalus

Nine breeding pairs nest along the Wren River corridor.

American Black Bear

Ursus americanus

An estimated 340 individuals roam the park. Berry season brings them to mid-elevation slopes.

Great Horned Owl

Bubo virginianus

Listen at dusk. Their call carries up to four miles.

Chinook Salmon

Oncorhynchus tshawytscha

The fall run on the Wren River is one of the best-preserved in the Pacific Northwest.

Mountain Goat

Oreamnos americanus

Dwellers of the high cliffs. Look for them above 5,000 feet on Mirror Ridge.

Alpine Lupine

Lupinus latifolius

Carpet the high meadows in violet from late June into August.

In three days at Verdantia I heard maybe a dozen voices, and a thousand birds. I came back rearranged.

Mara Lindqvist Visitor · 2025

Plan a Visit

Let's meet you at the trailhead.

Tell us when you're coming and what kind of trip you're imagining. A ranger usually replies within 24 hours, often with notes on weather, wildlife, and a quieter alternative route.

Visitor Centre Mile 14, Highway 47 Wren Valley, Pacific Northwest, USA

Reservations & Info +1 (360) 555–7488 Daily, 7:00 — 19:00 PT

Email a Ranger [email protected] For permits, group tours, and accessibility

Park Hours Open 24 hours, year-round Visitor Centre: 7:30 — 18:00 daily