Selah Cliffs Preserve Trail

Parking is available near the trailhead. Please note that a Discover Pass is required for parking at the Selah Cliffs Natural Area Preserve. You can find more information about the Discover Pass on the wa.gov website.

A Discover Pass is required for parking at the Selah Cliffs Natural Area Preserve. This pass supports the maintenance of state recreation lands. There are no other specific hiking permits needed for the trail itself.

No, dogs are not permitted in the Selah Cliffs Natural Area Preserve to protect the sensitive wildlife and botanical inhabitants. Please plan accordingly.

The trail is often snow and ice-free even during colder months, making it accessible year-round. However, for blooming wildflowers like the basalt daisy, late spring to early summer (May through October, peaking in June) is ideal. Be mindful of heat during arid summer months.

The first half-mile near the parking area is an improved, ADA-accessible crushed gravel interpretive loop. Beyond this, the trail transitions to an old two-track pathway that continues east. While much of it is graveled, some sections further east, past a barbed-wire gate, require more 'clambering' and are rougher.

Yes, the trail is generally considered easy to moderate. The initial half-mile is an ADA-accessible crushed gravel loop, which is perfect for beginners and families. The full out-and-back route is also manageable for most, though sections further east become a bit rougher.

The full out-and-back route, which is approximately 1.87 kilometers (1.16 miles) one way, typically takes around 30 minutes to complete each way, totaling about an hour for the round trip, depending on your pace and how much time you spend enjoying the views.

You'll be treated to spectacular views of large basalt cliffs, which are crucial nesting sites for raptors like prairie falcons and red-tailed hawks. The preserve features shrub-steppe habitat with sagebrush and native bunchgrasses, offering glimpses of songbirds and small mammals. Expansive views down the Selah Creek Canyon and distant vistas of Mt. Cleman and Mount Rainier are also possible.

Absolutely! The preserve was established to protect the largest known population of the basalt daisy, a state-listed threatened species that blooms from May through October, peaking in June. Binoculars are recommended to view them high on the cliff faces. You can also see colorful lichens on the basalt cliffs and other flora like purple sage and desert parsleys when in bloom. The basalt flows themselves are part of the longest known lava flow on Earth.

No, there are no restrooms or water available at the trailhead or within the preserve. It's advisable to plan accordingly and bring your own water.

Given the arid environment, hikers should take precautions against ticks, rattlesnakes, and heat, especially during warmer months. Always carry enough water and be mindful of your surroundings.

The trail begins with an ADA-accessible crushed gravel interpretive loop near the parking area. Beyond this, the main trail continues as an old two-track pathway for an additional two miles out-and-back, heading east into the preserve. So, it's a combination of a short loop and an out-and-back section.