This public land unit is comprised of Wenatchee National Forest, state land, and Oak Creek Wildlife Area, and is located between the Tieton and Naches Rivers, just outside the small farming communities in the Upper Naches Valley. Bethel Ridge Rd serves as the western and northern boundary, winding its way over the steep Bethel Ridge. Overall, this GMU has elevation changes over 4,000-ft. However, this is a bit deceiving as the bulk of the unit is fairly mild, rolling terrain in the form of drainages and rolling, open hills. North faces are heavily timbered with mature canopies and represent the largest prime habitat without a road. The more open southern faces are sparsely timbered to open rangeland, transitioning to scabland as you move east up to the river’s edge.

Hunters will have best hunting experience away from the roads.

The unit has some big glassable country with a decent road system allowing hunters to access the entire unit and glass from highpoints. North faces are heavily timbered and open up into a nice mix of meadows, creek bottoms, and broken to open south facing slopes. This country was made for glassing up game at dawn and dusk. As you move east, the country transitions to open rangeland and rolling hills to the breaks along the river’s edge.

There is a lot of public land with little road access. Bumping Lake offers road access deep into the unit. From there, there are just a few roads and trailheads where you can start your day or overnight trip.

Small ridgelines with thick, wooded north slopes hold ponderosa pine, douglas fir and grand fir. A good chunk of the unit consists of broken to open rangeland with warm and cool season bunch grasses, sagebrush, and buckbrush. Non-native invasive grass is also prevalent in the eastern portion. Naches and Tieton are comprised of arid riparian system of scattered trees, bushes, reed grass, and forbs along the ever-changing river bank.

Primitive camping in the National Forest is allowed most of the year, but various fire bans and forest road closures may happen, so double check any restrictions or permits necessary prior to your trip. There are also camping spots available at Bumping Lake. If you prefer lodging accommodations and being closer to gas stations, restaurants, and a grocery store, your best options will be in the towns of Naches and Selah.