Walker Valley ORV Area
Walker Valley ORV ParkDifficulty:
More to Most Difficult
Writeup by Mark Cabral
Open year round, this area has between 15 and 20 miles of short but technically challenging jeep trails that can easily keep you entertained all day.
Walker Valley has gone through considerable changes over the last two years thanks to a combination of logging operations and EPA regulations that forced DNR to reroute trails away from streams and sensitive areas. But, with the help of some local 4x4 and motorcycle clubs, the “Valley” is once again a fun and challenging place to take your 4x4. Well defined trails with signs make finding your way around much easier than before and DNR has even published an updated map with all the trails clearly marked for the appropriate vehicle; 4x4, quad, or motorcycle, available for your viewing pleasure right here on our site.
The fun starts at the trail entrance which is about a ¼ mile southeast of the parking area on Walker Valley Mainline (Peter Burns Rd) where you take a sharp left and proceed up a steep gravel climb to the Rock Pit. If you manage to successfully negotiate that then you should do ok with the rest of the trails but no guarantees. By the way, I personally have seen at least one u-joint break and a driveshaft bend on this climb so make sure your rig is up to speed.
Keep in mind also, as usually happens with popular trails, as tires get bigger and more aggressive the holes get deeper and muddier in a never ending, constantly changing environment that either frustrates you or delights you, depending on your perspective. Walker Valley is no exception so even if you’ve been there recently you will find the trails different and probably more difficult than the last time you were there.
Recommendations: Short wheelbase rigs with 33”-36” tires seem to do ok here but because of the narrow spots between trees, and switchbacks that require even a Sammy to make a three point turn, a full size vehicle will not have any fun at all, assuming that it could negotiate the initial hill climb in the first place. Now please, if you’re a full size owner, don’t take this as a challenge and try to prove me wrong as all you’ll accomplish is damage to your vehicle, a lengthy recovery effort and a lot of irritated drivers. Just accept the fact that there are places where you can wheel a big rig and some places you can’t – Walker Valley is best left to the smaller rigs. Our most recent foray into Walker included a Jeep Unlimited with a 4” lift and 33” tires and he suffered body damage due to the tight turns and deep ruts.
That being said, I’m going to rate Walker Valley “Most Difficult” as even our rigs with 5”+ lift, 35” tires and lockers at both ends had to break out the winch cable once or twice. It should also be noted that many of the roads in the area (not the 4x4 trails) have gates on them. Do not assume because the gate is closed that it is locked. If you need to exit the area and don't want to do so by the 4x4 trails then make sure you test the gate before you turn around looking for another way out.
Getting There:
Walker Valley is located 7 miles SE of Mt Vernon off highway 9 in the Big Lake neighborhood, the road to Walker Valley ORV Park is well marked and easy to find. From I-5, take exit 221. Go east on SR 534 for 5 miles and turn left onto SR 9. Drive north for 6 miles (milepost 46) and turn right onto Walker Valley Road. Go 2 miles and turn right onto Peter Burns Rd (a one-lane gravel road). After about 1 mile you will see the staging area on your right. Alternately you can take SR 538 from Mount Vernon to Hwy 9 and follow Hwy 9, 4 miles south to the Walker Valley Road.
Get directions from your location with Google Maps
Walker Valley ORV Park Map (3.71mb)
Shows ATV, motorcycle and 4x4 trails in PDF format, Provided by Washington State DNR
Video from our Walker Valley Run (2 min, Broadband only as this is a big file, 14.1mb)
Camping:
