Welcome to Chopaka Lake/

Chopaka Mountain Wilderness 

Study Area

Secluded Chopaka Lake lies high in a mountain basin 

near the Canadian border.  The lake’s northern portion 

is within a 5,518-acre Wilderness Study Area (WSA) 

administered by the Bureau of Land Management 

(BLM).  This area is managed to protect its wilderness 

qualities and maintain or enhance wildlife habitat, 

while allowing seasonal livestock grazing and 

supporting various recreational activities.   

Getting There

From Highway 97 at Tonasket, take the LoomisOroville Highway west through Loomis.  Two miles 

past Loomis, turn left onto the Chopaka Mountain 

Road.  Keep to the right and drive the steep grade up 

the mountain.  After 3.5 miles, take the road to the 

right for 2 more miles to reach Chopaka Lake.  The 

BLM camping area is north of the Washington State 

Department of Natural Resources campground.

Geology

The area is in the North-Cascades geomorphic 

province.  It consists of metamorphic rocks (schist 

and gneiss) that were later intruded by granitic rocks.  

The weathering resistance of these relatively harder 

rocks has resulted in the majestic scenery that you 

see at Chopaka Mountain today.  Although the high 

peaks were not covered by glaciers, recent glaciations 

rounded the lower landscape and carved out the places 

where Chopaka and Bowers Lakes currently lie.           

Recreational Activities

Enjoy the solitude of Chopaka Lake and the nearby 

Wilderness Study Area.  Aspen groves and sagebrush 

line the shores, providing a scenic backdrop to 

lakeside activities.  You might even see a mountain 

goat or two, high on the surrounding mountainsides.  

Eight campsites with fire rings and a vault outhouse 

provide camping facilities at the lake.  Try your luck 

fly-fishing for trout, or take a peaceful hike in the 

5,518-acre Wilderness Study Area.  Hike or boat-in 

camping is also allowed in the WSA, but there are no 

developed campsites.    Note that motorized vehicles 

and mechanical transport (e.g. bicycles) are not 

permitted in the WSA.  
 

CHOPAKA MOUNTAIN AREA

Deep in the Okanogan highlands of 

northern Washington hides a jewel of 

a mountain lake...

 Chopaka Mountain WSA/Chopaka Lake

Chopaka Mt.Spokane District

BLM

For more information, contact:

BLM Wenatchee Resource Area

915 Walla Walla

Wenatchee, WA 98801 

Phone 509-665-2100

We hope you enjoy your visit to the 

Chopaka Mountain area.”

Check our website for other recreational 

opportunities and periodic updates: 

www.or.blm.gov/spokane

BLM/OR/WA/GI-05/019-1122

Cultural

The Chopaka area has been a place of importance to 

Native Americans for thousands of years.  Although the 

meaning of Chopaka, likely of Salish language origin, 

is unknown, the area has been the subject of numerous 

traditional stories.  The Okanogan (one of the region’s 

largest Native American tribes) occupied seasonal 

camps, hunted game, and gathered numerous varieties 

of traditional foods.  

By 1859, discovery of gold on the Similkameen River 

enticed many prospectors and miners to the region.  

The mining era ended by 1879, when the area was 

granted to Chief Moses and his people, forming the 

Moses Columbia Reservation.  However, by 1884, 

the Reservation was revoked and opened for mineral 

entry.  Efforts to open the area for mineral entry were 

led in part by Okanogan Smith, a colorful figure in 

the region’s mining history.  The remains of a once 

booming mining industry are still evident on this area’s 

landscape.

Wildflowers

The slopes of 

Chopaka Mountain 

are vibrant with 

colorful wildflowers 

in the spring and 

early summer. 

At these higher 

elevations, the 

wildflower season 

extends into June 

and July, when the 

alpine meadows 

seem carpeted 

with flowers. In 

non-forested areas, 

members of the buckwheat family color sagebrush 

slopes in delicate yellow hues.  Other wildflowers sure 

to catch your attention are the brilliant red, trumpetshaped flowers of scarlet gilia and the cat ear-shaped 

petals of cats-ear mariposa lily. 

While in the forest, look for the bumblebee-pollinated, 

purple monkshood flowers and the bold yellow flowers 

and heart-shaped leaves of heart leaf arnica.  A bit harder 

to find is baneberry, with its many small white flowers 

and shiny red berries.  Remember to bring your camera 

to take photos, not flowers, so the next visitors can enjoy 

the flowers too.

Wildlife

Remote Chopaka Lake and its surrounding hillsides are 

excellent places for viewing wildlife.  Take a hike around 

the lakeshore and the surrounding hillsides, and you 

may hear the song of redwing blackbirds, nesting sage 

thrasher, Brewer’s sparrow, lark sparrow and long-billed 

curlew.  A healthy population of rainbow trout challenges 

flyfishing anglers adrift on the pristine lake waters.  Note 

that special fishing rules apply  (see Washington State 

Department of Fish and Wildlife guidelines). 

Catch a glimpse of bald and golden eagles, and even 

peregrine falcons, high in the sky above the mountain 

cliffs.   You may even see bighorn sheep, mule or whitetailed deer, black bear, moose and mountain goat on your 

visit to Chopaka. 

• State hunting and fishing regulations apply 

 to private lands. 

• Check with private landowners before 

 entering their property.

• Landowners are not required to post or fence 

 their lands.

 

• It is unlawful to trespass on private lands. 

Scarlet Gilia

 Chopaka