Bird of the Week | Hooded Merganser
The Hooded Merganser is an eye-catching duck though many of us don't know what species it is when we see one. Read More
Backyard Photo Tips + Cute Animals
We know you're all cooped up in your houses right now without much more to look at besides your own four walls and backyard—so we thought this week... Read More
Bird of the Week | Mountain Bluebird
They're back! Mountain bluebirds: those easy to spot, bright cerulean blue, but nearly silent song birds. Read More
Hike of the Week | Island Park Trail | 2020
Looking Forward to Spring! Created by a 12th grade English class at the local high school, this small gem is located just south of First Avenue... Read More
Bird of the Week | Bohemian Waxwing | 2020
Well, winter is transitioning to spring so I thought we should look at one of our transitional birds - the Bohemian Waxwing. Read More
Let's Get Ice Skating! | Winter Recreation
Winthrop Rink, named one of the top 10 ice rinks in the West by Sunset Magazine, is one of the few NHL-sized, refrigerated, open air ice skating... Read More
Bird of the Week | American Dipper
The American Dipper, also known by the much cooler name "water ouzel" looks like a boring, plump, dull gray bird that you could easily ignore, but... Read More
Bird of the Week | Canada Jay
The Canada Jay, also known as the Gray Jay, is a member of the "Corvid" family of birds... Read More
Let's Get Snowshoeing! | Winter Recreation
The snow may be here now, but that doesn't mean the fun has to stop! Okanogan Country is full of winter recreation options, and this week we... Read More
Bird of the Week | Gray Partridge
The Gray Partridge (Perdix perdix) is also known as the Hungarian Partridge, or around these parts, especially for game bird hunters, simply... Read More
Upcoming Winter Events
If you're interested in adventure, learn more about what Okanogan Country has to offer! Click on the information below to find out more about... Read More
Happy Thanksgiving from Okanogan Country!
If you're like most of us here in Okanogan Country, you're out somewhere on a trail, walking under an open sky, or cuddled up next to a wood stove... Read More
Bird of the Week | Spotted Towhee
It's that time of year when we are starting to see fewer birds. The long-distance migratory birds like our warblers are long gone, and many species... Read More
Hike of the Week | Island Park Trail
Created by a 12th grade English class at the local high school, this small gem is located just south of First Avenue in the city... Read More
Bird of the Week | Varied Thrush
"The Varied Thrush is a gorgeous bird with a simple single note for a song. It is closely related to the American Robin and other thrushes who are... Read More
Scotch Creek Wildlife Area
The Scotch Creek Unit is a major recreation area for deer hunting in the fall; hiking, biking and horseback riding are among other recreation... Read More
Bird of the Week | White-headed Woodpecker
The White-headed Woodpecker is one of my personal favorite birds of our Ponderosa Pine forests. These woodpeckers are not especially abundant... Read More
Hike of the Week | Rainy Lake Trail
With its first sprinkle of snow and larches in full flame, Rainy Lake is an easy hike in a spectacular setting... Read More
Bird of the Week | Sandhill Crane
Okanogan County is fortunate to be one of the few places in Washington where one can regularly see - and hear- Sandhill Cranes each spring and fall... Read More
Big Bend Wildlife Area
The Big Bend Wildlife Area presents a dramatic landscape sculpted 15,000 to 12,000 years ago by the Okanogan Lobe of the Cordilleran Ice Sheet... Read More
Bird of the Week | Dusky Grouse
Grouse hunting season opened Sept 1 in Washington, and while I'm not a hunter I do think about Dusky Grouse a fair bit this time of year as the... Read More
Hike of the Week | Tiffany Mountain
At 8242' elevation with a gain of 1740', Tiffany mountain is one of the highest summits in the Cascades... Read More
Golden Doe Wildlife Area
The Golden Doe Wildlife Area was acquired for mule deer winter range and the biodiversity of its large riparian areas on the Methow River... Read More
Bird of the Week | Evening Grosbeak
Lately, I've begun hearing the strung-together, jumbled, high and sweet call notes of the Evening Grosbeak... Read More
Bird of the Week | Cedar Waxwing
Cedar waxwings only make a thin high-pitched call, but they are dramatic looking birds, and they often move in... Read More
Similkameen-Chopaka Wildlife Area
The Similkameen-Chopaka Wildlife Area is situated at the bottom of the Similkameen Valley. It offers... Read More
Bird of the Week | Spotted Sandpiper
Spotted Sandpipers are "shorebirds" that are common just about all over Washington. Here in Okanogan County... Read More
Hike of the Week | Lookout Mountain Trail, Twisp WA
The Lookout Mountain Trail starts with moderately steep terrain in a lush forest a mile in, you will be rewarded... Read More
Bird of the Week | Ruddy Duck
With a cinnamon body and bright blue bill, the male Ruddy Duck is one of our most noticeable... Read More
Cassimer Bay Wildlife Area
Cassimer Bar filled with wildlife. Search the wetlands for beaver, amphibians and double-crested cormorants... Read More
Bird of the Week | House Wren
The House Wren, a common, native bird all over the United States, is a small bird with a big voice that readily inhabits natural tree cavities and ... Read More
Hike of the Week | Whistler Canyon Trail, Oroville Wa
A scenic network of multi-use trails, Whistler Canyon provides an endless range of options for exploration, birding, rock climbing, horseback riding.. Read More
Bird of the Week | Red-Naped Sapsucker
Sapsuckers are woodpeckers but instead of pecking into and excavating wood in search of insects, they drill small holes in trees in order to make... Read More
Hike of the Week | Cold Spring Chopaka Mountain Trail in Loomis
The Cold Springs trailhead is at over 6000’ so dress for the weather you are going to encounter and not the weather at the valley bottom... Read More
Rufous Hummingbird | Bird of the Week
The Rufous Hummingbird is one of three hummingbirds that breed in Okanogan County. The other two are the Calliope and the Black-Chinned... Read More
Hike of the Week | Clackamas Mountain Trail
This trail provides an excellent introduction to the kind of old growth forest that once dominated this region of the Pacific Northwest. Read More
Bird of the Week | Western Tanager
The Western Tanager is one of our most common forest birds in Eastern Washington, and with a yellow body and red head (on the male) you'd think they'd Read More
Sinlahekin Wildlife Area
The Sinlahekin Wildlife Area is located within the Sinlahekin Valley. It offers a variety of fishing and recreational opportunities thanks to natural Read More
Bird of the Week | Birdwatching in Washington State | American Goldfinch
Introducing the official state bird of Washington, and this week's Bird of the Week. Can you guess what it might be? Read More
Bird of the Week | Birdwatching in Washington State | Northern Flicker
Welcome this week's BIRD OF THE WEEK! A winter woodpecker spotted high above the snowline! Read More
Bird of the Week | Birdwatching in Washington State | Red-Winged Blackbird
Bird of the Week! The Red-Winged Blackbird! Spotted in Okanogan Country Read More
Bird of the Week | Birdwatching in Washington State | Say's Phoebe
Can you spot where this one was found? The arrival of the Say's Phoebe is one of our first signs of spring here in Okanogan Country! Read More
Bird of the Week | Birdwatching in Washington State | Western Meadowlark
Spring is in the air! Read More
Find Dark Skies and Deep Quiet
Light and noise pollution are all around us, even when we don’t realize it. But there are places to escape them. Read More
Bird of the Week | Birdwatching in Washington | Rough-Legged Hawk
Okanogan Country Bird of the weekWinter birding in Okanogan country
Read More
Bird of the Week | Birdwatching in Washington State | Bluebird
A bluebird for those bluebird skies! Learn more about the bird of the week brought to you by OCTC! Read More
Bird of the Week | Birdwatching in Washington | Bohemian Waxwing
Spotted South of Spectacle Lake in Loomis, Washington Bohemian Waxwing
Read More
Bird of the Week | Birdwatching in Washington | Lesser Scaup
Introducing the Bird of the Week, brought to you by OCTC! Read More
Hike of the Week | Sinlahekin & Blue Lake Natural Area
Hike of the Week | Sinlahekin & Blue Lake Natural Area Read More
Hiking Guide
Our Hiking Guide provides detailed information on many different hikes including how many miles the hike will be, with dog friendly options, and more! Read More