Aeneas Valley sits in the Okanogan Highlands of north-central Washington, a landscape of open pine forests, sagebrush benches, and cold-water lakes fed by snowmelt. The valley stretches along Aeneas Valley Road southeast of Tonasket, connecting a string of fishable lakes, public hunting land, and trailheads into the Colville National Forest. This is not a resort destination. It is working ranchland and public wildland where recreation happens on nature's terms: gravel boat launches, vault toilets, dispersed campsites, and trails that start where the pavement ends.
Fishing
Aeneas Lake is the signature fishery. At 52.6 acres and 1,360 feet elevation, it sits in a shallow basin surrounded by meadow and scattered ponderosa pine. The lake is fly-fishing only with no internal combustion motors permitted. Brown trout, tiger trout (a brook-brown hybrid), and rainbow trout all inhabit the lake, with fish regularly reaching 14 to 18 inches. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) maintains a public access site on the northwest shore with a gravel boat launch, vault toilets, and several primitive campsites.
The general lowland lake season opens the fourth Saturday of April. Aeneas Lake fishes best from a pontoon boat, rowboat, or float tube, as shore access is limited by marshy banks. Callibaetis mayfly hatches in late spring and early summer draw consistent surface feeding. Chironomid patterns fished under an indicator produce well in the early season before hatches begin.
Four other lakes within driving distance round out the angling options:
| Lake | Size | Species | Access Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aeneas Lake | 52.6 acres | Brown trout, tiger trout, rainbow trout | Fly fishing only, no motors. WDFW access site with boat launch, campsites, vault toilets. |
| Round Lake | ~30 acres | Rainbow trout (11-12 in. average) | Popular opening-day lake. WDFW access. Stocked annually. |
| Long Lake | ~15 acres | Rainbow trout (10-11 in. yearlings) | Stocked yearling rainbows. Good shore fishing. |
| Ell Lake | ~10 acres | Rainbow trout | 12 miles SE of Tonasket on Aeneas Valley Road. Smaller, quieter water. |
| Lyman Lake | ~20 acres | Rainbow trout | Dispersed camping nearby. Suitable for small boats and canoes. |
A valid Washington freshwater fishing license is required for all anglers 15 years and older. Licenses are available online through the WDFW website or at sporting goods retailers in Tonasket and Okanogan. Check the current WDFW regulations pamphlet for lake-specific rules, catch limits, and gear restrictions before heading out.
Hunting
Okanogan County is premier hunting territory in Washington state, and Aeneas Valley sits at the center of it. More than 300,000 acres of publicly owned land in the county are open to hunting, including Bureau of Land Management tracts, Washington Department of Natural Resources parcels, WDFW wildlife areas, and Colville National Forest. The mix of shrub-steppe, mixed conifer forest, and alpine meadow supports a wide range of game species.
Big game species in the area include mule deer, white-tailed deer, black bear, Rocky Mountain elk, moose, bighorn sheep, mountain goat, and cougar. Mule deer are the most commonly pursued species, with healthy populations across the sagebrush hills and open pine forests surrounding the valley. Elk herds move through the higher elevations of the Colville National Forest, particularly in the fall. Moose and bighorn sheep require special permits awarded through WDFW's lottery draw system.
Small game and upland bird hunting are equally productive. Wild turkey, ruffed grouse, blue grouse, chukar partridge, and cottontail rabbit all inhabit the surrounding terrain. Turkey hunting in the spring is popular on the edges of national forest and private ranchland (with permission). Grouse hunting in September and October combines well with early fall hiking.
The area falls within several WDFW Game Management Units (GMUs), each with specific season dates, bag limits, and weapon restrictions. Hunters must carry a valid Washington hunting license and appropriate species tags. Review the current WDFW Big Game Hunting Seasons and Rules pamphlet before each season. Hunter education certification is required for first-time license buyers.
Hiking and Trails
The Colville National Forest, managed through the Tonasket Ranger District, offers over 180 miles of maintained trails in the highlands east and north of Aeneas Valley. Trail conditions range from gentle forest paths to ridgeline scrambles with panoramic views of the Okanogan, Cascade foothills, and Canadian Rockies on clear days.
The most accessible major trailhead is at Bonaparte Lake, reached by driving 24 miles east on State Route 20 from Tonasket, then 6 miles north on County Road 4953. From there, trails lead to the summit of Mount Bonaparte at 7,258 feet, the highest point in Okanogan County. The fire lookout at the summit, staffed seasonally, provides a 360-degree view across the highlands. The hike is approximately 10 miles round trip with 3,200 feet of elevation gain.
Other notable trail destinations include the Horseshoe Basin area in the Pasayten Wilderness (northwest of the valley), which offers alpine meadow hiking above treeline from July through September. Closer to home, forest roads and old logging tracks throughout the national forest and BLM land provide informal hiking and mountain biking routes with minimal traffic.
No Discover Pass is required on federal land (National Forest or BLM). A Northwest Forest Pass is required for some developed trailheads. Check the Tonasket Ranger District office for current trail conditions and fire closures, especially from July through September.
Camping
Camping options around Aeneas Valley range from developed campgrounds to unrestricted dispersed sites on public land. The WDFW access site at Aeneas Lake offers several first-come, first-served primitive campsites with vault toilets and lake access. There are no hookups, no potable water, and no fees. Sites fill on opening weekend of fishing season and on summer holiday weekends, but midweek camping is rarely an issue.
Bonaparte Lake Campground, operated by the U.S. Forest Service, is the nearest developed option with 28 sites, picnic tables, fire rings, vault toilets, and a boat launch. It sits at 3,600 feet elevation in a mixed conifer forest on the lakeshore. Sites are first-come, first-served with a modest nightly fee.
Dispersed camping is permitted throughout the Colville National Forest and on most BLM land in the area. No reservation, no fee, and no permit required. Standard federal dispersed camping rules apply: camp at least 200 feet from water, use existing fire rings where available, pack out all trash, and observe any posted fire restrictions. Many forest roads off Aeneas Valley Road and along the Bonaparte corridor lead to established dispersed sites with fire rings from previous visitors.
Winter Activities
Winter transforms the Okanogan Highlands into a snow-covered landscape that supports quiet, non-motorized recreation and groomed snowmobile routes alike. Snowfall in the upper elevations typically arrives by mid-November and persists through March or early April.
The 20 Peaks Nordic Area near Havillah, roughly 20 miles east of Aeneas Valley, offers groomed cross-country ski trails through rolling terrain at approximately 4,000 feet elevation. The trails are maintained by local volunteers and range from beginner loops to longer backcountry routes. Snowshoeing is permitted on all trails. A Sno-Park permit is required for parking at the trailhead from November 1 through March 31.
Snowmobiling is popular on designated routes through the Colville National Forest. The Okanogan County Snowmobile Advisory Committee and local clubs maintain groomed corridors that connect multiple staging areas. Check the Washington State Parks winter recreation map for current groomed routes and Sno-Park locations.
Ice fishing is possible on some valley lakes in cold winters when ice thickness reaches safe levels (minimum 4 inches of clear ice for foot traffic). Aeneas Lake and Lyman Lake both freeze over in most years. Always test ice thickness before venturing out, and never ice fish alone.
Nearby Attractions
The Sinlahekin Wildlife Area, managed by WDFW, lies northwest of Aeneas Valley between the Sinlahekin and Chopaka Creek drainages. Established in 1939, it is Washington's oldest wildlife area, covering 22,500 acres of shrub-steppe, riparian corridor, and grassland. Over 215 bird species have been documented within its boundaries, including Lewis's woodpecker, long-billed curlew, and sharp-tailed grouse. A herd of California bighorn sheep roams the rocky slopes above Sinlahekin Creek. A Discover Pass is required for vehicle access.
Bonaparte Lake, 30 miles east of Tonasket via SR 20 and CR 4953, is a 150-acre mountain lake at 3,600 feet stocked with rainbow and brook trout, kokanee salmon, and tiger trout. A Forest Service campground, boat launch, and resort are located on the lakeshore. The Pipsissewa Trail from the campground connects to the Mount Bonaparte summit trail.
Conconully State Park, 22 miles southwest of Aeneas Valley, sits at the old mining town of Conconully on a pair of reservoirs. The park offers 82 campsites, a swimming beach, boat launches, and access to miles of ORV trails. Conconully Reservoir and Upper Conconully Reservoir are stocked with rainbow trout and support a winter ice-fishing season.
The broader Okanogan National Forest stretches west toward the Cascades, offering backcountry access into the Pasayten Wilderness, the Lake Chelan-Sawtooth Wilderness, and hundreds of miles of additional trail. The Okanogan is one of the least-visited national forests in Washington, meaning solitude is the norm rather than the exception.