- Explore over 1,700 miles of scenic trails that wind through the forest.
- One of the country’s largest national forests at over 1.6 million acres.
- Seven volcanic peaks are located within the forest.
- Located about 30 miles west of Bend.
Overview
One of the most gorgeous places in Oregon is the Willamette National Forest. Covering over 1.6 million acres, the Willamette Forest has 7 major volcanic peaks, 380,000 acres of protected wilderness, and several rivers designated as Wild and Scenic. The forest extends 110 miles along the western side of Oregon’s majestic Cascade Mountains. Visitors are drawn to this area to experience the fantastic scenery and enjoy abundant recreational opportunities.
Location and Information
The Willamette National Forest, Oregon, is located a little over 30 miles west of Bend.
Contact Information
Willamette National Forest, 3106 Pierce Parkway, Suite D, Springfield, OR 97477. Phone: 541-225-6300. Visit the website here.
Activities
- Camping – Campers may choose to rough it with dispersed camping, or find a site within one of the 70 developed campgrounds located throughout the forest.
- Hiking and Backpacking – There is no end to beautiful trails for hikers and backpackers, with nearly 1,700 miles of trails winding through this vast forest. Choose from trails at low elevations that are easy to access, or more challenging wilderness trails. Many trails throughout the forest can be travelled via horseback as well.
- Mountain Biking – There are plenty of scenic trails for mountain bikers to explore. The Middle Fork and McKenzie Ranger Districts contain the majority of these trails.
- Winter Recreation – There are two winter recreation areas in the Willamette Forest – Willamette Pass and Santiam pass – which offer a variety of recreational activities such as skiing, tubing, and snowmobiling.
Fun Facts
- The seven major volcanoes located with Willamette National Forest are Mt. Jefferson, the Three Sisters, Diamond Peak, Mt. Washington, and Three Fingered Jack. Mt. Jefferson, at 10,497 feet, is the tallest of these peaks.
- The Willamette National Forest is one of the largest national forests in the country.
- The forest’s elevation ranges from 1,500 feet to nearly 10,500 feet.
- Much of the forest is comprised of Douglas fir, although at least a dozen other types of conifers grow there as well including Ponderosa pine and western hemlock.
