Deschutes & Ochoco National Forests & Crooked River National Grassland
 

Welcome to the Deschutes & Ochoco National Forests!

Lake with Mountains
Three Sisters Wilderness - Deschutes National Forest
Walton Lake - Ochoco National Forest
Walton Lake -
Ochoco National Forest
Crooked River NG - Fall Colors
Fall Colors - Crooked River National Grassland

We hope this website serves as an opening door to the scenic beauty and recreation that makes central Oregon irresistible to visitors from across the United States and the world.

Though the beauty of these two national forests is the attraction for most visitors, the Forest Service manages these public landscapes to provide clean water, timber and mineral products, and healthy habitats for fish, wildlife, and plants for both current and future generations.

The Forest Service is fortunate to have great partners and volunteers who assist us in our stewardship of these incredible and diverse landscapes. If you are interested, please look for opportunities to partner or volunteer with us!

Please be aware of your personal safety as you explore these forests. There are inherent risks in the outdoors, such as wildfire, danger trees, cliffs, and hypothermia. Also, please make sure to check out current fire conditions and our safety messages before you visit.

Recent News

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Features

New Rules of the Road Information

In August 2011, the Deschutes and Ochoco National Forests and Crooked River National Grassland issued new rules for motorized travel.  The changes came from the Forest Service's 2005 Travel Management Rule. 

The Forest Service publishes FREE Motor Vehicle Use Maps to help you understand all the roads, trails, and areas that are OPEN to motorized travel.  Under the plan for the Deschutes and Ochoco National Forests and Crooked River Grassland there are 8,000 miles of designated  OPEN roads and no authorized open roads were closed under the plan.  The main effort of the plan was to elimnate cross-country travel except within 45 areas designated OPEN to cross-country travel under the plan.  The goal of the Forest Service is to help the public understand these new rules and provide them the information they need.


What is Camping on my Shrub?

Image of tent caterpillar on bitterbrush

It is a Tent Caterpillar!

What in the World is a Tent Caterpillar?

People are starting to notice some small visitors pitching their tents on bitterbrush and other local central Oregon shrubs. These tents are made by the western tent caterpillar, Malacosoma californicum, an insect that is native to our area. Populations of the tent caterpillar build up periodically, typically every ten years or so, and begin to defoliate bitterbrush and sometimes snowbrush (Ceanothus). 


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Fire Danger Level: Low

Quick Links
Children enjoying activities as a part of the Deschutes Children's Forest

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National Forest Foundation