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


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.


Deschutes National Forest 2011 Partnership Report

Central Oregon Nordic Club volunteers work on winter shelter.

Annually hundreds of volunteers and partner organizations, including non-profit,local and state government agencies, and federal agencies contribute to accomplishing critical work on the Deschutes and Ochoco national forests.  This work by volunteers and partners benefits not only the national forests, but also the local communities by providing recreation and tourism opportunities, job training, and restoration of wildlife habitats and watersheds.  The Deschutes and Ochoco National Forests are grateful for our volunteers and partners.