Mountain Biking

Mountain Biking Areas

• McKenzie River Ranger District (Hwy 126)

  Explore the McKenzie River Ranger District (Highway 126)

  McKenzie River Ranger District is in the middle part of the Willamette National Forest, bordering the Deschutes National Forest. Accessible from the west via Highway 126 from Eugene, OR, or from the east on Highway 20 from Sisters.

  The McKenzie River Ranger District is a collection of stunning lakes and waterfalls, epic mountain biking and rafting, and opportunities to explore history.

  Hiking

  Get your water fix at the Upper McKenzie Trail Area hiking the Water Falls Loop Trail #3503 where you can see the popular Sahalie and Koosah Falls. View the headwaters of the McKenzie River at the stunning Clear Lake Loop Trail #4341.

  Other Recreation

  The O’Leary trail complex and Upper McKenzie Trail Area offer some of the best mountain biking on the forest. Road cyclists will love the challenge of the McKenzie Pass-Santiam Pass National Scenic Byway and the views are spectacular from your vehicle as well!

  Don’t miss the Dee Wright Observatory, along the scenic McKenzie Highway (Hwy 242), for panoramic views of Cascade peaks such as Mount Washington and the Three Sisters. For Highway 242 opening and closing dates, check the Oregon Department of Transportation website.

  History buffs will enjoy a stop at Fish Lake Interpretive Day Use sites, or try spending a night at an historic guard station (reservations required) such as Box Canyon Guard Station or Indian Ridge Lookout.

  Take a guided trip down the river with one of our McKenzie River Permitted Outfitters and Guides.

• Box Canyon Guard Station Cabin
• Box Canyon Trail Area

  Map of Box Canyon Trail Area

  

• Chucksney Mountain Trail #3306
• Grasshopper Mountain Trail #3569
• Roaring Ridge Trail #3312
• French Pete Trail Area

  Map of French Pete Trail Area

  

• Indian Ridge Trail #3315
• Olallie Trail Area

  Map of Olallie Trail Area

  

• Castle Rock Trail #3506
• Echo Trail #3309
• Horsepasture Mountain Trail #4347
• King-Castle Trail #4326
• O'Leary Mountain Trail #3321
• O'Leary Trail Complex
• Olallie Trail #3529
• Blue River North Trail Area

  Map of Blue River North Trail Area

  

• Buck Mountain Trail #3304
• Frissell Trail #3512
• Tidbits Mountain Trail #3328 / #3398
• Clear Lake Area

  Clear Lake has a long history of being a popular recreation spot in the high Cascades. It was discovered in 1859 by a party of men who were searching for a route over the Cascade Mountains. They had followed an Indian trail down Hackleman Creek and after con­siderable scouting found Fish Lake and then Clear Lake.

  Clear Lake is about 142 acres in size and lies at an elevation of 3,012 feet, with a maximum depth of 175 feet. It is one of the clearest and coldest lakes in the Cascades. It lies just off Highway 126 about 21 miles east of McKenzie Bridge. Clear Lake is excellent for canoeing and other non-motorized boats. Fishing is good at Clear Lake. Brook trout and cutthroat trout re­produce naturally in the lake. Rainbow trout are stocked annually.

  Cold Water Cove Campground has 34 campsites and each site is equipped with a picnic table and campfire ring. Adjacent to the campground is the Clear Lake Resort at which cabins are rented and there is a grocery and tackle shop with a restaurant that sells meals during the recreation season, from about late May through the fall.

  How did geological processes shape what you see at Clear Lake? Why is the water so clear and blue? What other diverse features exist because of a volcanic eruption 3,000 years ago? Take a walk along the Clear Lake Loop Trail to discover the answers as you walk through groves of ancient firs and across stark fields of lava to the source of the McKenzie River.

  Visiting the Clear Lake area, you’ll discover a diverse landscape.

  This landscape, though, is very different from what it was 3,000 years ago. At that time, there was no lake here, only a densely forested drainage dissected by a rumbling white-water river. About 1,000 B.C., Sand Mountain erupted. Lava flowed out toward the McKenzie River and burned the forest as it moved. When the lava reached the river and struck the cold water, it stopped. The McKenzie quickly backed up behind the wall of lava, and Clear Lake was formed. The forest that had lined the river banks was submerged under 120 feet of water. Remnants of these trees still stand today, incredibly preserved in the depths of the near-freezing lake. New ecosystems were created by the eruption, which provided habitat for new wildlife species. Fish species that had lived in the river adapted to life in the new lake. Different kinds of vegetation took root along the lake shore and in the cooled lava fields.

  Learn more and download the Clear Lake Loop Trail Guide here

  View more Popular Lakes & Rivers

   

• Ice Cap Campground

  This scenic campground is located in a stand of Douglas fir, cedar and hemlock on a bluff above the McKenzie River and Carmen Reservoir. Ice Cap Creek runs along the eastern edge of the campground. Ice Cap offers 22 campsites with 9 walk-in tent sites. Each site has a fire ring and picnic table. There are vault toilets, firewood for sale, and a host onsite. 

  The location provides easy access to the McKenzie River Trail and to Koosah and Sahalie Falls. The McKenzie River is well known for boating and fishing as are Carmen Reservoir, Fish Lake and Clear Lake.

• McKenzie River National Recreation Trail #3507

  Beginning at the Upper McKenzie River Trailhead, McKenzie River National Recreation Trail #3507 starts in an old lava flow, originating from Mt. Washington, and crosses a bridge over the McKenzie River.

  The trail maintains a gradual downhill track through old growth conifer trees as it winds along the edge of the McKenzie River and crosses the river on a footbridge just before Clear Lake. The trail continues winding through the forest and old lava flows in view of Clear Lake and passes the Great Spring, which is a primary source of the McKenzie River.

  After passing the southern end of Clear Lake, the trail winds through forest and crosses Highway 126, continuing along the McKenzie River. The trail then crosses the river to its western side on a footbridge, winding down past scenic viewpoints overlooking Sahalie and Koosah Falls. The trail winds around Carmen Reservoir where the river disappears underground for most of the year.

  The trail then follows a dry creekbed in old growth forest with several bridges to cross as the trail and creekbed meander in the valley bottom. After about 2 miles, the trail reaches a viewpoint of Tamolich Blue Pool, where the river bubbles up from the ground in a crystal clear, blue colored pool.  

  From here, the trail heads down stream as the river begins to grow from the spring at blue pool eventually ending again at Trailbridge Reservoir. From Trailbridge Reservoir, the trail continues south through an old growth conifer forest and breaks out onto Forest Road 610, joining the road and heading south past a gate before breaking off the road east and south back along the now continuing river.

  The trail crosses several more streams and follows forest roads connecting trail segments, breaking west and leveling out near Belknap Hot Springs Resort. The trail continues over undulating terrain west past Paradise Campground, then past the McKenzie River Ranger Station before reaching its end the at Lower McKenzie River Trailhead.

  See it before you hike it! Use Travel Lane County’s Google-Trekked Trails to see Google's "trail view" of this trail. Click on the "trail details" for more information on the trail itself. McKenzie River Trail / trail details

• McKenzie River Trailhead: Tamolitch Blue Pool
• Tamolitch Falls (Blue Pool) #3507
• Upper McKenzie Trail Area

  Map of Upper McKenzie Trail Area

  

• Clear Lake Loop Trail #4341
• Waterfalls Loop Trail #3503
• McKenzie River Scenic Byway
• Santiam Pass OHV Motorized Recreation Area
• Middle Fork Ranger District (Hwy 58)

  Middle Fork Ranger District (US Highway 58)

  Middle Fork Ranger District is the southern part of the forest, bordering the Deschutes and Umpqua National Forests. Accessible from the west on Highway 58 from Eugene, OR, or from the south via Highway 58.

  Spend some time exploring Waldo Lake, one of the gems of the forest, but don’t forget to get out on some of the great mountain biking, hiking, and horse trails in this area.

  Hiking

  Backpacking and day hikes can be found all over the district including, Fall Creek Trail Area, and Hardesty Trail Area. For spectacular mountain scenery, try a hike in the Willamette Pass Trail Area

  Other Recreation

  The renowned Middle Fork Willamette Trail #3609, Dead Moutain Trail and Alpine Trail are just a few of the more popular mountain biking areas.

  One of the gems of the Willamette National Forest is the Waldo Lake Area provides many recreational opportunities including horse camping, non-motorized boating, swimming, hiking and biking.

  For those who prefer to travel by horse, the spectacular Diamond Peak Trail Area offers multiple trails For those that enjoy travel of the motorized type, OHV enthusiasts can enjoy the Huckleberry Flats OHV Trail.

• Alpine Ridge - Salmon Creek Trail Area

  Map of Alpine Ridge - Salmon Creek Trail Area

  

• Alpine Trail #3450
• Alpine Trailhead #1
• Alpine Trailhead #2
• Alpine Trailhead #3
• Alpine Trailhead #4
• Alpine Trailhead #5
• Black Canyon Campground

  With 75 campsites and located in a mature Douglas-fir and Western Red Cedar forest, this campground offers a cool respite from summer heat alongside the Middle Fork of the Willamette River.  The campground offers some riverside sites with pleasant shade, fresh air with cool breezes. Each site contains a picnic table and campfire ring with grill. Accessible vault toilets and drinking water are provided. Located close to the city of Oakridge, the camp is directly off of Oregon State Highway 58. 

  A 1-mile interpretive nature trail winds through the campground, and Lookout Point Lake is less than a mile away, with opportunities for boating and fishing. A boat ramp is located on the lake. 
  
  Black Canyon is within the Winberry Trail Area, with excellent terrain like the Tire Mountain Trail for mountain biking and horseback riding, and the Clover Patch Trail for hiking.

• Black Canyon Day Use Area
• Blair Lake Campground
• Mule Mountain Trailhead
• Dead Mountain Trail #3566
• Eugene to Crest Trail #3559

  The concept of providing a continuous trail from Eugene, Oregon to the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail began in the early 1970's. While the trail officially opened in 1994, it was never fully completed and not all segments of the trail are connected or completed.

  The most intact segments of the trail are on the Willamette National Forest between Lowell and Tire Mountain Trail utilizing existing Forest Service roads and trails. The eastern segments are closed by snow during the winter months. Not all segments are passable by horses or motorcycles.

  The route begins at Skinner Butte park, in Eugene. Utilizing bike path and country road, the trail makes its way through Springfield to Buford Park (Mt. Pisgah). From Mt. Pisgah the trail continues to Elijah Bristow State Park. From there the trail merges with Highway 58 to get around Dexter Dam (this section is not recommended).

  The trail resumes along the north shore of Lookout Reservoir and soon joins existing Willamette National Forest trails following Tire Mountain and Alpine Trail before dropping back down to the town of West Fir and Oakridge.

  Outside of Oakridge the trail climbs to Bunchgrass Ridge, a high elevation ridgeline trail that follows the edge of the 1991 Warner Creek burn with views of bunchgrass meadows, Cascade peaks, and wildflowers. The Bunchgrass ridge section, which is also part of the Oregon Timber Trail, connects Oakridge to Waldo Lake, and has different segments - from east to west they are High Divide, Big Bunchgrass, Little Bunchgrass, and Heckletooth.

  The final miles enter the Waldo Lake Wilderness (no bicycles allowed), and then connects to the Pacific Crest Trail.

  There are over seventeen access points to this trail. They are best described in a brochure available at the Middle Fork Ranger District or by clicking here. At least ten of the access points utilize existing trailheads.

   

• Bunchgrass Trailhead - Lower
• Bunchgrass Trailhead - Upper
• Eugene to Crest Trailhead #1
• Eugene to Crest Trailhead #2
• Eugene to Crest Trailhead #3
• Eugene to Crest Trailhead #4
• Gold Point Trail #3468
• Gold Point Trailhead - Lower
• Gold Point Trailhead - Upper
• Jones Trail #3472
• Jones Trailhead
• Fuji Mountain Trail Area

  Map of Fuji Mountain Trail Area

  

• Devil's Garden Trail #3665
• Devil's Garden Trailhead
• Fuji Mountain Trail #3674
• Fuji Mountain Trailhead at Gold Lake
• Fuji Mountain Trailhead at Road 5883
• Verdun Trail #3686
• Verdun Trailhead
• Gold Lake Day Use Area
• Greenwaters Trail #4250
• Hardesty Trail Area

  Map of Hardesty Trail Area

  

• Goodman Creek Trail #3461.1
• Goodman Creek Trailhead
• Hardesty Trail #3469
• Hardesty Trailhead - Lower
• Hardesty Trailhead - Upper
• Lawler Trail #3473
• Lawler Trailhead
• Lost Creek Trailhead
• South Willamette Trail #3465
• Indigo Springs Campground
• Larison Trail Area

  Map of Larison Trail Area

  

• Larison Creek Trail #3646
• Larison Creek Trailhead - Lower
• Larison Creek Trailhead - Upper
• Larison Rock Trail #3607
• Larison Rock Trailhead
• M. Fork Willamette River - Moon Point Trail Area

  Map of Middle Fork Willamette River - Moon Point Trail Area

  

• Moon Point Trail #3688
• Youngs Rock Trail #3685
• Youngs Rock Trailhead
• Middle Fork National Recreation Trail #3609

  Designated a National Recreation Trail in 2007, This beautiful, multi-use trail offers over 30 miles of adventure along the Middle Fork of the Willamette River. The trail starts near Timponogas Campground and finishes near Sand Prairie Campground. Multiple trailheads offer opportunities for shorter trips and several of the easily accessible riverside areas receive high use.

  There are opportunities to view wildlife, flowers, waterfalls, and portions of the historic Oregon Central Military Wagon Road as you travel through forests of mixed conifer, cottonwood, and big leaf maple - giving the visitor diverse views of changing ecosystems.

  With a moderately strenuous grade and nearly 95% singletrack, the trail is popular with mountain bikers, but several sections of the trail are flat and can provide a scenic walk for even the youngest family member. Bring a fishing pole and a picnic and make it a day!

• Middle Fork Nat'l Recreation TH: Road 2133/34
• Middle Fork Nat'l Recreation TH: Sand Prairie C
• Middle Fork Nat'l Recreation Trailhead: Road 2120
• Middle Fork Nat'l Recreation Trailhead: Road 2127
• Middle Fork Nat'l Recreation Trailhead: Road 2143
• Middle Fork Nat'l Recreation Trailhead: Road 2153
• North Waldo Trail Area

  Map of North Waldo Trail Area

  

• Harralson Trail #4364
• Harralson Trailhead
• Jim Weaver Loop Trail (Waldo Lake Trail) #3590
• Salmon Creek Falls Campground

  This 14 site campground is located in a beautiful, lush, old growth forest along Salmon Creek. The rocky gorge-like area creates two small beautiful waterfalls and several deep pools which reflect the clear blue-green waters. Wild thimbleberries and hazelnuts abound in the summer. This camp is a favorite recreation spot for local residents as well as some more distant travelers.

• Salmon Creek Falls Day Use Area
• Salmon Creek Trail #4365
• South Waldo Trail Area

  Map of South Waldo Trail Area

  

• Betty Lake Trail #3664
• Betty Lake Trailhead
• Bobby Lake Trail #3663
• Bobby Lake Trailhead
• Gold Lake Trail #3677
• Maiden Peak Trail #3681
• Maiden Peak Trailhead
• Mt. Ray Trail #3682
• South Waldo Trail #3586
• The Twins Trail #3595
• Twin Peak Trailhead
• Timpanogas Trail Area

  Map of Timpanogas Trail Area

  

• Indigo Lake Trail #3649
• Sawtooth Trail #3634
• Sawtooth Trailhead
• Timpanogas Lake Trail #3638
• Harralson Horse Camp
• Shadow Bay Day Use Area (Waldo Lake)
• Willamette Pass Trail Area

  Map of Willamette Pass Trail Area

  

• Diamond Creek Falls Trail #3598
• Winberry Trail Area

  Map of Winberry Trail Area

  

• Cloverpatch Trailhead
• Joe's Peak Trailhead
• Tire Mountain Trail #3485
• Tire Mountain Trailhead
• Winberry Divide Trail #3476
• Winberry Divide Trailhead
• Sweet Home Ranger District (US Highway 20)

  Sweet Home Ranger District (US Highway 20)

  Sweet Home Ranger District is in the middle part of the Willamette National Forest. This area is accessible from the west via Highway 20 from Albany, OR, or from the east on Highway 20 from Sisters.

  Let the Sweet Home Ranger District give you a taste of the sweet life! You’ll find mountain biking adventures, incredible wildflower hikes, swimming areas to keep cool on a hot summer day, and much more.

  Guided Hikes

  Sweet Home Nature and Heritage Tours offer incredible opportunities to learn about the plants, animals, geology and cultural history of the Sweet Home area, located on the edges of the Willamette Valley and within the spectacular Cascade Mountains. Not available this season. We hope to bring this back soon!

  Camping

  Keep cool on a warm summer day at one of the popular campground and swimming areas such as Fernview Campground, House Rock Campground, or Trout Creek Campground.

  Hiking

  If you like wildflowers take a hike in the Old Cascade Crest Trail Area or the Tombstone Pass Trail Area (especially Iron Mountain Trail). The Hackleman Old Growth Trail is a short 1/4 mile hike, but offers spectacular sightings of old growth trees and views of the South Santiam River. Check out the Sweet Home Trail Guide for detailed explanations of each trail.

  Other Recreation

  Grab your bike and get your legs and heart pumping on the Santiam Wagon Road Trail Area and Iron Mountain.

  Uncover the past at Longbow Organization Camp.

• Old Cascade Crest Trail Area

  The Cascade Crest Trail System is a remote, scenic and primitive system of linked trails providing access to the crest of the Old Cascades. Dubbed the “Pyramids Epic Loop” by mountain bikers, six trails make up this 28 mile loop with about 8,000 feet elevation gain. The loop includes North Pyramid, Pyramids, South Pyramid Creek, Chimney Peak, Gordan Peak and Scar Mountain trails. This can make for a great weekend (or longer) backpack or a very challenging mountain bike ride.  

  The loop also connects to the Crescent Mountain trail on the Southeast side of the loop. You can also do a 7.5 mile out-and-back on Swamp Peak Trail which intersects the loop on the West side. Note the Swamp Peak Trail crosses into the Middle Santiam Wilderness where bikes are not allowed.

  Bring lots of water and plan on a full day (or days) to finish this challenging and remote loop. Be prepared – there can be snow on the trails well into summer. It is highly recommended you carry a map with you if navigating the loop. The USFS Sweet Home Ranger District map is available for purchase at the Ranger Station and on Avenza maps at https://www.avenzamaps.com/maps/793615

• Santiam Wagon Road Trail: An Oregon Historic Trail

  The Santiam Wagon Road holds an interesting and unique place in Oregon’s history. Unlike other wagon roads that were built to bring settlers to the Willamette Valley, this road was designed to lead settlers and their livestock eastward to the rich pasture lands of Central Oregon and to markets throughout eastern Oregon and Idaho.

  It was a distance of almost 400 miles and served as the primary means of transportation across the central Cascade Mountains for most of the 74 years (1865-1939) it was in use. The road served as a livestock, freight and stage route facilitating trade, commerce, and communication, which significantly contributed to the economic enhancement and settlement of both regions. Remnants of the Santiam Wagon Road have been preserved in the Willamette and Deschutes National Forests and provide the longest stretches (with very high integrity) of any historic wagon road in western Oregon.

  Today the Santiam Wagon Road is a valued treasure listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Along the route you can explore what early travelers experienced on their journey through the central Cascades. Many access points can be found along Highways 20 and 126, which follow the original route of the wagon road.

  Enjoy your journey on the Santiam Wagon Road: View and download a map and guide here

• Santiam Wagon Road: Fish Lake & Hackleman Sections
• Santiam Wagon Road: Mountain House Section
• Santiam Wagon Road: Sevenmile Section
• Santiam Wagon Road: Snow Creek Section
• Sevenmile Horse Camp
• Iron Mountain - Deer Creek (FS Road 15) Trailhead
• Tombstone Pass / Cone Peak Trailhead