Viewing Plants

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Viewing Plants Areas

• Detroit Ranger District (on US Highway 22)

  Detroit Ranger District (US Highway 22)

  Detroit Ranger District is located in the northern part of the Willamette National Forest, bordering Mt. Hood National Forest and the Warm Springs Indian Reservation.

  This area is accessible from the west on Highway 22 from Salem, from the east on Highway 22 via Highway 20/126 from the Santiam Pass area, or from the north on Forest Road 46 from the Mt. Hood National Forest.

  Camping

  Here you will find popular campgrounds in the Detroit Lake Area, as well as Breitenbush Campground and Shady Cove Campground that serve as the base for adventures such as hiking, horseback riding, OHV riding, swimming, and more.

  Hiking

  Incredible vistas await while backpacking in the Mt. Jefferson - Jefferson Park Trail Area and the Opal Creek Scenic Recreation Area.

  Many day hiking opportunities can be found throughout the district such as the Detroit Reservoir Trail Area and Coffin Mountain Trail Area.

  Other Recreation

  Many areas offer great boating and swimming such as the Detroit Lake Area, Elk Lake Campground, and Three Pools Day Use Area.

• Elk Lake Campground
• 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.

• Olallie Trail Area

  Map of Olallie Trail Area

  

• Delta Old Growth Nature Trail #3317
• Quaking Aspen Swamp Trail #3332
• Delta Campground

  Known for its access to rafting and drift boat fishing on the McKenzie River, This scenic 38 site (33 single, 5 multiple) campground is located in a grove of old growth trees. Some of these ancient sentinels, predominantly Douglas fir and western red cedar, are centuries old and make for an enchanting setting. Access to the river, Cougar Reservoir and Terwilliger Hot Springs make this campground a great spot for camping and exploring the area.

  Several hiking trails are in the surrounding wilderness, guarded by large Douglas fir and western red cedar trees. Visitors can also enjoy a short botanical walk on the Delta Old Growth Nature Trail. A day use area and amphitheater are also available at the campground. 

• 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

• Upper McKenzie Trail Area

  Map of Upper McKenzie Trail 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.

• Fall Creek Trail Area

  Map of Fall Creek Trail Area

  

• Clark Creek Nature Trail #3456
• Gold Lake Area

  Gold Lake, situated in an open alpine forest, is a popular spot in both summer and winter. Although gas motors are not allowed on this small (100 acre, 25 feet deep) lake, electric motors (slow-no wake speed only), canoes, rafts and rowboats provide excellent fishing access. A primitive log shelter built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the early 1940s provides a dry picnic area or overnight protection for cross country skiers in winter.

  Located very near the lake is Gold Lake Bog. This special area offers the visitor the opportunity to view deer, elk, and other smaller wildlife.

  In the late spring and summer this area abounds with wild flowers and huckleberries. This is a popular area to pick huckleberries in the late summer.

  • View more Popular Lakes & Rivers
• Gold Lake Day Use Area
• 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. 

  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

• Pyramids Trail #3380
• South Santiam and Gordon Lakes Trail Area

  This group of lower elevation trails is located in the lower South Santiam drainage of Sweet Home Ranger District. These trails can usually be accessed year round.

  Map of South Santiam and Gordon Lakes Trail Area

  

• Gordon Meadows Trail #3394
• Gordon Meadows Trailhead
• Yukwah Nature Trail #3421
• Tombstone Pass Trail Area

  These trails highlight the special geology and plant communities of the Old Cascades and access major peaks and ridges around the Tombstone Pass area.

  Map of Tombstone Pass Trail Area

  

• Browder Ridge Trail #3409
• Cone Peak Trail #3408
• Echo Basin Trail #3410
• Heart Lake Trail #3407
• Iron Mountain Trail #3389
• Tombstone Nature Trail #3420
• Tombstone Pass / Cone Peak Trailhead