Deschutes National Forest
Welcome to the Deschutes National Forest
The Deschutes National Forest encompasses nearly 1.6 million acres, offering year-around recreation opportunities.
Plan Your Next Visit
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Recreation
The Deschutes National Forest offers year-round recreation opportunities. Start planning your next adventure today!
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Recreation Passes
Some recreation sites require a day use fee. Find out where fees are charged and which passes may be used to cover these fees.
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Trails Report
Know Before You Go - check out our trails report for updates and conditions on non-motorized and motorized trails across the forest.
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Maps & Publications
We offer a variety of maps! You can digitally download some for free while others can be purchased through online vendors.
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Wildfire Crisis Strategy: Central Oregon
Central Oregon is one of 21 focal landscapes selected to receive up to $43.1 million in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) funding to implement the Wildfire Crisis Strategy through 2024.
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Lava River Cave Timed Reservations
Reserve your Lava River Cave Timed Reservation Ticket to secure your timeslot for parking at Lava River Cave ahead of arrival. Lava River Cave Timed Reservation Tickets improves visitors’ safety and experience by providing timeslots available for reservation in advance, including same-day arrivals (subject to availability).
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Central Cascades Wilderness Permits
The Mount Jefferson, Mount Washington and Three Sisters Wilderness areas are home to iconic mountain peaks, high alpine meadows and lakes, and old growth forests. In an effort to preserve the natural beauty and wilderness experience for you and future visitors and to better manage recreation-related impacts, these areas are managed with use limits, or quotas, to ensure the protection of these landscapes now and into the future.
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Central Oregon Fire Information
Visit Central Oregon Fire Info for information on prescribed fire, wildfire and smoke on the Deschutes & Ochoco National Forests, the Prineville BLM and the Oregon Department of Forestry. Text "COFIRE” to 888-777 to receive Deschutes County text alerts.
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Discover Your Forest
Our non-profit partner Discover Your Forest enhances visitors' experiences while supporting the next generation of public land stewards.
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Children's Forest
The Children’s Forest seeks to improve health and learning for all children in Central Oregon by getting them outside.
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Recent News
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Flat Top and Firestone Fires Temporary Emergency Closure Decreases in Size
Release Date: Oct 11, 2024
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Emergency Fire Closure for Bachelor Complex Expanded
Release Date: Oct 10, 2024
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Thirty-day comment period opens for Black Butte Ranch Wildland Urban Interface Fuels Reduction Project
Release Date: Oct 9, 2024
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Sisters Ranger District to Conduct Brush Mowing to Reduce Hazardous Fuels
Release Date: Oct 8, 2024
Features
West Bend Area: Trail, Road & Area Closures (October 8, 2024)
We are restoring the forest adjacent to the City of Bend to improve forest health, create a diversity of plant and wildlife habitat and to protect our communities and quality of life.
Historically in Central Oregon small wildfires or insect infestations occurred creating a forested of different aged trees, underbrush, and openings, which allowed a diversity of wildlife and plants to flourish and kept forests resilient to large scale disturbances. The goal of this work is to restore a more resilient and healthy forest.
Northwest Forest Plan & Amendment
The 1994 Northwest Forest Plan is an overarching land management plan that applies to seventeen national forests and one national scenic area to address impacts to threatened and endangered species while also contributing to social and economic sustainability in the region.
What’s changed? Thirty years later, the landscape within the Northwest Forest Plan area has experienced significant social, economic, and ecological changes - prompting a formal amendment process to improve the management framework to align with these current conditions and challenges. The amendment focuses on five key areas that have been identified as part of this need for change. Learn more and get involved: https://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/r6/nwfp.
Spotlights
2024 Central Oregon Firewood
Firewood cutting season on the Deschutes National Forest is open May 1 through November 30.
What is Prescribed Fire?
Prescribed fire can be used to reduce hazardous fuels while improving forest and rangeland health and protecting the quality of our watersheds and wildlife habitat.
Accessible Adventures on the Deschutes National Forest
Learn more about accessible recreation sites on the Deschutes National Forest.
Hunting on the Deschutes
Planning a hunting trip on the Deschutes National Forest?
Know Before You Go by clicking on this information!
Alerts & Warnings
- Firestone & Flat Top Fires Emergency Closure (October 11, 2024)
- Bachelor Complex Fires Emergency Closure (October 10, 2024)
- West Bend Area Trail Closures (Oct. 8, 2024)
- Red Fire Area Emergency Closure (Effective October 3, 2024)
- Public Use Fire Restrictions: Stage 1 (Effective September 20, 2024)
- Revised Wickiup Fire Area Emergency Closure (Effective July 25, 2024)
- Round Mountain Fire Area Emergency Closure (July 19, 2024)
- Blue-Green Algae Information (Summer 2024)
- Recreating in the Cedar Creek Fire Burned Area (June 2023)
- Willamette NF Fire Closures