Deschutes National Forest

Welcome to the Deschutes National Forest

The Deschutes National Forest encompasses nearly 1.6 million acres, offering year-around recreation opportunities.

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Plan Your Next Visit

  • Recreation

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    The Deschutes National Forest offers year-round recreation opportunities. Start planning your next adventure today!

    Start Exploring

  • Recreation Passes

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    Some recreation sites require a day use fee. Find out where fees are charged and which passes may be used to cover these fees.

    Get Your Pass

  • Trails Report

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    Know Before You Go - check out our trails report for updates and conditions on non-motorized and motorized trails across the forest.

    Check Conditions

  • Maps & Publications

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    We offer a variety of maps! You can digitally download some for free while others can be purchased through online vendors.

    Learn More

  • Wildfire Crisis Strategy: Central Oregon

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    Central Oregon was chosen as one of 10 initial landscapes selected to receive $131 million in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) investment to begin implementation of the Wildfire Crisis Strategy in 2022.

    Learn More

  • Lava River Cave Timed Reservations

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    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).

    Reserve Your Ticket

  • Central Cascades Wilderness Permits

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    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.

    Get Your Permit

  • Central Oregon Fire Information

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    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.

    Visit Central Oregon Fire Info

  • Discover Your Forest

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    Our non-profit partner Discover Your Forest enhances visitors' experiences while supporting the next generation of public land stewards.

    Learn More

  • Children's Forest

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    The Children’s Forest seeks to improve health and learning for all children in Central Oregon by getting them outside.

    Learn More
     

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Features

Greater West Bend Area: Trail, Road & Area Closures

Check Current Trail Closures

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.

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Winter Range Closures

Graphic showing declining deer populations

Winter range closures are in effect December 1 through March 31. Winter range is habitat deer and elk migrate to in order to find more favorable living conditions during the winter.  Winter range is found predominantly in lower elevations of central Oregon and is extremely important to mule deer survival. Winter ranges usually have minimal amounts of snow cover and provide vegetation for forage, hiding cover, and protection from the weather. In Oregon, mule deer migrate, often long distances, to lower elevations to escape or minimize exposure to snow cover. 

Expending energy or stopping feeding activities to avoid humans causes deer to use energy reserves that might be needed to get them through the harshness of winter. Animals respond better to disturbances that are predictable, so please respect winter closures on trails and roads.

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Alerts & Warnings

View All Forest Alerts