Welcome to Malheur National Forest
About 60 million Americans rely on drinking water that originated on the national forests and grasslands.
The 1.7 million acre Malheur National Forest is located in the Blue Mountains of Eastern Oregon. The diverse and beautiful scenery of the forest includes high desert grasslands, sage and juniper, pine, fir and other tree species, and the hidden gems of alpine lakes and meadows. Elevations vary from about 4000 feet (1200 meters) to the 9038 foot (2754 meters) top of Strawberry Mountain. The Strawberry Mountain Range extends east to west through the center of the forest.
Forest Officials Take a Preventative Approach to Campfire Safety
 Forest officials for the Malheur National Forest remind the public that seasonal safety regulations for building campfires when recreating the national forest will begin June 1, 2018.
These seasonal restrictions are in affect annually from June 1 through October 31 and require visitors to build their campfire in a fire pit surrounded by dirt, rock, or commercial rings, in areas cleared of all flammable material within a three-foot radius from the edge of the pit and free of overhanging material. A shovel and one gallon of water are required to be in your possession while building and tending campfires. These requirements also apply to the use of charcoal briquettes.
Campfires often serve as the centerpiece of family campsites across the forest and forest managers understand campfires are an important part of the outdoor camping experience and tradition.
The seasonal regulation does not prohibit the use of campfires, when conditions permit; it only designates proper conditions for safe campfires. The June 1 date for campfire safety regulations in dispersed and developed campsites is meant to encourage campfire safety before fire season comes full-swing.
During times of high or extreme fire danger, forests will implement additional Public Use Restrictions, also known as PURs, which will further restrict the use of campfires, chainsaws, smoking, and travel. PURs will be implemented in phases, based on increased fire danger, hot and dry weather conditions, and concern for public safety.
Forest officials recommend the following campfire safety precautions:
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Always abide by local campfire laws.
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Only adults should build and maintain campfires.
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Find a shady spot away from dry logs, overhanging branches, bushes, needles, or leaves.
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Use existing fire-rings where it is safe to do so. Don’t build fire-rings in roads.
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Keep campfire rings small and use wood no bigger than the ring.
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Keep tents and other burnable materials away from the fire.
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Never leave a campfire unattended. Those leaving campfires unattended can be billed for the cost of fire suppression.
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Drown the campfire with water and stir charred material.
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When leaving, make sure your fire is DEAD OUT. Very carefully feel all sticks and charred remains. Make sure no roots are smoldering. If it's too hot to touch, it's too hot to leave.
Economic Activity From The Malheur 10-Year Stewardship Contract: 2015–2017
 In September of 2013, the US Forest Service awarded a 10-year stewardship contract for restoration work on Malheur National Forest. The contract’s goals were to promote ecological restoration, reduced wildfire risk, and economic vitality in Grant and Harney counties. The duration of this contract was expected to provide greater certainty and consistency in the offering of restoration work and timber volume. The Forest Service used anticipated local economic benefit as a criterion in selecting the contract awardee. The contract was developed through partnership with two local forest collaborative groups, the Blue Mountains Forest Partners and Harney County Restoration Collaborative. This fact sheet analyzes some of the economic activity in Grant and Harney counties associated with work under the contract in years 2015 through 2017.
Draft Baseline Open Transportation Maps
 In early 2019, the Malheur National Forest will be starting the travel management planning process. The maps posted below are not official Motor Vehicle Use Maps (MVUM). They are “DRAFT Baseline OPEN Transportation Maps”, representing only the Forest Service roads that are shown as open to motorized use in the Malheur National Forest Database. The public is encouraged to become familiar with the maps and utilize them to field verify if they represent routes currently used.
Allowable use of roads by ATVs on Malheur National Forest
- Currently there are a total of 5488 miles of open roads on the Forest of which, 5029 miles are open to ATV use. Map Link
- For safety reasons, roads are closed to ATV use if they meet the following criteria.
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