Hiking
Hiking is a wonderful way to see and experience the many wonders of our nation’s forests. Visit your forest’s ranger district office, our All Maps page, or National Forest Store to obtain a trail map to help you plan your route based on your ability, available time and interest. Please follow these safety tips to ensure a safe journey:
- Being prepared includes knowing how to be a responsible hiker. Learn more on our Responsible Recreation page.
- Stay on marked trails.
- Don’t hike alone. Let the slowest person in your party set the pace. This is especially important when children are a part of your group.
- Leave your itinerary with a friend or family member and check in with them upon your return.
- Develop an emergency plan before you start your trip. Make sure everyone knows what to do if they become lost or a medical emergency arises. Give children whistles with the instructions to "stop and blow" if they become lost.
- Take frequent rests or vary your pace to maintain your energy level.
- Drink plenty of water, even on cool, wet days. Never drink your entire supply between refills.
- Wear appropriate clothing, including sturdy boots that are broken in and are comfortable.
- Consider using a hiking pole or walking stick to help maintain your balance in unlevel or hazardous areas.
- Be aware of your surroundings, and pre-plan your approach before hiking through more hazardous areas. Wet surfaces can be a hazard and even more so if it's on a slope.
Search for Hiking Opportunities
O'brien Creek Upper Trailhead
Provides access to: O'brien Creek Trail #900FacilitiesNo picnic tableNo fire pitNo drinking waterNo toiletNo garbage disposal - Please pack it out
Oak Flat Campground
This site is located along the Wild and Scenic Illinois River and the Illinois River West Trailhead. For tents and small trailers only.Facilities15 campsites with picnic tables and fire pitsNo…
Onion Way Trailhead
Provides access to:Onion Way Trail #1157Secret Way Trail #1282FacilitiesNo picnic tableNo fire pitNo drinking waterNo toiletNo garbage disposal - Please pack it out
Oregon Redwoods Trailhead
Provides access to:Oregon Redwoods Barrier Free Trail #1106 Oregon Redwoods Trail #1107FacilitiesNo picnic tableNo fire pitNo drinking waterVault toiletGarbage disposal
Osgood Ditch Trailhead
Provides access to: Osgood Ditch Trail #1276FacilitiesNo picnic tableNo fire pitNo drinking waterNo toiletNo garbage disposal - Please pack it out
Packer's Cabin
Packer’s Cabin was originally built around 1930 and served as the headquarters for the Forest Service packer who supplied lookouts and field crews by horse or mule pack trains. Today, however,…
Panther Ridge - Bald Knob Trailhead
Located near Bald Knob Lookout recreation rental. Serves as western access to Panther Ridge Trail #1253.FacilitiesNo picnic tableNo fire pitNo drinking waterNo toiletNo garbage disposal - Please pack…
Panther Ridge - Buck Point Trailhead
Provides eastern access to: Pather Ridge Trail #1253 which accesses Wild Rogue Wilderness.Adjacent access to Mule Creek Trail #1159 (Bureau of Land Management) via nearby trailhead Mule Creek…
Panther Ridge - Clay Hill Trailhead
Located roughly in the middle of the Panther Ridge Trail #1253.Provides access to:Panther Ridge Trail #1253 and Clay Hill Trail #1160A which access Wild Rogue Wilderness.FacilitiesNo picnic…
Panther Ridge - Hanging Rock Trailhead
View one of the most distinctive rock outcroppings on the district that overlooks the Rogue River watershed.Provides access to:Hanging Rock Trail #1113, a 0.25-mile-long trail from trailhead that…