Strawberry Mountain Wilderness


Area Status: Open
Young Women hiking up Strawberry Basin Trail. A Wilderness boundary sign rests against a large tree

Wilderness Stewardship Performance

The Strawberry Mountain Wilderness is located east of John Day, Oregon, in the Malheur National Forest. The area includes approximately 68,700 acres and encompasses the headwaters of Pine, Indian, Strawberry, Canyon, Bear, Lake, Wall, Roberts, and Big Creek. The area is dominated by the Strawberry Mountain Range with the highest point being Strawberry Mountain. This area has extremely diverse ecological makeup. Five of the seven major life zones in North America can be found here. It also supports native population of Rocky Mountain Elk and other wildlife. The additions including the Canyon Creek Research Natural Area have improved both the quantity and the quality of the wilderness experience.

The complex geological story of this landscape began millions of years ago with the buckling of an ancient sea floor beneath the area where the western part of the Strawberry Range now rises. Much later, volcanic ash and lava formed the eastern part of the range. Most recently, the glacial ice carved its classic signature--U-shaped valleys--into the mountains. The ice also hollowed out the rock beds that today hold the seven alpine lakes of the Strawberry Mountain Wilderness--rare pleasures in the arid wilderness experience.

In a normal year, most people use the Wilderness between July and November. Snow may be encountered at higher elevations any time of the year. The climate from September is mostly mild, with clear skies. Summertime thunderstorms may occur, usually in cycles lasting several days. Daytime temperatures normally range between 30 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit; nights are cool. Freezing temperatures can occur any time of the year. When you go to the Strawberry Mountain Wilderness, be prepared for hiking in the high country. The land is rugged, and elevations range from 4,000 to the 9,038-foot summit of Strawberry Mountain. Over a hundred miles of trails cross the wilderness, offering vista after vista to the enterprising hiker. 

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At a Glance

Current Conditions: Please if you Pack it in/Pack it out- anything you bring with you into the forest, please take home with you. This includes packing out all trash yours and others. Examples: cigarette butts, cans, bottles, and food. Please follow local and state health guidelines. Much of the Strawberry Mountain Wilderness has experienced wildfires in recent and past years. Please use caution while hiking, backpacking, and trail riding in the area. You may come across fallen trees, overgrown sections of trail, lack of shade, and fire weakened trees.
Restrictions: Wilderness Regulations apply
Closest Towns: John Day, OR; Prairie City, OR
Water: Boil for 5 minutes, or treat, water before drinking
Operated By: Forest Service
Information Center: Prairie City Ranger District

General Information

Directions:

Water from springs, lakes, ponds, and streams should have proper treatment before you drink it. No matter how pure it may look, surface water should be considered unsafe to drink until properly treated. The most common disease associated with surface water is giardiasis, caused by ingesting the microscopic parasite Giardia lamblia. To be safe, boil or treat the water before drinking. The recommended treatment is to bring water to a rolling boil for five minutes.

If you are patient, lucky, and observant, you may see many kinds of wildlife in the wilderness. The list includes: elk, mule deer, antelope, black bear, cougar, California bighorn sheep, ruffed and blue grouse, pileated woodpecker, sharp-shinned hawk, bald eagle, pine marten, mink, beaver, and many more birds, fur-bearing animals, and other creatures. In fact, 378 kinds of animals and 22 fish species can be found in the area. 

  • Key access points: View hiking activity below the map for a list of trails in the area.

Topo Maps

Download free U.S. Forest Service Topo maps.

Buy maps online

Go to the National Forest Store.

Wilderness.net

Go to Wilderness.net for online maps and other important Wilderness information.


Activities

Day Hiking

See additional information under Backpacking.

Areas for Day Hiking at Strawberry Mountain Wilderness

Backpacking

When you go to the Strawberry Mountain Wilderness, be prepared for hiking in the high country. The land is rugged, and elevations range from 4,000 to the 9,038-foot summit of Strawberry Mountain. Over a hundred miles of trails cross the wilderness, offering vista after vista to the enterprising hiker. In 1984, the Oregon Wilderness Act more than doubled the original area of the Strawberry Mountain Wilderness to its current total of 68,700 acres. Water from springs, lakes, ponds, and streams should have proper treatment before you drink it. No matter how pure it may look, surface water should be considered unsafe to drink until properly treated. The most common disease associated with surface water is giardiasis, caused by ingesting the microscopic parasite Giardia lamblia. To be safe, boil or treat the water before drinking. The recommended treatment is to bring water to a rolling boil for five minutes.

Areas for Backpacking at Strawberry Mountain Wilderness

Horse Riding

Areas for Horse Riding at Strawberry Mountain Wilderness

Big Game Hunting

This trail is popular during big game hunting seasons such as Rocky Mountain Elk and mule deer seasons in fall and early winter.  For license and regulation information for big game hunting please visit the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Areas for Big Game Hunting at Strawberry Mountain Wilderness

Viewing Wildlife

If you are patient, lucky, and observant, you may see many kinds of wildlife in the wilderness. The list includes: elk, mule deer, antelope, black bear, cougar, California bighorn sheep, ruffed and blue grouse, pileated woodpecker, sharp-shinned hawk, bald eagle, pine marten, mink, beaver, and many more birds, fur-bearing animals, and other creatures. In fact, 378 kinds of animals and 22 fish species can be found in the area.

Areas for Viewing Wildlife at Strawberry Mountain Wilderness

Viewing Scenery

The complex geological story of this landscape began millions of years ago with the buckling of an ancient sea floor beneath the area where the western part of the Strawberry Range now rises. Much later, volcanic ash and lava formed the eastern part of the range. Most recently, the glacial ice carved its classic signature:U-shaped valleys:into the mountains. The ice also hollowed out the rock beds that today hold the seven alpine lakes of the Strawberry Mountain Wilderness rare pleasures in the arid wilderness experience.

Areas for Viewing Scenery at Strawberry Mountain Wilderness

Alerts & Warnings

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Related Information

Recreation Areas

Recreation Activities

Highlights