Sweet Home Ranger District (US Highway 20)


Area Status: Open

Sweet Home Ranger District (US Highway 20)

A group of people hike along Browder Ridge with mountains in the distanceSweet Home Ranger District is in the middle part of the Willamette National Forest. This area is accessible from the west via Highway 20 from Albany, OR, or from the east on Highway 20 from Sisters.

Let the Sweet Home Ranger District give you a taste of the sweet life! You’ll find mountain biking adventures, incredible wildflower hikes, swimming areas to keep cool on a hot summer day, and much more.

Guided Hikes

Sweet Home Nature and Heritage Tours offer incredible opportunities to learn about the plants, animals, geology and cultural history of the Sweet Home area, located on the edges of the Willamette Valley and within the spectacular Cascade Mountains. 

Camping

Keep cool on a warm summer day at one of the popular campground and swimming areas such as Fernview Campground, House Rock Campground, or Trout Creek Campground.

Hiking

If you like wildflowers take a hike in the Old Cascade Crest Trail Area or the Tombstone Pass Trail Area (especially Iron Mountain Trail). The Hackleman Old Growth Trail is a short 1/4 mile hike, but offers spectacular sightings of old growth trees and views of the South Santiam River. Check out the Sweet Home Trail Guide for detailed explanations of each trail.Wildflowers cover a rock face on the Iron Mountain Trail

Other Recreation

Grab your bike and get your legs and heart pumping on the Santiam Wagon Road Trail Area and Iron Mountain.

Uncover the past at Longbow Organization Camp.

At a Glance

Current Conditions: Weather: Sweet Home Ranger Station | Santiam Pass
Road Conditions
Operational Hours: The Sweet Home Ranger District office is currently closed to the public due to COVID-19. Please give us a call at  541-367-5168 and we can help you obtain passes, permits, maps, or other information that will help you with your visit to this beautiful portion of the Willamette National Forest. During severe weather, our offices and ranger stations may operate on a delayed schedule or close. Portions of this district remain closed due to active wildfires that have affected several hundred thousand acres in the region. If you plan on visiting, please call or check our Facebook and Twitter sites for information including forest closure orders and maps of the closure areas.
Closest Towns: Sweet Home, OR
Restroom: At Sweet Home Ranger Station
Passes: Passes are available at our office during business hours. For your convenience, you can order them online here, or purchase locally in Sweet Home at one of our vendors listed below.
Dan Dee Sales: 610 Main Street, Sweet Home
Coffee Hut: 2450 Highway 20, Sweet Home
Bi Mart: 1980 Highway 20, Sweet Home      
Operated By: Willamette National Forest
Information Center: Sweet Home Ranger Station
4431 Highway 20
Sweet Home, OR 97386
541-367-5168
Email: Sweet Home Ranger District
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Closed on federal holidays

Recreation Map

Map showing recreational areas. Map Information

Activities

Mountain Biking

Areas for Mountain Biking at Sweet Home Ranger District (US Highway 20)

Campground Camping

Areas for Campground Camping at Sweet Home Ranger District (US Highway 20)

RV Camping

Areas for RV Camping at Sweet Home Ranger District (US Highway 20)

Group Camping

Areas for Group Camping at Sweet Home Ranger District (US Highway 20)

Lake and Pond Fishing

Areas for Lake and Pond Fishing at Sweet Home Ranger District (US Highway 20)

River and Stream Fishing

Areas for River and Stream Fishing at Sweet Home Ranger District (US Highway 20)

Day Hiking

Areas for Day Hiking at Sweet Home Ranger District (US Highway 20)

Backpacking

Areas for Backpacking at Sweet Home Ranger District (US Highway 20)

Horse Camping

Areas for Horse Camping at Sweet Home Ranger District (US Highway 20)

Horse Riding

Areas for Horse Riding at Sweet Home Ranger District (US Highway 20)

Viewing Wildlife

Areas for Viewing Wildlife at Sweet Home Ranger District (US Highway 20)

Viewing Plants

Areas for Viewing Plants at Sweet Home Ranger District (US Highway 20)

Viewing Scenery

Areas for Viewing Scenery at Sweet Home Ranger District (US Highway 20)

Picnicking

Areas for Picnicking at Sweet Home Ranger District (US Highway 20)

Swimming

Areas for Swimming at Sweet Home Ranger District (US Highway 20)

Alerts & Warnings

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A map showing winter recreation areas at Santiam Pass and Willamette Pass

Winter Recreation Map Link opens in a Pdf Document

Quick Links

Recreation Areas

Recreation Activities

Highlights

Featured Events

Location

 
  Latitude : 
44.404291

  Longitude : 
-122.687857