Pacific Northwest Region Viewing Area
LOCATION and PHOTOS
View along the trail. Photo by Missy Anderson.
Wood River Day Use Area
Forest: Fremont-Winema National Forest
District: Chiloquin Ranger District
Description: The Wood River Day Use Area is located along the Wood River in the Upper Klamath Basin. The site offers a trail system that winds through stands of aspens, extending to meadow-shrub riparian areas and an overlook of the river. A diversity of wildflowers blooms during the spring and summer. In the fall, aspen, cottonwoods, and willow turn a brilliant yellow. This is also one of the popular stops along the Klamath Basin Birding trail.
Viewing Information: As you drive toward the Wood River, the vegetation transitions from upland ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) and bitterbrush (Purshia tridentata) forest to riparian hardwoods and open grassy meadows. Fireweed (Chamerion angustifolium) and Douglas spirea (Spiraea douglasii) line the road. As you follow the trail system, starry Solomon’s seal (Maianthemum stellatum), sweet cicely (Osmorhiza berteroi), and American vetch (Vicia americana) are common beneath the shade of the aspens. In the open grassy areas, look for giant red Indian paintbrush (Castilleja miniata), yarrow (Achillea millefolium), slender cinquefoil (Potentilla gracilis), Gairdner’s yampa (Perideridia gairdneri), bigleaf lupine (Lupinus polyphyllus), largeflower triteleia (Triteleia grandiflora), and the sweet-smelling northern bedstraw (Galium boreale). In the wetter spots along the river, Geyer’s willow (Salix geyeriana) and other willow species (Salix sp.), along with alder (Alnus incana) can be found. Late in the summer, Canada goldenrod (Solidago canadensis) and asters (Aster sp.) put on a showy display along the boardwalks.
Safety First: This is a developed, handicap accessible, day use area with paved trails, boardwalks, benches, picnic tables, and an outhouse. Few safety concerns are present, but viewers should be prepared for mosquitoes in spring and summer.
Directions: The area is located east of Fort Klamath and about 50 minutes north of Klamath Falls, Oregon. From Klamath Falls take Highway 97 north to Highway 62 (Crater Lake Exit). From Highway 62, turn onto Forest Road 23/Sun Mountain Road. Head north from the highway for about a mile then turn left (west) onto the 960 spur road and go to the end.
Ownership and Management: USDA Forest Service, Fremont-Winema National Forest, Chiloquin Ranger District.
Closest Town: Fort Klamath, Oregon.