With over 1.6 million acres, the Willamette National Forest is home to eight wilderness areas, including the popular Three Sisters Wilderness and Mt. Jefferson Wilderness, a variety of backpacking and day hiking opportunities, waterfalls, wildflowers, mountain biking trails, boating, swimming and much more! The varied landscape of high mountains, narrow canyons, cascading streams, and wooded slopes offers excellent opportunities for visitors and make the forest valuable for many purposes. Learn More About The Forest.

Find more activities from our recreation section.

Recent News

• McKenzie River Ranger District to begin spring prescribed burns

  Release Date: Apr 19, 2019  

• May is Wildfire Awareness Month – What You Can Do to Prepare!

  Release Date: Apr 17, 2019  

Features

Sweet Home Nature and Heritage Tours

Come explore the beautiful Sweet Home Ranger District of the Willamette National Forest! The 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.

Sweet Home Nature and Heritage Tours will take you to the out-of-the-way spots with a friendly group to explore, learn and have a wonderful time while coming to appreciate why the Sweet Home area is such a special place. Whether you’re a budding naturalist or a long-time explorer of Pacific Northwest, Sweet Home Nature and Heritage Tours will be an experience you will long remember...learn more

Thinking Outside the Channel: Innovative River Restoration Work

We are working to restore the ecological health of watersheds and aquatic and riparian ecosystems in close coordination between partners, watershed councils, and landowners. Healthy floodplains serve many benefits for people and the environment, such as reducing the impact of flood events, recharging ground water tables, protecting water quality, maintaining and support biological diversity, and providing spawning and rearing habitat for fish and other aquatic species. "We are thinking outside the channel," says USFS Hydrologist Johan Hogervorst. These projects will help ensure healthy functioning streams and resilient ecosystems we have always relied on for future generations to come...Learn more

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Spotlights

Explore the Forest

Explore distinctive recreation opportunities on each of the four ranger districts. From camping to hiking to biking to boating and more...go play

Interactive Visitor Map

The interactive visitor map lists recreation areas, roads and trail systems, so you can digitally explore and find your next adventure.

Recreation Conditions

Displays area conditions for all camping and cabins on the Willamette National Forest as well as popular recreation sites.

Accessible Adventures

We strive to offer areas in the forest where everyone can experience the many natural wonders the area has to offer. Watch our Accessible Adventure Videos