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.

Features

Final Decision Issued for Central Cascade Wilderness Strategy Project

The Deschutes and Willamette National Forests have issued a decision notice for the Central Cascades Wilderness Strategy Project. The decision will manage entry at trailheads within three Cascade wilderness areas beginning the summer of 2020.

From the Friday before Memorial Day weekend through the last Friday in September, wilderness day use will be managed with a permit system at 19 of 79 trailheads across Mount Jefferson, Mount Washington, and Three Sisters Wilderness areas.

• Mount Jefferson will have a day use permit system at seven trailheads (32 percent of all trailheads),

• Mount Washington will have a day use permit system at two trailheads (20 percent of all trailheads) and

• Three Sisters will have a day use permit system at 10 trailheads (21 percent of all trailheads).

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

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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