Forest Facts

Sahalie Falls (For more information, go to the Koosah/Sahalie Falls recreation area page.)

The Willamette National Forest stretches for 110 miles along the western slopes of the Cascade Range in western Oregon. It extends from the Mt. Jefferson area east of Salem to the Calapooya Mountains northeast of Roseburg. The Forest is 1,675,407 acres in size. The varied landscape of high mountains, narrow canyons, cascading streams, and wooded slopes offer excellent opportunities for visitors and make the Forest valuable for many purposes.

The Willamette National Forest is easily accessed from the Salem, Albany, and Eugene areas of the Willamette Valley. Four important highways-U.S. Route 20 and Oregon State Routes 22, 58, and 126-cross the Forest. Two Forest highways, Aufderheide Memorial Drive and the McKenzie Pass/Santiam Pass Loop, are National Scenic Byways. Over 6,400 miles of road on the Forest offer a chance to get off the beaten path.

Identity Statement

The Willamette is one of the most diverse and productive forests in the National Forest System. It is a dynamic landscape shaped by the forces of nature, the people who work here, and the social and political influences of the communities around it. Perched on the crest of the Cascades, the land and waters have carved a rich environment for abundant wildlife and botanical wonders.

Against a tapestry of forested slopes and clear, rushing waters, the diverse landscape yields a sustainable supply of timber, energy, special forest products and recreation opportunities to meet the physical and spiritual needs of the human community.

The Willamette is entrusted to the care of a skilled and committed group of professionals known for their dedication to the stewardship of this special place. Our diversity, creativity, and progressiveness is a direct reflection of the complexity of the forest and the complex needs of our society. We work hard to balance these sometimes conflicting needs. We are active in every facet of community life. We are the bridges between the community and the land. We build dynamic partnerships for making vital decisions about the management of this forest.

Climate and Topography

Elevations on the Forest range from about 1,500 feet above sea level to 10,495 feet at the snowcapped top of Mt. Jefferson, Oregon's second highest peak.

The Forest receives a large amount of precipitation each year, much of it as snow which blankets the higher peaks and ridges from October through April. The rain and melting snow drain into the headwaters of the McKenzie, Santiam, and Willamette Rivers, which flow from the Forest. There are over 1,500 miles of rivers and streams on the Forest and over 375 lakes, including many at elevations above 4,000 feet.

Natural History

Most of the Forest is covered with Douglas-fir, the State tree of Oregon and a valuable timber species in the United States. The Forest contains large stands of old-growth Douglas-fir, with diameters ranging from three to eight feet. Old growth stands can be seen at Delta Campground, along Fall Creek Trail, and at other locations throughout the Forest.

At least 15 other conifer species are common on the Forest as well, including cedar, pine, hemlock, and several species of fir. Many parts of the Forest show the past effects of fire, insects, wind, and disease which are natural parts of forested ecosystems on the west side of the Cascades.

The Willamette is host to over 300 species of fish and wildlife, including the northern spotted owl, northern bald eagle, wolverine, and several other sensitive and threatened species. Steelhead, bass, chinook and kokanee salmon, and many kinds of trout are found in Forest lakes and streams which afford excellent fishing. Big game animals common on the Forest include Roosevelt elk, black bear, cougar, and black tailed and mule deer. Only the most careful observer will spot some of the larger species, as they tend to be wary and elusive.

The topography of the Forest shows the marked effects of glacial scouring and erosion. The are also several volcanic cones and lava flows. The McKenzie Pass (Hwy. 242) offers one most impressive views of volcanic activity in the continental United States.

History

More detail... For more information on the Willamette's history, see the history section.

The Willamette National Forest is named after the Willamette River, which begins on the Forest. (The "Wallamt" was the Indian name for a place on the river near Oregon City.) The Willamette National Forest was established originally as part of the Cascade Range Forest Reserve designated by President Grover Cleveland in 1893, and was administratively organized in its current form as a National Forest in 1933. It has been managed by the Forest Service within the U.S. Department of Agriculture since 1905.

Wilderness

More detail... To learn about recreation opportunities and regulations in the Willamette's wilderness areas, visit the Wilderness recreation section. Permits are required between Memorial Day and October 31st if you're planning to visit one of the Willamette's wildernesses. The good news: they're free! See the Wilderness permits page for more information.

About one-fifth of the Forest, 380,805 acres, is Congressionally designated as wilderness. Seven major peaks of the Cascades -- Mt. Jefferson, Mt. Washington, Three Fingered Jack, Diamond Peak, North, Middle and South Sisters -- are within these wildernesses. Entry permits are required for all wildernesses for both day and overnight trips. Most are self-issuing at the trailhead, but some are limited entry and must be obtained in advance.

The use of motorcycles, mountain bikes, carts and other motorized and/or mechanized equipment is not permitted in wilderness, nor is gathering of special forest products such as tree seedlings, plant and minerals. When you visit the wilderness, please leave no trace. Pack out what you packed in.

Oregon Cascade Recreation Area

The Oregon Cascades Recreation Area was created by Congress in 1984 to protect and enhance the recreational values of this area adjacent to the Diamond Peak Wilderness. The 157,000 acre area includes portions of the Willamette, Umpqua and Deschutes National Forests. It is managed by these Forests to provide a wide range of recreational opportunities, including motorized use in some portions.

Wild & Scenic Rivers

The forest has two rivers designated by Congress as Wild and Scenic Rivers, the McKenzie River and the North Fork of the Middle Fork of the Willamette River. These rivers are managed for protection of recreational opportunities as well as natural, scenic and historic qualities.

Scenic Routes

Scenic routes provide miles of spectacular scenery for Forest visitors. Unique attractions such as points of cultural, geological and historical interest can be found along the routes. Designated scenic routes are Clackamas-Breitenbush Road, McKenzie Pass-Santiam Pass Loop, Aufderheide Memorial Drive, Quartzville Creek Road, and Diamond Drive.

Recreation

More detail... To plan a camping, fishing, hiking, or other trip in the Willamette area, please visit our Trip Planning section.

The Willamette National Forest offers a wide variety of recreation opportunities during summer and winter months. Its central location makes it accessible to day-trippers and vacationers alike. The Forest's predominant features are the focal points of recreation activities.

Seven major volcanic peaks exist within the Forest's boundary: Mt. Jefferson, Three Fingered Jack, Mt. Washington, the Three Sisters (North Sister, Middle Sister and South Sister), and Diamond Peak. Four of the seven wildernesses on the Willamette Forest owe their existence to the diverse and pristine nature of the lands surrounding them. Recreation opportunities are abundant, so long as the activities are "light on the land" and consistent with the Wilderness Act.

The Cascade Range of mountains offer recreationists virtually endless opportunities for forest-related activities. Developed campgrounds, trails, Scenic Byways, and ski resorts are but a few of the facilities available for use. Outdoor recreation activities not associated with developed facilities are limited only by one's imagination.

The Willamette Forest's rivers, streams and lakes are perhaps the most important features for recreationists. Most activities occur close to bodies of water. The clarity and quality of water and the scenic environs in which it occurs greatly enhance visitors' experiences. Virtually all of our most popular trails, roads, developed campgrounds, and viewpoints are associated with outstanding rivers, streams or lakes.

The Willamette Forest is blessed by the existence of three major drainages that flow into the Willamette River: the Willamette (including the North Fork and Middle Fork), McKenzie (including the South Fork and Blue River), and Santiam (including the North, Middle, South and Little North Forks and Breitenbush River). Hundreds of natural lakes await to be explored, both inside and outside of wilderness. Numerous reservoirs exist on the Forest, all of which have campgrounds, picnic areas, campgrounds, and boat launches. Some have marinas and store facilities.

Management of the Forest

More detail... Many forest management documents and articles are available online in the Willamette Forest Management section.

The goal of Willamette National Forest managers is to sustain ecosystems and supply society with the fullest range of values and benefits consistent with biological and physical conditions. Management of the Forest is guided by the 1990 Forest Plan as amended by the Northwest Forest Plan (1994). The Forest Plan directs all natural resource management activities and establishes management practices, levels of resource production and management, and the availability and suitability of lands for resource management.