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.

People usually access the Forest using one of four major highways: Highway 22 accesses the North Santiam River area, Highway 20 accesses the South Santiam River area, Highway 126 accesses the McKenzie River area, and Highway 58 accesses the Middle Fork of the Willamette River area. To help you plan your trip, we have divided the Forest into four large recreation areas that can be reached using these major highways. We also used the names of the rivers above to identify these "travel corridors." We hope you find this an easy and useful way to plan your trip.

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.
• The Cascade mountains offer virtually endless recreation opportunities such as developed campgrounds, trails, Scenic Byways, snow activities and ski resorts.

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

Featured Sections

Trip Planning and Trip Planning Winter
The Willamette offers many unique activities. Don't know where to go or how to get there? Our trip planning guides will help you find a place on the Willamette National Forest for your favorite activity.

Know Before You Go
Need a pass or permit? What to take? What's the weather. Good things to consider before you head out.

Current Conditions
Check here for links to weather reports and road conditions as well as local Ranger District recreation condition updates where available.

Detailed Information About Activities

• Camping
• Trails/Hiking
• Water Recreation
• Wilderness
• Scenic Byways
• Lookouts
• Winter Recreation
• Cabin Rental Information
• Off Highway Vehicle (OHV) Recreation
• Featured Accessible Sites

Recreation Fee Program
(Recreation Enhancement Act ~ REA)

• Proposed Fee Changes & Site Additions for 2009 Recreation Fee Program
  
  
• Willamette NF Accomplishment Reports
  Find out how your fees are being used
  
  
• National Recreation Fee Program information

Recreation Planning

Also check out these sections to follow developments in planning for recreation guidelines:

• Travel Management Planning
• Recreation Facilities Analysis
• Opal Creek Scenic Recreation Area Management
• Waldo Lake Basin Management
• Cougar Recreation Area Information