Umatilla National Forest

Walla Walla Ranger District

The Walla Walla Ranger District stretches from Dayton, WA, to the north to I-84 and Meacham, OR, to the south, Elgin, OR, and the Grande Ronde River to the east and the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation to the west. It includes land in 5 counties and 2 states with a broad diversity of natural resources and an equally broad diversity of users.

When discussing natural resources from the Walla Walla District, water comes to the forefront of the discussion. The Mill Creek Watershed, a 36 square mile drainage that supplies water to the City of Walla Walla and the surrounding area. This area is managed and protected cooperatively by the District and the City of Walla Walla.

The Walla Walla district offers many opportunities to recreate from two commercial ski areas to developed campsites, cabin rentals to miles and miles of trail, snowmobile and cross country ski areas paths to fishing opportunities. The area is full of historic sites like the Whitman Route, used by Dr. Marcus and Narcissa Whitman as they made the journey over the mountains to their future home at Whitman Mission. The Kendall Skyline road, built in the 1930's by the CCC still reaches from Dayton, Washington, to Tollgate, Oregon offering some magnificent vistas to the forest visitor. The historic Tollgate Visitor Center and the Long Meadows Guard station still stand in their original locations.

The Walla Walla Ranger District also includes the North Fork Umatilla Wilderness within its boundaries. This 15,000-acre wilderness follows the North Fork of the Umatilla from its very source to the junction of the North and South forks of the Umatilla. Many great hiking trails radiate out from this junction, which is also a popular camping area called Umatilla Forks.

The Walla Walla Ranger District is home to a wonderful variety of wildlife and is a marvelous area for serious (or not so serious) bird watchers. It has become a popular destination for hunters from all over the United States. Rumored to live on the District, but not yet proven, are Northern Lynx, wolverines and even the elusive Sasquatch.

Umatilla National Forest
2517 S.W. Hailey Avenue
Pendleton, OR 97801

541-278-3716