Special Areas
National Trails
The Bureau of Land Management's National Conservation Lands, also known as the National Landscape Conservation System, contain some of the West's most spectacular landscapes. It includes over 886 federally recognized areas and approximately 27 million acres that include National Scenic and Historic Trails.
The National Trails System Act of 1968 led to the creation of eight long-distance National Scenic Trails dedicated to foot travel, often crossing several states, and highlighting some of the most spectacular scenery in the country. National Historic Trails allowing hikers to travel in the footsteps of the pioneers and get a first-hand taste of what they faced as they struggled west. Here in Oregon, hikers can experience the beauty and challenge of Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail and the Oregon National Historic Trail.
Below are just a few of the spectacular National Conservation Lands in Oregon and Washington.
National Historic Oregon Trail
As the harbinger of America's westward expansion, the Oregon Trail was the pathway to the Pacific Ocean for fur traders, gold seekers, missionaries and others. Today, more than 2,000 miles of trail ruts and traces can still be seen in the vast undeveloped western lands—reminders of the sacrifices, struggles, and triumphs of early American travelers and settlers. more>>
Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail - Oregon Section
This section from near Siskiyou Summit (elev. 4,310') in southernmost Oregon to the Washington border, is not only the shortest, but is also the easiest to hike or ride. Oregon's Cascade Range is a subdued volcanic landscape, having a gentle crest that is fairly constant in elevation. The highest point in Oregon is an unnamed saddle (elev. 7,560') north of Mt. Thielson. This, and other ancient volcanoes—Diamond Peak, Mt. Washington, and Three Finger Jack, plus recently active Mt. McLoughlin, Mt. Mazama (Crater Lake), the Three Sisters, Mt. Jefferson, and Mt. Hood—punctuate the skyline and can be seen from miles away. more>>
Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail - Washington Section
The trail begins this section with a lengthy climb out of the Columbia River gorge and eventually reaches the crest near the Indian Heaven Wilderness, a lake-blessed land abounding with huckleberries. Next it rounds the base of mammoth Mt. Adams (elev. 12,276’). Just north is the rugged dramatic Goat Rocks Wilderness, similar to the deep glaciated canyons and towering peaks of the High Sierra, and a traverse of the Packwood Glacier. more>>
Pacific Northwest Trail
From the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific Ocean, the Pacific Northwest Trail (PNT) is a unique hiking experience, offering a variety of back-country scenery and outdoor adventure. The 1200-mile Pacific Northwest Trail, running from the Continental Divide to the Pacific Ocean, ranks among the most scenic trails in the world. The PNT crosses 3 National Parks and 7 National Forests, and ends at the Pacific Ocean, on Washington's Olympic Peninsula. On Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands, this trail meanders through areas rich in Native American and Pioneer history, along a historic railroad grade deep in the canyon of the Similkameen River, and high above the shores of Lake Chopaka, in the heart of the Okanogan highlands of northern Washington.
- BLM western portion of the Pacific Northwest Trail (PDF)
- BLM eastern portion of the Pacific Northwest Trail (PDF)
Please note that many portions of the Pacific Northwest Trail are still being constructed and the trails indicated on the maps may not be the exact locations on the ground. Additional resources can be found at:
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