Willamette National Forest Camping
Overview
A brief introduction to Willamette National Forest
The Willamette National Forest offers a stunning choice of year round recreation for day-trippers and vacationers alike from hiking, camping, fishing or skiing in the Cascade Mountains to picnicking or rafting along one of our scenic rivers. Seven major volcanic peaks rise within the Forest's Wilderness areas: Mt. Jefferson, Three Fingered Jack, Mt. Washington, the Three Sisters, and Diamond Peak.
Visitor Map
Use our recreation map to find activities to enjoy your time in the Willamette National Forest.
- Explore the Detroit Ranger District (Hwy 22)
- Explore the Sweet Home Ranger District (Hwy 20)
- Explore the McKenzie River Ranger District (Hwy 126)
- Explore the Middle Fork Ranger District (Hwy 58)
The recreation conditions report Displays area conditions for all camping and cabins on the Willamette National Forest as well as popular recreation sites and sno-park conditions (in the winter months). Many campgrounds and cabins can be reserved online at www.recreation.gov or phone 1.877.444.6777. For a full list of campgrounds north to south by ranger district click here.
The Willamette National Forest is a National Forest located in the central portion of the Cascade Range of the U.S. state of Oregon.
It comprises 1,678,031 acres (6,790.75 km2). Over 380,000 acres (694 mi2, 1,540 km2) are designated wilderness which include seven major mountain peaks. There are also several National Wild and Scenic Rivers within the forest. The forest is named for the Willamette River, which has its headwaters in the forest. The forest headquarters are located in the city of Springfield. There are local ranger district offices in McKenzie Bridge, Detroit, Sweet Home, and Westfir.The forest is famous for being at the center of the controversy between the logging industry and the endangered species status of the northern spotted owl. Environmentalists maintain that the forest was aggressively clear-cut for many years threatening a federally listed endangered species. The timber industry contends that the forest can simultaneously provide lumber jobs and wildlife habitat. Since April 1994, the forest is governed by the Northwest Forest Plan, which restricts, but does not eliminate, logging in potential spotted owl habitat.The forest stretches for over 100 miles (160 km) along the western slopes of the Cascade Range in Western Oregon. It extends from the Mount Jefferson area east of Salem to the Calapooya Ridge which divides the watersheds of the Willamette and Umpqua rivers. Most of the forest (about 61%) is located in Lane County, but there are large areas in Linn, Marion, and Douglas counties, as well as much smaller areas in Clackamas and Jefferson counties.
ARE Willamette National Forest campsites SOLD OUT?
We can help! Many campsite reservations are cancelled daily. Just tell us when you’d like to camp at Willamette National Forest, and how long you want to camp for. We’ll text you when a suitable spot opens up!
Scan for cancellationsContact Willamette National Forest
- Recreation.gov
- Booking site: https://www.recreation.gov
Spotted an error?
Whoops! Sometimes we make mistakes. Want to help improve the Willamette National Forest listing? Please suggest a correction.
UNABLE TO RESERVE A CAMPSITE?
Get notified when a sold-out campground has availability
Tell us when, where, and how long you want to camp for. We’ll notify you (via SMS) when a suitable spot opens up at that campground—so you can nab that sold-out campsite reservation!
