There is an abundance of recreational opportunities in the area. Whether you like to hike, mountain or road bike, kayak, fish, ski (water and snow), camp or backpack, you will find it here in the Willamette National Forest. The area features nearly 500 miles of trails and dozens of lakes and waterways.

Mountain Biking and Hiking Trails

Alpine Trail (20-50 miles) – The Crown Jewel. – Smooth and fast, with breathtaking panoramic views. To earn the thrill, you climb 8-12 miles on forest service roads. Once you hit the trail, there is a little work, some minor technical, and then it’s all downhill for over three hours! Lots of loops and offshoot options including; Tire Mt, Cloverpath, North Fork and more..

Larison Creek – Highly technical single-track, particularly at the top. The ride starts from camp, up three miles of paved road, then ten of gradually climbing fire road to the trailhead. The Creek ride is the perfect test of skill and courage. Extreme switchbacks, exposed roots, and stream crossings are a few of the challenges. About halfway down, it opens up and lets you ride, almost continually. Around two hours on the trail then a couple miles of downhill pavement back to camp.

Larison Rock – Fun, short, and quick, with patches of technical. A five-mile paved climb from camp puts you at the trailhead. The trail winds down the hills over camp. Although mostly smooth and fast, it slows down for some steep narrows and tight spots. Plan for 2-3 hours, round-trip from camp.

Heckle Tooth (20-50 miles) – The other epic ride – An easy ride from camp puts you on the Salmon Creek Trail. Then it is up the fire lane, how far is your choice – the higher, the harder. The 20-mile loop climbs for six-miles before you enter the trail, a speed zone through the rolling hills and generous switchbacks. The 35-mile loop adds elevation plus climbing. It is only a steep climb in a couple of spots early and the reward is that you ride down the edge of the mountains. The 50-miler is a rider’s ride – tight, technical switchbacks and obstacles reward the extra climb. Not for the weak!

Salmon Creek – A beautiful ride up the river to the Salmon Creek Falls. This flat, groomed trail runs right through camp and includes a variety of local points of interest along the ride. There are no hills or obstacles. A straight round trip is about 12 miles. For a harder Option: Cross the Salmon Creek Bridge for rolling hills with some technical patches. Gain some vertical with a trip up Dead Mountain then back on the Flat Creek Trail.

Driving and Motorcycle Routes

A favorite paved route for road motorcycles from Café to Harleys is the Oakridge/McKenzie/Bend/Cascade loop

This amazing ride includes rivers, waterfalls, lakes and much more and much of the ride is on very low traffic roads.

The ride starts in Oakridge, from there head to Westfir (3 miles away) and get on the Aufderheide Scenic Byway (Forest Service RD 19) ride on the Aufderheide for 56 miles until you reach HWY 126 at McKenzie Bridge, follow 126 until you reach HWY 242 The Old McKenzie HWY Pass, ride 242 into Sisters…ride from Sisters to Bend, once in Bend get on Century Drive, Century becomes the Cascade Lake HWY, follow it until it intersects with the Davis Lake cut off Rd, once there head towards HWY 58 and then follow HWY 58 back to Oakridge.

Another low traffic route is the newly paved route between Oakridge and Cottage Grove.

Take HWY 58 east and turn off on the Hill Creek Res exit, drive one mile and turn onto Diamond Blv (Forest Service RD 21) drive a couple miles and then turn onto Larison Rock RD (Forest Service RD 2102) follow the pavement…DO NOT follow the signs to Cottage Grove, as they have not been changed for the new paved route…just watch for pavement at junctions, there is only one paved route.

Birding and Wildlife Viewing

Birders will tell you that this area is unparalled for sighting raptors of many varieties, including ospreys, bald eagles, Hawks, and Peregrine falcons. Cranes, owls, wild turkeys, geese, ducks, grebes, and pheasant also abound, in addition to a generous sampling of native oregon and migratory hummingbirds, swallows, finches, woodpeckers, wrens and chickadees.

The area is also home to hurds of elk and deer, drawing hunters to the area each fall. You'll also find bears, mountain lions, foxes, and other nocturnal species. Take care when hiking late or early in the day!

Fishing

Some of the finest fishing in Oregon can be found in the forests surrounding Oakridge and Westfir. Brown and rainbow trout, croppie, salmon, and cat fish can be caught, depending on where you are and the season. The Willamette River and Salmon Creek provide relaxing locations for river fly fishing, and if you prefer dipping your line in a lake you'll find many in the area that will entice you. Of special note is Waldo Lake, about 35 miles east of Oakridge off Highwway 58, one of the purest lakes in the country. It is so pure, in fact, that gas powered motorized boats, generators and chainsaws are prohibited. Avoid Waldo Lake in early summer though, as it swarms with mosquitos.

Camping

Love the smell of a campfire? There are many lovely campsites available in the Willamette National Forest that surrounds Oakridge and Westfir. From the cool darkness of Black Canyon to the crashing waterfall of Salmon Creek, from developed to primitive, RV to packback, there's something for every camper.

Skiing/Snowboarding/Winter Sports

Why hassle with Hood? Why bother with Bachelor? Enjoy the slopes at Willamette Pass. Shorter lines, plenty of powder, and easily accessible. Stay in participating Oakridge/Westfir Area Chamber of Commerce Motels or Bed and Breakfasts and receive special winter discounts from December 15, 2009 to February 28, 2010. See sidebar for more information.