Winter Recreation

Yes, there are winter recreation activities in the Tillamook State Forest. Many anglers are enjoying winter steelhead fishing, families are building snowmen and throwing snowballs, boot prints and motorcycle tracks have been seen on a few trails, and there are even a few cold weather campers enjoying the winter fun.

Winter is great time to experience the forest under a blanket of snow if you are prepared. It's easy to get all of the information you need to have an enjoyable forest adventure.

Please remember, forest roads are not plowed like state highways or rural neighborhoods.  It is easy for vehicles to become stuck in even the smallest amount of snow.

• Check the weather forecast.  National Weather Service 
• Check road conditions. Oregon TripCheck
• Check the forest road and trail report. Oregon Department of Forestry
• Read ODOT's Winter Travel Tips
• Pack your hats, gloves, boots, jackets, food, water, and everything else you need for your chosen activity to have a safe and enjoyable adventure.

Temporary Trail Closures in Rogers Basin

The Gravelle Brothers Trail is temporarily closed between University Falls and the Devils Lake Fork of Wilson River due to timber harvest activity. Once harvest activity is completed, the trail will reopen immediately. 

We apologize for the inconvenience. If you have any questions regarding the closure, please contact Joe Offer, Recreation Operations Manager, at (503)359-7464.

Fire Season & Regulated Use Terminated

Effective Monday, October 24, 2022 at 9:00 AM, Fire Season and Regulated Use for the Northwest Oregon Area is terminated.  This includes state managed lands of the Clatsop and Tillamook State Forests.

Off-Season Camping on the Tillamook State Forest

Seasonal campgrounds across the Tillamook State Forest closed for the season on Monday, October 3rd.

Even with the move to ODF's recreational off-season, many opportunities for camping across the forest still exist. Please check out the Campgrounds page for information on specific campgrounds.

Additionally, recreational use and overnight camping is permitted across the forest throughout the year in primitive sites. Please practice leave-no-trace principles and pack all trash out when on the forest.

Fire Danger Level & Public Use Restrictions Change

Fire Danger Change

Effective Wednesday, September 28, 2022 at NOON, Fire Danger for public use restrictions will change to:

• NW1: Moderate (blue)
• NW2: Moderate (blue)
• NW3: Moderate (blue)

Public use restrictions will change including:

• Campfires in designated campsites only.
• OHV trails will be open all day.

For additional information about public use restrictions, please visit our website at:   https://gisapps.odf.oregon.gov/firerestrictions/PFR.html

Campground Reservation Survey Assistance Needed

The ODF Recreation Team is completing a feasibility study on increasing the number of campgrounds available through online reservations and is hoping to understand the overall interest of recreationalists of all sorts.

If you are interested, please help out the program by taking the short survey found HERE.

All information collected will allow the program to better understand how to move forward with reservations across the Tillamook, Clatsop, and Santiam state forests. At this point, no management decision have been made and the information from this survey will help to inform planning for years to come.

Thank you for your interest and help in influencing the future of recreation on ODF lands.

ODF Reservation Survey

Fire Danger Change

 Fire Danger Change

Effective Tuesday, August 16, 2022 at 1:00 AM, Fire Danger for public use restrictions will change to:

• NW1:  Moderate (blue) - no change
• NW2:  High (yellow)
• NW3:  High (yellow)

IFPLs Stay the Same

The following IFPLs will remain in place:

• NW1:  IFPL1
• NW2:  IPFL2
• NW3:  IFPL2

Track changes online at:  https://www.oregon.gov/odf/fire/pages/restrictions.aspx

What this means for forest visitors:

• OHV trails in the Tillamook and Clatsop State Forests are closed to OHV use from 1:00 PM to 8:00 PM each day while the fire danger remains in High.

• Campfires are only allowed in the metal fire pits installed by the Oregon Department of Forestry in designated recreation areas.

Kilchis Forest Road Closure at Milepost 8.5

On the west side of the Tillamook State Forest, Kilchis Forest Road will be closed at roughly the 8.5 mile mark for bridge work through October of this year.

The road will be accessible up to the work area from the west on Kilchis River Road and from the east via Cedar Butte Road.

Beaver Dam Road Bridge Replacement & Road Closure

Effective Monday, July 18, 2022

Beaver Dam Road will be closed from the junction with Firebreak One Road to the 3-way stop at the 2.25 mile marker for a bridge replacement project.  The closure will remain in place for the duration of the bridge replacement project.

The route is anticipated to re-open in mid-November 2022.

A detour on University Falls Road is available.  (see map).  Visitors are cautioned that the detour is on a narrow road with two-way traffic.  Use of a CB radio to monitor and alert oncoming road traffic is advised.

South Lousignont Road Closure & Bridge Replacement

 Effective Wednesday, June 15, 2022

South Lousignont Road is closed at the bridge near the junction with Lousignont Road for the duration of the bridge replacement project.

The route is anticipated to re-open in July 2022. 

A detour on Morgan Creek Road is available. (see map)  Visitors are cautioned that the detour is on a narrow road with two-way traffic.  Use of CB radio to monitor and alert road traffic is advised.

Public Comment Period for Cook Creek Road Environmental Assessment

The Oregon Department of Forestry is planning a project to relocate the damaged portion of Cook Creek Road in Tillamook County restoring access to the basin. The planned project will be partially funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and includes an environmental assessment under the National Environmental Policy Act.  The Department is inviting the public to provide substantive comments on the information and analysis provided in the draft Environmental Assessment. A copy of the official public notice and draft environmental assessment can be found on ODF’s webpage at: https://oregonforestry.wpengine.com/

Rogers Camp Trailhead Closed on Sunday, March 13th

Rogers Camp Trailhead will be closed again on Sunday, March 13th. The Washington County Sherriff's Office will be conducting further search and rescue (SAR) activities around the summit of Hwy 6. All trail users can expect to see SAR activity on non-motorized and motorized trails throughout Rogers Basin.

Please plan to utilize other trailheads in the area if you are planning on enjoying the forest during the SAR operations, and please respect all SAR activities.

Rogers Camp Trailhead Closed Sunday, March 6th

Rogers Camp Trailhead, at the summit of Hwy 6 in the Tillamook State Forest, will be closed on Sunday March 6th. Search and rescue (SAR) professionals and volunteers from Tillamook and Washington Counties will be in the area and utilizing the trailhead to conduct their work. As such, trail users in the area may see SAR activity on non-motorized and motorized trails throughout the Rogers Basin.

If you are planning to be in the area, please consider using other trailheads in the vicinity and please respect all SAR activities.