Christmas Trees

Happy Holidays!

Thanks to everyone who has called to start the Holiday Season off on the right foot by checking to see if Christmas tree cutting is allowed on State Forests.  We really appreciate everyone working to "do the right thing" on State Forest lands.

Oregon's State Forests don't issue permits for or allow cutting of Christmas trees.  There are great opportunities to cut your own Christmas trees on most National Forests and at local Christmas tree farms.

Here are some resources to help you find the best place to cut your Christmas tree:

Links for more information on cutting Christmas trees in National Forests:

Mt. Hood National Forest

Siuslaw National Forest

Links for information on private Christmas tree farms:

Pick Your Own Christmas Tree

Oregon Farm Bureau

Fire Season is Over

Effective Sunday, October 1, 2023 at 1:00 AM fire season ended in the area that encompasses the Tillamook and Clatsop State Forests.

Seasonal Campgrounds Begin to Close on State Forest Land

The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) is closing some campground operations on the Clatsop, Tillamook, and Santiam state forests as it does each year as part of its transition to winter operations. On Oct. 2 all seasonal developed campgrounds will be closing, followed by the closure of all seasonal Off Highway Vehicle (OHV) campgrounds on Oct. 31. One exception to the closure plan will be Northrup Creek Horse Camp Campground in the Clatsop State Forest, which will remain open until Dec. 1.

The closures are primarily done for public safety and are impacted by seasonal staffing levels. “As we move into fall, keeping Oregonians safe in the forest is important. With snowfall, high winds, and heavy rainfall it’s essential that we close some campgrounds as conditions change and many become inaccessible,” said Joe Offer, ODF’s Recreation Operations Manager.

Even with the closures, some camping opportunities will remain open and available through the winter months. More information on recreation opportunities at State Forest campgrounds can be found on the ODF webpage or on the campgrounds tab of this blog.

Fire Danger Level for Public Use Restrictions at Low / Green

Effective Monday, September 25, 2023 at Noon.

The fire danger level for public use restrictions dropped down to Low / Green.  

This is in effect for the entire Tillamook State Forest.

High Fire Danger and Public Use Restrictions on Eastern Side of Tillamook State Forest

The Northwest Oregon Forest Protective Association has declared "High Fire Danger" on the east side of the Tillamook State Forest as of 1:00am this morning (Thursday, September 14^th).

With the change to "high" fire danger and its associated public use restrictions, OHV trail riding will be prohibited between the hours of 1pm and 8pm on the forest's eastern half. These regulations will be enforced by ODF staff and law enforcement officials at the impacted OHV Areas. Specifically, this impacts all trails out of Browns Camp OHV Staging Area and Campground, Rogers Camp Staging Area, Lyda Camp OHV Staging Area, and trails heading east from Jordan Creek OHV Staging Area and Campground.

All trails out of Diamond Mill OHV Staging Area and Campground, Cedar Creek Dispersed Camping Area, west of Jordan Creek Staging Area and Campground, and the Trask OHV Riding Area remain open all day.

Tillamook State Forest road restrictions help with deer and elk management during hunting seasons

TILLAMOOK, Ore—The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) will resume road restrictions this fall in the western part of the Tillamook State Forest to improve deer and elk escapement during hunting season.

Some roads will be closed to motorized use during the general archery and rifle hunting seasons in September, October and November. Selected roads in the Trask, Wilson and Nehalem River areas will be gated and signed. Controlled access during the three-month period is designed to reduce hunting pressure in these areas.

Hunters and other recreational users are welcome to access the gated areas by foot, mountain bike, horse, or other non-motorized means.

ODF partners with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) and Tillamook Chapter of the Oregon Hunters Association in this program. The partnership has been in place for 20 years and the location of gates changes year to year based on access needs, stand conditions and operations.

Motorized access by ODF staff or contractors working in those areas may occur on occasion. Maps of the road management areas are available at the Tillamook ODF office located at 5005 Third St., Tillamook and at the ODF road closure website. Scroll down the page to “Tillamook State Forest Road Report” to find the maps.

If you have questions about the road management program, contact Harold Stevens at the Tillamook ODF office, (503) 842-2545, or Paul Atwood at the Tillamook ODFW office, (503) 842-2741.

Moderate Fire Danger and Public Use Restrictions on Tillamook and Clatsop State Forests, Starting August 29th

The Northwest Oregon Forest Protective Association (ODF's Astoria, Forest Grove, and Tillamook Districts) will be dropping down to "Moderate Fire Danger" on Tuesday, August 29th at 0100.  This area includes the Clatsop and Tillamook State Forests.

With the change to "moderate" fire danger and its associated public use restrictions, OHV trail riding will again be allowed throughout the day. However, campfires will remain limited to developed facilities (ODF managed campgrounds and day-use areas with metal fire rings).

High Fire Danger and Public Use Restrictions on Tillamook and Clatsop State Forests, Starting August 4th

The Northwest Oregon Forest Protective Association (Astoria, Forest Grove, and Tillamook Districts) will be entering into "High Fire Danger" on Friday, August 4^th at 0100.  This area includes the Clatsop and Tillamook State Forests.

With the change to "high" fire danger and its associated public use restrictions, OHV trail riding will be prohibited between the hours of 1pm and 8pm. These regulations will be enforced by ODF staff and law enforcement officials at all OHV riding areas on both forests.

Campgrounds to Open on Friday, May 19th

All seasonal campgrounds across the Tillamook State Forest will be opening on Friday, May 19th.

From west to east the following campgrounds will be opening their gates Friday morning:

• Nehalem Falls Campground
• Morrison Eddy Campground
• Jones Creek Campground
• Gales Creek Campground
• Reehers Camp Campground

Additionally, the remaining seasonal campgrounds on the Clatsop and Santiam State Forests will be opening on Friday as well.

OHV Campgrounds to Open in Early April (UPDATED APRIL 6TH)

With the beginning of spring comes the opening of OHV campgrounds on the Tillamook State Forest!

Jordan Creek OHV Campground, on the western side of the forest, will be opening for the season this Saturday, April 1st. The campground is a great starting point for rides on the forest's trails and a hub for many long motorcycle adventures.

Browns Camp OHV Campground, near the summit of HWY 6, will open the following week on Friday, April 14th. Currently, Browns Camp is still under feet of snow from the recent storms, but the ODF Recreation Team is working hard to plow the campground loops and reopen the facility's sites. Browns Camp is one of the best sites to access the forest's 4x4 trails.

Please continue to keep an eye out for additional information about the opening of more campgrounds across the forest.

Road Condition Update - North Fork Wolf Creek Road

On Saturday, January 14, 2023, the small slope failure pictured was reported at the 3/4 mile marker on the North Fork Wolf Creek Road, just off of Highway 26.  This slow moving slide is partially blocking road access and, with additional rain, could continue to move.

Visitors to this area are asked to use caution if choosing to drive past the slope failure.

Happy New Year

Thanks to Scott Wilson, Dave Klug and Ron Hughs who kicked off 2023 with a New Year's volunteer work party.  

The three spent a six hour day clearing trees that fell during the recent storms to open OHV trails in the Tillamook State Forest.

Temporary OHV Trail Closure - #25 Elliott Creek Trail

 #25 Elliott Creek Trail is closed due to timber sale activity.  This closure is in place 7 days per week until the end of the timber sale activity.

The trail will re-open once sale activity is complete and trail is safe to open.