What to See and Do
Hiking and Biking
Rooster Rock to Trout Creek
This point-to-point trail takes you to Rooster Rock, then downhill on Trout Creek Trail. At the end of the trail, you could get a ride back to the starting point or walk along the road.
Length: 5.3 miles
Intensity: Hard
Iron Mountain Trail
View the beautiful lava and rock formations when you take the Iron Mountain Trail hike. Along the route, you'll also enjoy high meadows and vista views. You will be able to see Mount Jefferson, Mount Hood and Mount Washington.
Length: 3.2 miles
Intensity: Hard
Cone Peak Trail
Cone Peak Trail is perfect for enjoying your lunch at the peak because there is a deck. You'll have a stunning view of the surrounding Cascade Range.
Length: 6.1 miles
Intensity: Moderate
Lower Soda Creek Falls Trail
Soda Creek Falls, located at the end of the trail, is 150 feet tall. Along this hike, you may see wildflowers, ferns, cedar trees, maple trees and Douglas fir trees.
Length: 1.4 miles
Intensity: Easy
Fishing and Boating
An abundance of native cutthroat and rainbow trout reside in Elkhorn Creek Wild and Scenic River. Other nearby areas where you could go fishing are Santiam River and Detroit Lake. Freshwater sockeye salmon is a species you may want to target at Detroit Lake. Santiam River features salmon, trout and steelhead. Boating is also allowed at all of these bodies of water.
Climbing
Cascade Range offers plenty of climbing opportunities with some of the popular locations including Smith Rock State Park, Three Fingered Jack, Mount Jefferson and Mount Washington.The towering rock walls at Smith Rock State Park are up to 500 feet tall. If you're seeking a challenge, try Three Sisters, which is considered the most difficult climb in the area.
Wildlife Viewing
You might see an Oregon slender salamander, which is an endemic species to Oregon, at Elkhorn Creek Wild and Scenic River. This salamander likes hiding under rocks, wood chips and wood and inside decomposing logs. You could see bats in the area, particularly around cliffs, bridges, mines and caves. In Willamette National forest, you may spot Roosevelt elk, mule deer, Northern bald eagles, bobcats or black bears.
Picnicking
Elkhorn Valley Recreation Site offers picnicking sites in a majestic forested setting. There are emerald pools and waterfalls that you'll want to view at the recreation site too.
