Siuslaw National Forest Guide
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While driving along the coast of Oregon, visitors get an unusual sight of trees marching out of the ocean to populate the hills of the Oregon Coast Range with a green blanket that sways with the breeze. When you see this, you know you are in the Siuslaw National Forest. Hidden under the 630,000 acres of forest are majestic dunes, streams filled with fish, sparkling lakes, and hills reaching over 3,000 feet in elevation. The woods are a product of the abundant rainfall and temperate climate that make up this part of the Pacific Northwest. Set aside by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1908 as a protected zone, this forest is visited by millions each year who are traveling to and from the coast via interior valleys housing towns like Corvallis, Salem, or Eugene, OR.
RV Rentals Near Siuslaw National Forest
Siuslaw National Forest Hiking Trails
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Drift Creek Falls Trail
Drift Creek Falls Trail is an easy hike up Drift Creek to the waterfall, marking the divide between the coastal plain and the Oregon Coast Range. Along the way, hikers are greeted with moss-covered rocks, fallen snags, and an encroaching sense of nature.
Length: 3.8 miles
Intensity: Easy
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Summit Loop Trail
The Summit Loop Trail is a well-marked pathway to the summit of Mary’s Peak—the highest point along the Oregon Coast Range. Though the path takes you to and around the summit, it is reasonably flat. During the entire hike, you duck in and out of the Douglas fir canopy to find spectacular views of the valleys below.
Length: 1.1 miles
Intensity: Easy to Intermediate
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Heceta Head Trail
Heceta Head Trail features a lighthouse, a beach, and a fantastic view of waves crashing against the colossal rocks that edge the sea. Though the trail is short and aided with steps carved into steep grades, the action of the waves and the perpetual fogs make for slick hiking. Along this path, you get a glimpse of what pioneers found when they arrived.
Length: 1.6 miles
Intensity: Intermediate
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Cummins Creek Trail
During the first half of the Cummins Creek Trail, you elevate at a gradual rate giving you plenty of time to see the effects of the coastal winds on trees and other fauna. The last half of the journey is much more difficult with a grade that elevates you 500 feet over a half-mile run. The early morning fogs slicken rocks in this area, so watch your step.
Length: 6.0 miles
Intensity: Intermediate to Difficult
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Hart’s Cove Trail
The difficulty in negotiating Hart’s Cove Trail is mitigated by the wildlife, dense forests, and incredible ocean views you experience along the way. At times, you are hiking under a dense Douglas fir canopy that blocks out the sun. When you abruptly emerge into a sun-filled meadow with overlooks of the Oregon coast, you see sights you will remember for the rest of your life.
Length: 13.9 miles
Intensity: Difficult
Activities in Siuslaw National Forest
The Siuslaw National Forest enjoys the benefits of two significant forces. The climate is temperate so that plants are free to grow without the restrictions experienced by flora in arid areas. Along with the favorable environment is the immense amount of precipitation the region experiences. These two forces combine to create a climate friendly to plant life that welcomes interesting, new species you won't see anywhere else.
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Nature Watching
The wildlife in Siuslaw National Forest is much as it was when the first pioneers ventured into Oregon. Brown bears, black bears, coyotes, skunk, porcupine, white-tailed deer, and a healthy assortment of birds are but a few of those you find here.
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Fishing
Angling is a favorite sport for visitors to the Siuslaw National Forest. Tidal estuaries provide a grocery store for live bait, and shoreline rocks offer hiding spots for large fish where the wily angler catches his limit. Lakes and streams inside this forest are filled with trout.
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Geocaching
Geocaching is welcomed in the Siuslaw National Forest in sections not designated as wilderness areas. There are three wilderness areas inside the forest—Drift Creek Wilderness, Cummins Creek Wilderness, and Rock Creek Wilderness. To ensure you are not planting your cache in an unauthorized section of the forest, drop by the Visitor Center to secure a map.
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Stargazing
Stargazing is often an issue at the Siuslaw National Forest. The low elevation coupled with fog and clouds obscure the night sky most of the year along the coast. In the higher elevations, though, the night sky lights up like a room full of candles.
How to get to Siuslaw National Forest
Address: 3200 SW Jefferson Way, Corvallis, OR 97331
Fee: Entry fee $0
Many roads pass through sections of the Siuslaw National Forest. Using an RV takes advantage of those roads. You can drive into state parks, towns, and up to trailheads throughout the forest. The only place you cannot take an RV is into one of the three wilderness areas inside the forest. For hikers, it is an ideal situation when they use an RV. They can leave for a hike in the morning, knowing they have a comfortable spot to return in the evening.
Frequently Asked Questions About Siuslaw National Forest
What is the closest town to Siuslaw National Forest?
Salem, Oregon is one of the closest towns to Siuslaw National Forest. As Oregon's capital city, Salem is big enough to have plenty of restaurants, places to stay or camp, grocery stores, and spots to stock up on anything you need while camping. You can also spend a day or two exploring the town.
Is there a fee to get into Siuslaw National Forest?
There is no fee to get into Siuslaw National Forest. However, there are fees to use certain day-use areas. There are also permits or fees required for some recreational activities like camping, cutting down trees, or hunting.
Is there a limit to how long you can camp in Siuslaw National Forest?
Yes, there is a limit to how long you can camp in Siuslaw National Forest. You may camp for a maximum of 14 days out of every 30 in the forest before needing to move.
What is the best time to visit Siuslaw National Forest?
Summer is the best time to visit the Siuslaw National Forest. The weather is at its warmest, and visitors can hike, fish, swim, and paddle in the forest lakes and rivers. However, summer is also the most popular time to visit the forest and the more popular day-use areas could get crowded.
What type of wildlife lives in Siuslaw National Forest?
Wildlife living in the Siuslaw National Forest includes Roosevelt elk, black bears, sea lions, pelicans, and bald eagles. There is a variety of butterflies, plus many birds and fish that also call the forest home.
