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Detroit Ranger District

The Detroit Ranger District is located in the northern part of the Willamette National Forest, bordering Mt. Hood National Forest and the Warm Springs Indian Reservation.

This area is accessible from the west on Highway 22 from Salem, from the east on Highway 22 via Highway 20/126 from the Santiam Pass area, or from the north on Forest Road 46 from the Mt. Hood National Forest.

Camping: Here you will find popular campgrounds in the Detroit Lake Area, as well as Breitenbush Campground and Shady Cove Campground that serve as the base for adventures such as hiking, horseback riding, OHV riding, swimming, and more.

Hiking: Incredible vistas await while backpacking in the Mt. Jefferson - Jefferson Park Trail Area. Many day hiking opportunities can be found throughout the district such as the Detroit Reservoir Trail Area and Coffin Mountain Trail Area.

Other Recreation: Many areas offer great boating and swimming such as the Detroit Lake Area, Elk Lake Campground, and Three Pools Day Use Area.

Recreation Sites

Showing: 41 - 50 of 71 results

McCoy Snowmobile Area

Site Open
Winter Sports
Catch views of the High Cascades from various places along routes in this snowmobile area. There are two parking lots, and the area offers a variety of loops along groomed forest roads that lead to…

Minto Mountain Trailhead

Site Open
Hiking
This trailhead provides access to:Minto Mountain Trail #3448See Trail page for more information.

Mt. Jefferson Wilderness: Willamette

Site Open
Mt. Jefferson is the dominant feature of this High Cascades area, along with  Three Fingered Jack (7,841 feet). Mt. Jefferson's slopes are mantled by five glaciers: Whitewater, Waldo, Milk Creek,…

Opal Creek Scenic Recreation Area

Site Closed
Outdoor Science and Learning Water Activities Hiking
Travel Oregon’s “Grant’s Getaways” features the Opal Creek WildernessThis popular destination, known for its great beauty where old growth towers above the Little North Santiam River, is…

Opal Creek Wilderness

Site Closed
Horse Riding and Camping Hiking
The 20,454 acre Opal Creek Wilderness features steep and rugged forested hillsides. The eastern portion of the area encompasses the headwaters of two major creeks (Battle Axe Creek and Opal Creek)…

Pamelia Lake Trailhead

Site Open
Hiking
This trailhead provides access to:Pamelia Lake Trail #3439Grizzly Peak Trail #3428Hunts Creek Trail #3440Hunts Cove Trail #3430Old Hunts Cove Trail #3451Pacific Crest Trail #2000See trail pages for…

Phantom Bridge Trailhead

Site Open
Hiking
This trailhead provides access to:Elkhorn Ridge Trail #3347French Creek Trail #3349See Trail page for more information.

Last updated May 1st, 2025