Central Oregon Hikes
Central
Oregon is known throughout the West as a recreational
mecca—skiing, mountain biking, kayaking and hiking. It
attracts visitors from the urban areas of Oregon,
Washington and other states. As a result, the forests and
deserts within 50 miles of Bend are heavily-used and
impacted. But beyond this 50-mile radius are thousands of
acres of federally-owned lands that are less visited.
Download
(PDF, 280 KB): Central Oregon
Regional Map
These more remote lands in Central Oregon are divided into
two distinct natural landscapes, each defined by elevation
and the amount of rainfall it receives:
Sagebrush
and Juniper Steppe
• Lower elevation lands (below 4,000’)
• 8-12 inches of rain per year
• Expanses of sagebrush with scattered juniper forests
• Mostly in the public domain and managed by the BLM
• Few paved roads, campgrounds or water sources
Ponderosa
Pine and Fir Forests
• Higher elevation lands (4,000’ to 8,000’)
• 20-30 inches of rain per year
• Mountainous terrain with mixed pine, fir and larch
forests
• Mostly publicly-owned and managed by the Forest Service
• Good road networks, campgrounds and water supplies
While the sagebrush country of Central Oregon offers many
wonderful and remote day hikes, we feel the national
forests here are the more appealing choice — especially
during the hot summer hiking season of June through
September. Thus, our Central Oregon hikes focus on these
three, less-visited national forests:
>
Hikes in Malheur
National Forest
>
Hikes in Fremont
National Forest
>
Hikes in Ochoco National
Forest
NOTE:
Deschutes National
Forest is absent from this list, due to its proximity to
Bend and the intense trail use it receives. However, if
interested in less-traveled explorations within a day’s
drive of Bend, see our sister website: Central Oregon
Geographica
To
locate hikes in Central Oregon, click on your area of
interest:
Page last updated: 12/17/11