Deschutes National Forest

Deschutes National Forest
IUCN category VI (protected area with sustainable use of natural resources)

Todd Lake and Mount Bachelor
Map showing the location of Deschutes National Forest
Location Oregon, USA
Nearest city Bend, Oregon
Coordinates 44°00′00″N 121°30′00″W / 44.00000°N 121.50000°W / 44.00000; -121.50000Coordinates: 44°00′00″N 121°30′00″W / 44.00000°N 121.50000°W / 44.00000; -121.50000
Area 1,596,900 acres (6,462 km2)[1]
Established July 1, 1908[2]
Visitors 3,162,000[3] (in 2006)
Governing body U.S. Forest Service
Website Deschutes National Forest

The Deschutes National Forest is a United States National Forest located in parts of Deschutes, Klamath, Lake, and Jefferson counties in central Oregon. It comprises 1.8 million acres (7,300 km2) along the east side of the Cascade Range.[4] In 1908, the Deschutes National Forest was established from parts of the Blue Mountains, Cascade, and Fremont National Forests. In 1911, parts of the Deschutes National Forest were split off to form the Ochoco and Paulina National Forests, and parts of the Cascade and Oregon National Forests were added to the Deschutes. In 1915, the lands of the Paulina National Forest were rejoined to the Deschutes National Forest.[5] A 1993 Forest Service study estimated that the extent of old growth in the forest was 348,100 acres (140,900 ha).[6] Within the boundaries of the Deschutes National Forest is the Newberry National Volcanic Monument, containing cinder cones, lava flows, and lava tubes. The Deschutes National Forest as a whole contains in excess of 250 known caves.[7] The forest also contains five wilderness areas, six National Wild and Scenic Rivers, the Oregon Cascade Recreation Area, and the Metolius Conservation Area. Forest headquarters are located in Bend, Oregon. There are local ranger district offices in Bend, Crescent, and Sisters.[8]

Recreational activities in Deschutes National Forest include boating, fishing, wildlife watching, and hiking, as well as mountain biking on an extensive system of trails.[9] Hiking and skiing can be done on Mount Bachelor, a stratovolcano in the Cascade Range.

Wilderness areas

There are five officially designated wilderness areas within Deschutes National Forest that are part of the National Wilderness Preservation System. All of them are shared administratively with neighboring National Forests (as indicated).

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Land Areas of the National Forest System" (PDF). U.S. Forest Service. January 2012. Retrieved June 30, 2012.
  2. ↑ "The National Forests of the United States" (PDF). ForestHistory.org. Retrieved July 30, 2012.
  3. ↑ Revised Visitation Estimates (PDF) - National Forest Service
  4. ↑ "McKenzie Pass-Santiam Pass Scenic Byway: Deschutes National Forest, OR". America's Byways. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Transportation. 2006. Retrieved December 31, 2006.
  5. ↑ "About the Forest" from the U.S. Forest Service.
  6. ↑ Bolsinger, Charles L.; Waddell, Karen L. (1993). "Area of old-growth forests in California, Oregon, and Washington" (PDF). United States Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station. Resource Bulletin PNW-RB-197.
  7. ↑ Maben, Scott (March 11, 1994). "Guidelines Set to Save C.O. Caves". The Bulletin. Bend, Oregon. p. B-1. Retrieved October 18, 2009.
  8. ↑ USFS Ranger Districts by State (PDF)
  9. ↑ Recreation from the U.S. Forest Service.
  10. ↑ Mount Thielsen Wilderness acreage breakdown, Wilderness.net
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