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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: 1 - 10 of 131 results

Bachelor Mountain Trail #3420

Hiking
The 1.9 mile trail meanders through an older Noble fir and Douglas-fir forest. Wildflowers are abundant along the rocky openings and the former lookout site offers panoramic views of the cascades

Bachelor Mountain Trailhead

Site Open
Hiking
This trailhead provides access to:Bachelor Mountain Trail #3420Bruno Meadows Trail #3424Bugaboo Ridge Trail #3423See Trail page for more information.

Battle Ax Creek Trail #3339

Hiking Horse Riding and Camping
This 4 mile trail described from east to west initially climbs to Beachie Saddle at the Opal Creek Wilderness boundary. The trail then starts descending along the Battle Ax creek drainage. The trail…

Battle Ax Creek Trailhead

Site Open
Hiking
This trailhead provides access to:Battle Ax Creek Trail #3339Battle Ax Mountain Trail #3340Beachie Trail #3341See Trail page for more information.

Battle Ax Mountain Trail #3340

Hiking Horse Riding and Camping
This trail is a challenging scramble up steep, loose soil and rock slopes to the top of Battle Ax Lookout which has spectacular views of the Cascades.

Bear Point Trail #3342

Hiking
From South Breitenbush Trail this 1.8 mile trail splits off and heads into an open slope switchbacks up the steep, rocky face to the top of Bear Point. Nice views of Bear Lake, Mount Jefferson and…

Big Meadows Horse Camp

Site Open
Horse Riding and Camping Hiking
Big Meadows Horse Camp is near the Mt. Jefferson Wilderness. Several miles of loop trails radiate from the campground through nearby forest areas.The campground provides access to: Duffy Lake Trail…

Big Meadows Loop Trail #3456

Hiking Horse Riding and Camping
Trail starts on the old road bed of Forest Service Road 587 just south of Fay Lake. It winds south and east through Douglas-Fir, Western Hemlock forest then ties in with Big Meadows Tie Trail #3434. 

Big Meadows Loop Trailhead

Site Open
Horse Riding and Camping Hiking
This trailhead provides access to:Big Meadows Loop Trail #3456Big Meadows Tie Trail #3434Duffy Lake Trail #3427

Last updated August 15, 2025