In this National Forest you may see a great variety of wildlife, including more big-game species than any other Forest in Oregon and Washington. Over 350 species of wildlife can be found in the Forest. Species include mule deer, Rocky Mountain Bighorn sheep, elk, mountain goats, cougars, bob cat, Pacific Rattle snake, rubber boa snake, golden eagle, and bald eagle.

Many of the towns in the surrounding area sprang up as a result of mining and the activities associated with it. Sheep and cattle browse on approximately 1,868,000 acres of grazing land. You'll see forests of ponderosa pine, western larch, Douglas and other firs. These forests are managed as sustainable ecosystems to provide clean water, wildlife habitat, recreation and valuable forest products. You may want to visit the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area (HCNRA) designated by Congress in 1975. It includes the Hells Canyon Wilderness and Rapid and Snake River segments of the National Wild and Scenic River System.

The Forest is the setting for year-around recreation. In winter you can enjoy downhill and cross-country skiing and snowmobiling at many areas of the Forest, including Anthony Lakes Ski Area, 40 miles northwest of Baker. Hells Canyon is beautiful in the springtime. There you'll want to enjoy the 900 miles of hiking trails and great hiking loops, white-water boating, mild temperatures and colorful wildflowers. You can spend your summers fishing and swimming in the Forest's many lakes, rivers, streams and reservoirs, backpacking on over 2,000 miles of varied hiking trails, or mountain biking on numerous dirt roads and single track trails. Most of the Forest's trail are free of snow from July to October. You can camp at one of the many campgrounds on the Forest, perhaps at Union Creek Campground (20 miles south of Baker) with its modern facilities and lakeshore accommodations. Brilliant fall colors will delight you as you drive the National Scenic Byways and the several hundred miles of road maintained for passenger car travel.

With over 2,300 miles of sparkling streams and 130 lakes and reservoirs to choose from, the Forest and surrounding area has the perfect fishing hole for the experienced or beginning angler. From the bottom of Hell's Canyon to the high country of the Wallowa Mountains or Elkhorn Range, a variety of fish await your discovery. Try the Snake River for crappie, bluegills, perch, bullheads, bass, and sturgeon (sturgeon must re released). Many of the high country lakes are stocked with rainbow trout. Many of the area reservoirs contain rainbow trout, large and smallmouth bass, crappie, bass, and coho salmon (in the Phillips Reservoir).

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