Siuslaw National Forest

When visiting the Siuslaw you will find that the coastal weather is constantly changing in mood. One winter day may bring a violent storm with rain by the bucketfuls, the following day may be clear, calm and sunny. Summer fog is common and temperatures remain mild year round.

The highest point on the forest is Mary's Peak with an elevation of 4,097 feet. On a clear day the view is spectacular, stretching from the ocean to the Cascade Range. Cascade Head Scenic/Research Area, Cape Perpetua and the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area are just a few of the main scenic attractions on the coast.

Further inland, the many streams provide for a fisherman's delight. Berry picking is very popular with visitors as well as residents. The dense forests, combined with continual timber harvest provide habitat for a variety of big game, including black-tailed deer and Roosevelt elk.

Visitors find a variety of things to do including beachcombing, fishing, crabbing, hiking, boating, hunting and sand dune touring. The Forest offers diverse hiking opportunities ranging from walks on the beach to lengthy wilderness trails. In total there are over 100 miles of hiking trails in the Forest, including a section of the Oregon Coast Trail.

The Siuslaw contains three wilderness areas totaling 22,600 acres. The wilderness areas are: Cummins Creek, Driftwood Creek, and Rock Creek. Only the Driftwood Creek area has constructed trails.

The ocean, streams, lakes, marshes, and forests on the Siuslaw provide a diversity of wildlife habitats. From October to March the stately Tundra Swans can be seen nesting and feeding in the some of the marsh areas. From September through May the marshes also host a variety of migrating or wintering waterfowl, wading and shore birds. Other species making the marshes their home include beavers, river otters and muskrats. The ocean life zone supports cormorants, marsh hawks and harbor seals in addition to numerous shore/wading birds. The grassland communities in the forest support numerous small mammals and a wide variety of song birds. The forests are inhabited by black-tailed deer, squirrels, deermice, and occasional black bear and numerous other mammals.

The Siuslaw has both fresh and saltwater fishing opportunities for the angling enthusiast. Streams in the forest provide the opportunity to land salmon, steelhead, and sea run cutthroat trout. The lakes have a variety of trout, catfish, yellow perch, bluegills, and largemouth bass. Saltwater species available in the bays, surf and off rocks include sea perch and flounder.

Clamming is a popular activity on the Siuslaw. Clamming is one of those uncomplicated outdoor pastimes. The equipment doesn't cost much, the coastal bays are fascinating places to explore, and there is always the reward of something great to eat! Clamming is popular in both the spring and the summer. Excellent low tide series begin in the spring and continue through the rest of the summer, occurring about every other week.

Points of Interest
Cape Perpetua Visitor Center is located three miles south of Yachats off U.S. Highway 101. The center offers a movie and dioramas on the geological history of the Oregon Coast. Nearby are the Devil's Churn and Cook's Chasm, two ocean spectaculars. Cape Perpetua Overlook, two miles off U.S. Highway 101 at Cape Perpetua Campground, offers an excellent view of the coast. The center is open daily 9 am. to 5 pm., every day except Christmas. Admission is free.

The Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area extends 40 miles along the Pacific Ocean, from the Siuslaw River south to the Coos River. At the widest point, the National Recreation Area extends inland approximately two and a half miles. The Recreation area contains a total of 14,000 acres of sand dunes, some of which can reach up to 400 feet in elevation.

The Oregon Dunes Overlook, located 11 miles south of Florence, is one of the few sites in the Oregon Dunes where motorists can stop and see the dunes without making an extensive side trip. The overlook is constructed in the sand dunes between U.S. Highway 101 and the beach. In addition, it was designed barrier-free so that it is fully accessible to the handicapped. The Oregon Dunes Overlook features a series of observation platforms from which visitors can view the Oregon Dunes and Pacific Ocean. The Overlook is an unstaffed interpretive site, and is open year round.

The Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area is a land of magnificent sand dunes, lakes, forested areas and ocean beaches. The sand dunes are one of nature's outstanding phenomena. The office is located in Reedsport, Oregon at the junction of U.S. Highway 101 and State Highway 38. Further information can be obtained by visiting the office or writing to the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, Reedsport, Oregon 97467.