Discover Nearby Wilderness Wonders

Coast Range

1. Cummins Creek Wilderness 

We’ll start our journey of our Wilderness Wonders on the Oregon Coast. The Cummins Creek Wilderness is a feast for your eyes and feet. Located in the Siuslaw National Forest, this area is unique because it is where the wilderness connects to the ocean. That proximity creates unique ecosystems and climates where wildlife move from shore to the forest and back again within these wilderness watersheds. Bob Creek and Cummins Creek flow from the wilderness into the ocean. Flanked by Cape Perpetua Scenic Area and Neptune State Park, the Cummins Ridge Trail (5.8 miles long) ascends more than 1,000 feet through towering Sitka spruce, Western hemlock and Douglas firs in the Coast Range. This area is also home to the only old-growth Sitka Spruce forest in the entire Oregon wilderness system.

Getting there: This area is accessible from Highway 101 — 15 miles north of Florence, Oregon. From Highway 101 turn east on Tenmile Creek Road (Forest Service Rd 5210), drive carefully and after 1.9 miles make a left turn on Forest Service Rd 5694. After 7.7 miles turn left on Forest Service Rd 515 for 0.2 miles to Cummins Ridge East Trailhead.

2. Rock Creek Wilderness 

Just like the Cummins Creek Wilderness, the Rock Creek Wilderness is a remote area within the Siuslaw National Forest in Oregon’s Coast Range. There are no developed trails but two streams — Rock Creek and Big Creek — flow through old growth Sitka spruce forests. Stick to the nearby campground, or explore the wilderness cautiously. 

Getting there: From Florence, head 15 miles north along Hwy 101. Turn right onto Big Creek Rd/National Forest (Forest Service)-57. From Newport, follow Hwy 101 for 34.5 miles south. Turn left onto Big Creek Rd/NF-57.

4. Waldo Lake Wilderness 

The Waldo Lake Wilderness is just north of the Diamond Peak Wilderness, above Oakridge in the Willamette National Forest. (Temporarily closed due to recovery from wildfires in 2022.) Within the wilderness area, there is an impressive array of trout-filled lakes scattered throughout the 37,162 acre Wilderness. A system of 84 miles of trails lead to many of the lakes, including Six Lakes and Wahanna Lakes, the most popular hikes in the area.

But don’t let the name fool you — Waldo Lake itself is just outside of the eastern boundary of the Wilderness and not included in this territory. But, that doesn’t mean Waldo Lake isn’t worthy of exploring. Formed by glaciers 10,000 years ago, Waldo Lake is Oregon’s second largest natural lake and one of the purest lakes in the world — some rank it third. Filled by springs and snow melt, Waldo Lake harbors very little plankton, and only fish stocked until 1991. The lake bottom can be visible on a calm day through 100 ft (30 m) of indigo water.

Getting there: Take Hwy 58 to Oakridge. Trailhead access off Forest Service Roads 24 (Salmon Creek Road), 19 and 5897.

5. Three Sisters Wilderness

Just north of Waldo Lake, you’ll find the Three Sisters Wilderness in the Deschutes National Forest. This is one of the most accessible and scenic areas on the list. North, Middle and South Sister, all more than 10,000 feet high, and Broken Top inspire hikers and climbers to push their bodies to the limits with their 260 miles of trails and jaw dropping views. Most of the trails begin in Douglas fir rich forest and climb to alpine meadows that lead to glacial and volcanic peaks.

Getting there: There are many trailheads throughout the Three Sisters Wilderness.