Oakridge - Westfir

Oakridge and neighboring Westfir are the ultimate basecamps for outdoor adventurers. Above the fog and below the snow line, these communities offer a year-round paradise of outdoor thrills. Oakridge is known as the Mountain Biking Capital of the Northwest and a popular destination for epic single track. While this is definitely mountain biking country, Oakridge - Westfir is also an excellent area for camping, hiking, rafting, boating, fishing, mushroom foraging, birding, side-by-side riding and all the snow sports. 

Surrounded by the Willamette National Forest and the area sparkles with many lakes, rivers, and waterfalls. Salt Creek Falls tumbles 286 feet (87m), the second-highest waterfall in Oregon after Multnomah Falls. Waldo Lake is Oregon's second-largest lake (the largest is Crater Lake) and one of the world's purest.

The Middle Fork of the Willamette River runs south of town, easily accessible at Greenwaters Park — a perfect place for picnicking. Community events are often held at its amphitheater. Just before Oakridge, between mile markers 45 and 46, soak in the McCredie Hot Springs. In neighboring Westfir, visit the Office Covered Bridge, a historic covered bridge built in 1944. The mountain community is crowned by the Willamette Pass ski resort.

Top Attractions

Road Trip: Oakridge Feb 26

Road Trip: Oakridge

At 1,200 feet elevation, these mountain communities are starting to thaw in the spring weather. Put…

Oakridge in Spring Feb 23

Oakridge in Spring

As the snow starts to melt in the Cascades, springtime in Oakridge is invigorating with its lush…

Road Trip: Cascade Mountains
: Melanie Ryan Griffin
Nov 08

Road Trip: Cascade Mountains

Drive up into the Cascade Mountains on this beautiful and leisurely road trip. Want to breathe fresh…

Fall Foliage Road Trips
: Turell Group
Oct 20

Fall Foliage Road Trips

Autumn is a wonderful season for road trips—scenic views are swathed in golden hues, colorful…

Oakridge - Westfir Lodging & Campgrounds

Oakridge Inn & Suites

An Oakridge motel ideally-suited for Cascade adventures! Guest rooms feature cable TV, HBO, hot tub and swimming pool…

Black Canyon Campground

Stay cool from the summer heat at this 75-site shaded campground along the Middle Fork of the Willamette River. Tent and…

Blue Pool Campground

Near to the mountain bike tracks of Oakridge, Salt Creek Falls and Oakridge, this campground is in proximity to all the…

Camper's Flat Campground

Five sites situated near the Middle Fork of the Willamette River under Douglas fir and Ponderosa pine. The Young’s Rock…

Gold Lake Campground

Twenty-one sites for tents and RVs lay adjacent to Gold Lake, which provides ample opportunity for non-motorized water…

Islet Campground

6/23/23: Temporarily closed due to Cedar Creek Fire. Closed for 2023 season. See closure order and map. Located along the…

Kiahanie Campground

This 19-site tent and RV campground is situated directly off Aufderheide Dr (Forest Service Rd #19) along the North Fork…

North Waldo Campground

6/23/23: Temporarily closed due to Cedar Creek Fire. See closure order and map. The North Waldo Campground is one of the…

Packard Creek Campground

Thirty-seven site tent and RV campground on the west side of Hills Creek Reservoir. Picnic tables, campfire rings, boat…

Sacandaga Campground

A relatively quiet campground with 17 sites for tents and RVs situated in an old-growth forest. The Middle Fork National…

Sand Prairie Campground

Twenty-one-site campground for tents and RVs with vault toilets, but no water or hookups. The location on the south end…

Secret Campground

Situated on the banks of the Middle Fork of the Willamette River with nearby access to the Middle Fork Willamette Trail…

Shadow Bay Campground

Forty-seven tent and RV sites as well as three group sites that can be reserved, two of which accommodate up to 120…

Skookum Creek Campground

Tent-only campground with nine sites that provide a starting point for backcountry fishing, hiking and horseback riding…

24 Hours in Oakridge and Westfir Jul 15
Stories

24 Hours in Oakridge and Westfir

Feeling the need for a sunny mountain hike, wanting to support a local tourism business without overspending, and wanting to follow the current safety guidelines led me to craft a perfect…

Where To Eat

Oakridge - Westfir Events

Mountain Bike Oregon (MBO) is held in Oakridge every summer with rides and festivities. The community also hosts concerts in the park, art walks and festivals celebrating everything from music to trees. Join organized tours for cycling, biking, paddling, side-by-sides, snowshoeing and more!

About Oakridge - Westfir

Around 1888 this area was a corridor that pioneers called "Big Prairie" and then "Hazeldell." In 1912 it was dubbed "Oakridge". Early on, the railroad played an important role in Oakridge's economic development and supported the growth of logging.

Adjacent Oakridge, Westfir sprang up as a Western Lumber "company town" in 1923. The lumber company changed hands several times becoming Westfir Lumber Company, Blythe and Company, and finally Edwards Hines Lumber Company. The historic Office Covered Bridge, Oregon's longest covered bridge, was built across the North Fork Middle Fork Willamette River to connect the Westfir Lumber Company mill to the office (now a bed and breakfast). Westfir is now known as a "Quiet Little Town in a Beautiful Place." 

In 1948, the Pope and Talbot Timber company operated a sawmill in Oakridge. Once considered the heart of the timber empire, Oakridge's economy faltered after the industry collapse in the early 80s. The two local saw mills were both shut down by 1985. 

Today, outdoor enthusiasts have remade the area into a hot spot of their own. Oakridge has become the watering-hole for big adventures with comfortable lodging, a popular local brewery, and headquarters for guides and equipment rentals. You can take your Off Highway Vehicle (OHV) for a spin in designated areas or even play around of golf at the local course!

Pedestrian window from Office Covered Bridge Westfir by Melanie Griffin

"Oregon is Magic" Mural

Travel Oregon launched a magical Studio Ghibli-style campaign in 2018 promoting the state's attractions. Oakridge was one of seven communities first chosen for their "Oregon Mural Trail". Celebrating the community's mountain biking status and natural beauty, Oakridge's mural showcases a mountain biker riding up an exaggerated wooden ramp that winds like a rollercoaster through thick forests. Visit it across from the Oakridge City Hall on 1st Street near the 3 Legged Crane Pub and Brewhouse.

City of Oakridge

Oakridge - "The Center of Oregon Recreation" and the "Mountain Biking Capital of the Northwest." An amazing scenic…

Oakridge Art Council

The Oakridge Art Council is a place where local artists can be celebrated. The goal of the OAC is to create a space where…

The Middle Fork Ranger Station in Westfir is open Monday through Friday. Stop by for maps, permits and trail conditions. During the summer season, drive or cycle the Aufderheide Byway to McKenzie River for more mountain biking, hiking, waterfalls and field of lava rock.

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