Top Photo: Campsite surrounded by meadows & Ponderosa Pines.
It's hard to believe, but this is our first time camping in Ochoco National Forest. We lucked out & scored a rather nice site. Yay!
Dispersed Camping - National Forest, near Mitchell OR. Notes: trails nearby • 5,383’ elevation. June 9th - 14th.
Pros:
• Quiet during the week.
• Spacious & clean site set back from the Forest Service road.
Cons:
• Weekend crowd not as quiet — ATV's running up & down the road, plus some gun fire.Overall Experience:
We would definitely call this a good afternoon in the forest.
We enjoyed a couple of beverages at Tiger City Brewing, followed by a grilled burger & chicken wings.
Local Flavor – Area Businesses We Enjoyed & Recommend
• Tiger City Brewing, Mitchell, OR. — Pleasant outside seating area. Good beers & pub grub style food (some cooked on a real charcoal grill).
The Ochoco National Forest is a vast and diverse forest located in central Oregon, covering an area of 845,498 acres across the Ochoco and Maury Mountains. This expansive forest is part of the larger Blue Mountains region and is known for its magnificent rock formations, hiking trails, fishing streams, camping sites, and abundant wildlife.
Recreation Opportunities in the Ochoco National Forest
The Ochoco National Forest is managed by the U.S. Forest Service and offers a wide range of recreational activities for visitors. The forest is home to numerous hiking trails, including the popular Lemon Gulch trail, which has recently undergone an environmental assessment by the Forest Service. In addition to hiking, the Ochoco National Forest is a popular destination for fishing, camping, hunting, and horseback riding.
Wildlife Conservation Efforts in the Ochoco National Forest
The Ochoco National Forest is also an important habitat for a variety of wildlife species, including elk, wolves, and native fish. However, this precious habitat has faced threats in recent years, with concerns raised about the potential impact of various projects and activities within the forest. [4] In response, the Ochoco Forest Restoration Collaborative (OFRC) has been working to develop a shared vision for the management and conservation of the forest, with a focus on balancing the needs of different stakeholders.
One of the key initiatives of the OFRC has been the development of a map that assigns various shared values to different locations within the Ochoco National Forest. This collaborative effort has helped to identify areas of the forest that are particularly important for recreation, wildlife habitat, and other uses, and has informed the decision-making process for managing the forest.
Economic Importance of the Ochoco National Forest
In addition to recreational and conservation efforts, the Ochoco National Forest also plays an important role in the local economy. The forest provides timber resources and supports various industries, such as logging and tourism. However, the management of the forest has at times been a source of controversy, with concerns raised about the potential impact of logging and other activities on the environment.
To address these concerns, the Forest Service has implemented a number of measures to ensure the sustainable management of the Ochoco National Forest. This includes the development of a roads analysis report, which examines the impacts of the forest's extensive road network and identifies opportunities for improvement.
Despite the challenges facing the Ochoco National Forest, the forest remains a beloved and treasured natural resource for the people of central Oregon and beyond. The Forest Service and local stakeholders continue to work together to ensure that the forest is managed in a way that balances the needs of recreation, conservation, and economic development.
