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National Forests in Oregon

15 national forests in Oregon with photography planning data — sunrise and sunset azimuths, golden hour by month, Milky Way windows and estimated sky darkness. Clackamas County has the most (2). The darkest skies are at Malheur National Forest (Bortle 1).

Top national forests

Willamette National ForestNational Forest
Willamette National ForestLane County
Mount Hood National ForestNational Forest
Mount Hood National ForestClackamas County
Deschutes National ForestNational Forest
Deschutes National ForestDeschutes County
Umatilla National ForestNational Forest
Umatilla National ForestUmatilla County
Siuslaw National ForestNational Forest
Siuslaw National ForestLincoln County
Wallowa–Whitman National ForestNational Forest
Wallowa–Whitman National ForestWallowa County
Malheur National ForestNational Forest
Malheur National ForestGrant County
Umpqua National ForestNational Forest
Umpqua National ForestDouglas County
Rogue River–Siskiyou National ForestNational Forest
Rogue River–Siskiyou National ForestJosephine County
Fremont–Winema National ForestNational Forest
Fremont–Winema National ForestKlamath County
Ochoco National ForestNational Forest
Ochoco National ForestWheeler County
Fremont National ForestNational Forest
Fremont National ForestLake County

All national forests (15)

NameCountyElevationNearest townSky
Willamette National ForestLane County—Oakridge2
Mount Hood National ForestClackamas County—Mount Hood Village3
Deschutes National ForestDeschutes County—Deschutes River Woods4
Umatilla National ForestUmatilla County—Elgin2
Siuslaw National ForestLincoln County—Waldport2
Wallowa–Whitman National ForestWallowa County—Joseph1
Malheur National ForestGrant County—John Day1
Umpqua National ForestDouglas County—Sutherlin2
Rogue River–Siskiyou National ForestJosephine County—Cave Junction2
Fremont–Winema National ForestKlamath County—Altamont1
Ochoco National ForestWheeler County—Prineville2
Fremont National ForestLake County—Klamath Falls1
Oregon National ForestJackson County—Williams2
Coquille National ForestCurry County—Port Orford2
Bull Run National ForestClackamas County—Mount Hood Village3

Sky = estimated Bortle class (1 darkest – 9 brightest).

Map

How to photograph national forests

Forests suit soft light — overcast days reduce contrast under the canopy, and morning fog adds depth.

  • Dispersed camping is often allowed, which makes sunrise and night shoots easier — check local rules.
  • Forest roads can close in winter or after storms; download offline maps.
  • Fire restrictions may limit campfires and stoves in summer.
  • Look for fire lookouts and high roads for views over the canopy.
  • Fall color peaks vary by elevation; follow it downhill over several weeks.

Season: Autumn color and spring flowers draw photographers; winter brings snow-covered forests in the North and West.