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Program fees do not cover 100% of our operating costs. Make a donation to Opal Creek Ancient Forest Center today by clicking on the PayPal link below. For other, easy ways to donate click on "Donate!" above. All donations are tax deductable.


How to get here

Stay in Jawbone Flats!

Want to spend more than a day in Opal Creek? We rent out our cabins during our programming season, mid-April through mid-November. See what we offer.

 

Directions to Opal Creek

From I-5 North or South bound:

  • From I-5 Take Exit 253 for Hwy 22 (Stayton/Detroit).
  • Go East on Hwy 22 for 22 miles or approximately 25 min.
  • After roughly 22 miles you will see the Swiss Village Restaurant on the right hand side of the road.
  • Turn LEFT (North) at the Swiss Village Restaurant onto the North Fork Rd. There will be a brown sign for the Elkhorn Valley Rec Area.
  • After 14 miles of pavement you will enter the Willamette National Forest and the road turns to gravel. You are now on Forest Road 2209.
  • After approx 1.5 -2 miles you will come to a fork in the road. Stay to the left on Forest Road 2209.
  • Continue another 4 miles to the Opal Creek/Jawbone parking area and trail head.

From Bend, Hwy 97 or Hwy 20:

  • From either of these highways, make your way to Hwy 22 West.
  • Follow Hwy 22 West to Gates, OR. It is approx. 96 miles from Sisters, OR to Gates.
  • Approx 11 miles past gates you will see the Swiss Village Restaurant on the left hand side of the road.
  • Turn Right (North) at the Swiss Village Restaurant onto the North Fork Rd. There will be a brown sign for the Elkhorn Valley Rec Area.
  • After 14 miles of pavement you will enter the Willamette National Forest and the road turns to gravel. You are now on Forest Road 2209.
  • After approx 1.5 -2 miles you will come to a fork in the road. Stay to the left on Forest Road 2209.
  • Continue another 4 miles to the Opal Creek/Jawbone parking area and trail head.

Alternate Directions During Summer Months Only:

  • Coming West on Hwy 22, you'll enter the town of Gates.
  • Turn North (right) onto Gates Hill Road, which is located across from the Gates General Store in Gates, OR.
  • Gates Hill Rd is a paved and approx 3-mile road that lets out on North Fork road, approximately 9 miles up (near Elkhorn Golf Course).
  • Turn right onto the North Fork Road.
  • Please note: Gates Hill road is 16% grade both up and down, and is not maintained in the winter. Please drive with extra caution when using this road.

PERMITS/FEES:

All visitors to Opal Creek need a Trail Park permit to park at the trailhead. The permits cost $5/car for a one-day pass or $30 for a full-year pass. Full-year passes are available at most Forest Service offices and outdoor stores, and you can pay per day from a self-serve pay station (cash or check only) at the trailhead.

MAPS:

Google Maps has this aerial view of the area around the trail head and Jawbone Flats. Link, here.

MapTech: Jawbone Flats

Or, purchase a Forest Service map that covers the Opal Creek Wilderness and Scenic Recreation Area, Bull of the Woods Wilderness, and Salmon-Huckleberry Wilderness. Available on the Jawbone Flats Compant Store or the Portland Office!