Ochoco National Forest
Encyclopedia
The Ochoco National Forest is located in Central Oregon
in the United States
, north and east of the City of Prineville
, location of the National Forest Headquarters. It encompasses 850000 acres (3,440 km²) of rimrock, canyons, geologic oddities, dense pine forests, and high desert terrain, as well as the headwaters of the North Fork of the Crooked River
. A 1993 Forest Service study estimated that the extent of old growth in the Forest was 95000 acres (38,445.2 ha).
In descending order of forestland area, it occupies lands within Crook
, Harney
, Wheeler
, and Grant
counties. The national forest also administers the Crooked River National Grassland
, which is in Jefferson County
.
The Ochoco National Forest is composed of three ranger districts:
The former Snow Mountain Ranger District is now administered by the Malheur National Forest
, as part of the Emigrant Creek Ranger District.
, fishing
, camping
, hunting
, horseback riding, stargazing, birding and rock hounding.
Central Oregon
Central Oregon is a geographic region in the U.S. state of Oregon and is traditionally considered to be made up of Deschutes, Jefferson, and Crook counties. Other definitions include larger areas, often encompassing areas to the north towards the Columbia River, eastward towards Burns, or south...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, north and east of the City of Prineville
Prineville, Oregon
Prineville is a city in and the county seat of Crook County, Oregon, United States. It was named for the first merchant located in the present location, Barney Prine. The population was 9,253 at the 2010 census.- History :...
, location of the National Forest Headquarters. It encompasses 850000 acres (3,440 km²) of rimrock, canyons, geologic oddities, dense pine forests, and high desert terrain, as well as the headwaters of the North Fork of the Crooked River
Crooked River (Oregon)
The Crooked River is a tributary, long, of the Deschutes River in the U.S. state of Oregon. The river begins at the confluence of South Fork Crooked River and Beaver Creek. Of the two tributaries, the South Fork Crooked River is the larger and is sometimes considered part of the Crooked River proper...
. A 1993 Forest Service study estimated that the extent of old growth in the Forest was 95000 acres (38,445.2 ha).
In descending order of forestland area, it occupies lands within Crook
Crook County, Oregon
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 19,182 people, 7,354 households, and 5,427 families residing in the county. The population density was 6 people per square mile . There were 8,264 housing units at an average density of 3 per square mile...
, Harney
Harney County, Oregon
-National protected areas:*Malheur National Forest *Malheur National Wildlife Refuge*Ochoco National Forest -Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 7,609 people, 3,036 households, and 2,094 families residing in the county. The population density was 1 people per square mile...
, Wheeler
Wheeler County, Oregon
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,547 people, 653 households, and 444 families residing in the county. The population density was 1 people per square mile . There were 842 housing units at an average density of 0 per square mile...
, and Grant
Grant County, Oregon
Grant County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oregon. It is included in the 8 county definition of Eastern Oregon. In 2010, its population was 7,445. It is named for President Ulysses S. Grant, who served as an army officer in the Oregon Territory, and at the time of the county's creation...
counties. The national forest also administers the Crooked River National Grassland
Crooked River National Grassland
Crooked River National Grassland is a National Grassland located in Jefferson County in the north-central part of the U.S. state of Oregon. It has a land area of 112,357 acres . It contains two National Wild and Scenic Rivers, the Deschutes River and the Crooked River...
, which is in Jefferson County
Jefferson County, Oregon
Jefferson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oregon. In 2010, its population was 21,720. It is named after Mount Jefferson. The seat of the county is Madras.-History:...
.
The Ochoco National Forest is composed of three ranger districts:
- Crooked River National GrasslandCrooked River National GrasslandCrooked River National Grassland is a National Grassland located in Jefferson County in the north-central part of the U.S. state of Oregon. It has a land area of 112,357 acres . It contains two National Wild and Scenic Rivers, the Deschutes River and the Crooked River...
- Paulina Ranger District, based outside of PaulinaPaulina, OregonPaulina is an unincorporated community in Crook County, Oregon, United States, named after Paiute Chief Paulina. Paulina post office was established in 1882....
- Lookout Mountain Ranger District, based in PrinevillePrineville, OregonPrineville is a city in and the county seat of Crook County, Oregon, United States. It was named for the first merchant located in the present location, Barney Prine. The population was 9,253 at the 2010 census.- History :...
. This district is composed of the former Prineville and Big Summit Ranger Districts.
The former Snow Mountain Ranger District is now administered by the Malheur National Forest
Malheur National Forest
The Malheur National Forest is a National Forest in the U.S. state of Oregon. It contains 1.7 million acres in the Blue Mountains of eastern Oregon. The forest include high desert grasslands, sage, juniper, pine, fir, and other tree species. Elevations vary from about 4000 feet to the 9038...
, as part of the Emigrant Creek Ranger District.
Wilderness
The forest contains three wilderness areas comprising 36200 acres (146 km²):- Mill Creek WildernessMill Creek WildernessMill Creek Wilderness is a wilderness area located in the Ochoco National Forest of central Oregon. It was established in 1984 and comprises . Of the three wilderness areas in the Ochoco National Forest - Mill Creek, Bridge Creek, and Black Canyon - Mill Creek is the largest and most heavily...
at 17400 acres (70 km²) - Bridge Creek WildernessBridge Creek WildernessBridge Creek Wilderness is a wilderness area located in the Ochoco Mountains of central Oregon, within the Ochoco National Forest. It was established in 1984 and comprises , making it one of the smallest Wilderness areas in the state.-Topography:...
at 5400 acres (22 km²) - Black Canyon Wilderness at 13400 acres (54 km²)
Recreation
Popular recreational activities in the Ochoco National Forest include hikingHiking
Hiking is an outdoor activity which consists of walking in natural environments, often in mountainous or other scenic terrain. People often hike on hiking trails. It is such a popular activity that there are numerous hiking organizations worldwide. The health benefits of different types of hiking...
, fishing
Fishing
Fishing is the activity of trying to catch wild fish. Fish are normally caught in the wild. Techniques for catching fish include hand gathering, spearing, netting, angling and trapping....
, camping
Camping
Camping is an outdoor recreational activity. The participants leave urban areas, their home region, or civilization and enjoy nature while spending one or several nights outdoors, usually at a campsite. Camping may involve the use of a tent, caravan, motorhome, cabin, a primitive structure, or no...
, hunting
Hunting
Hunting is the practice of pursuing any living thing, usually wildlife, for food, recreation, or trade. In present-day use, the term refers to lawful hunting, as distinguished from poaching, which is the killing, trapping or capture of the hunted species contrary to applicable law...
, horseback riding, stargazing, birding and rock hounding.
External links
- Deschutes & Ochoco National Forests, Crooked River National Grassland from the US Forest Service.