Opal Creek Travel Guide — Things to Do, Food & Hotels
wilderness area in the Willamette National Forest
About Opal Creek
Opal Creek is one of the very few old growth forests that never allowed logging. Some of the trees are large enough to fit 15-20 children around. Walking through the ancient forest you can feel the difference between it and groomed and logged forest. It is reported that the first people to call Opal Creek home were local Native Americans; ancient artifacts have proven their existence. In fact, there is a location near the lodges that is considered sacred ground. The neatest part of walking the trails is seeing the old mine shafts and rusting mining equipment. Gold and other precious metals were found in the area in the mid 1900s. When the mining eventually stopped, their company turned over their land including Jawbone Flats and a piece of old growth forest to those who continue today to p
Opal Creek Travel Guide Sections
Our comprehensive guide covers 12 sections including: