Santiam Pass Motorized Recreation Area
Jefferson, Linn
Note: Not all trails in an area will be open to all vehicle types.
Site Description
53 miles of Easiest to most Difficult trails and shared use roads in the High Cascades open to OHV Classes I, II, III and IV ATVs. The area has plenty of challenging routes as well as meandering trails and roads to entertain everyone.
The Hoodoo Ski Area slopes are closed to OHV use.
Most difficult to extreme rock crawling trails are popular venues to test machines and skills at Santiam Pass. Learner’s Loops at Ray Benson OHV Staging/Sno Park and Santiam Staging area and one mile west of the Santiam staging area on the 860 road provide riders opportunity to build their skills.
The Santiam Staging area provides comfortable, shaded sites, a restroom facility and loading ramp. The trails are well signed and maps are available at trail heads.
Self-contained camping in an RV, trailer or truck camper is allowed at Ray Benson. Tent camping is allowed in dispersed camping areas for free or for a fee at Big Lake Campground.
Information is available from McKenzie River Ranger District office on Hwy 126.
Trail Difficulty
Easiest, More Difficult, Most Difficult
Season of Use
Riding conditions are best in Spring and Fall (May-November). Trails get extremely dusty in Summer and may be closed seasonally or due to fire restrictions. Area gets snowed out in Winter months. All wheeled vehicles are not allowed on snowmobile routes after November 16th. Contact land manager for trail status.
Permit Requirements
Sound Limit
95-99db, depending on vehicle
Other Requirements
U.S. Forest Service approved spark arrestors required
Contact Info:
Willamette National Forest-McKenzie Ranger District
57600 McKenzie Highway
McKenzie Bridge, OR 97413
(541) 822-3381
Website
Location:
Located a few miles south of Highway 20 on Big Lake Road.
Know Before You Go
- Types of ATVs
- Safety Training Requirements
- Class I and III ATVs are required to have United States Forest Service approved spark arrestors or end caps. Most mufflers or end caps will be stamped “USFS Approved Spark Arrestor if it meets the requirement.
- The U.S. Forest Service is currently designating trails, roads, and open areas for ATV riding. Once the planning process is complete, the managing agency will print maps showing the designated roads, trails and open areas. It is the responsibility of everyone who operates an off-highway vehicle to know the rules and regulations for their chosen riding area before hitting the trail.
- An ATV/OHV operating permit that is issued in another state shall be honored in the State of Oregon if the issuing state also honors an Oregon ATV operating permit. Regardless of the class of ATV, an operator must have a resident state ATV/OHV operating permit or a State of Oregon ATV operating permit to operate the ATV on public lands in Oregon. An Oregon ATV Operating Permit may be issued to any class ATV owned by a resident of another state. For a list of states that have reciprocity with Oregon, please visit the ATV Permits page
- Some vehicles such as ATVs and side-by-sides are never street legal in Oregon even if licensed and plated in their home state. These vehicles must have a valid OHV registration or permit to be used on trails on public lands in Oregon.