Most school lands and waterways are open for public recreation, like hiking, fishing, swimming, hunting, dispersed camping, sightseeing, and photography.
We count on those accessing state lands to help safeguard the quality of the natural environment so wildlife and other humans can continue to benefit from these outdoor spaces.
All lands managed by the Department of State Lands, except
South Slough Reserve, do not have restrooms, trash cans, established trails, developed campsites, or treated drinking water.
Recreation Guidelines
When visiting state-owned lands, protect Oregon's natural resources for the safety and enjoyment of all land users by following these rules:
- Pack and carry out all trash.
- Follow all local, state, and federal laws.
- If you need to cross private land to access public lands, always get the landowner's permission first.
- When planning camping, check and follow fire restrictions. Public use fire regulations are usually in effect by mid-June.
- Limit your camping trip to 30 days or less.
- Oregon state law protects archaeological sites and artifacts. If you find an object associated with people from the past, leave it where it is and report it.
Visitors with the appropriate licenses, tags, and permits from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife may hunt or fish on state-owned lands. All activities must follow ODFW regulations.
Firewood cutting is permitted at certain times of the year for those with firewood permits. Contact us for details. The cost is $20 per cord, with a 2-cord maximum.
Recreating at the Elliott State Forest
Like other state-owned lands, the Elliott State Forest does not have restrooms, trash cans, water sources, or developed campsites. There are also no established trails. Cell service at the Elliott State Forest is spotty at best. We recommend downloading and saving a
geo-referenced map of the Elliott before your trip.