Guides/OHV areas/Oregon
OHV area364,000 acresRoughly 250 miles of marked motorcycle, ATV, and 4WD trails across multiple use areas trail midifficulty: difficult

Tillamook State Forest ORV System

RegionOregonAgencyOregon Department of ForestryLast verified—
Tillamook State Forest ORV System — ohv area near Forest Grove, Oregon, Oregon
Mattsjc — CC BY 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Area vitals8 facts
Size
364,000acres
Trail miles
Roughly 250 miles of marked motorcycle, ATV, and 4WD trails across multiple use areas
Technical difficulty
Difficult
Vehicle classes
ATV, UTV / Side-by-side, Motorcycle / Dirt bike, 4WD truck/SUV
Best months
May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
Permit
Required
Fees
Oregon ATV permit required. No state day-use fee for parking at most lots.
Cell coverage
Spotty in the staging areas; gone on most trails.
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The Tillamook State Forest ORV system is a network of designated motorized recreation areas across Oregon's largest state forest, 40 miles west of Portland in the Coast Range. The Oregon Department of Forestry manages roughly 250 miles of marked motorcycle, ATV, and 4WD trail across four separated use areas (Browns Camp, Diamond Mill, Jordan Creek, and Trask), each with its own staging lot, kiosk, and trail mix. The forest sits on the recovery landscape of the 1933-1951 Tillamook Burn, replanted as Douglas-fir.

All motorized riders need an Oregon ATV operating permit, available online or at retail. Trucks and SUVs must be street-legal. The system is the largest organized ORV network in northwest Oregon and the standard destination for riders out of Portland, Hillsboro, and Tillamook.

Hazards

Read before you go

  • Mud and standing water. The Coast Range receives 100+ inches of rain annually. Spring riding does serious trail damage.
  • Active timber operations. Sections close periodically for logging. Check current closures with the Forest Grove District.
  • Mixed-use traffic. Each unit has its own width and class restrictions; check the kiosk before riding.
  • Hill-climb traffic. Browns Camp's truck and dirt-bike climbs share corridors. Use spotters.
  • No services in the units. No fuel, no water at trailheads or campgrounds.
  • Logging trucks on access roads. The mainline forest roads carry working timber traffic.
  • Hunting season. Wear blaze orange in fall; the forest is open to hunters.

Area map

OHV area

Coordinates 45.65970, -123.47810

Current conditions

Live weather

Area facts

6 fields
AgencyOregon Department of Forestry
Nearest townForest Grove, Oregon
PermitOregon ATV operating permit is required for all Class I, II, III, and IV vehicles. Trucks and SUVs must be street-legal. Riders under 16 must complete the Oregon ATV safety course.
Agency contact503-359-7400 (ODF Forest Grove District)
ClosedDec, Jan, Feb
Coordinates45.65970, -123.47810

Photos

2 photos

Photos · 2

Field notes

Getting Oriented

The Tillamook State Forest covers 364,000 acres across Washington, Tillamook, Yamhill, and Clatsop counties, between US-26 to the north and US-26/OR-6 corridor running through the middle. The motorized system uses four main staging areas:

  • Browns Camp is the eastern hub off OR-6, the most popular and the busiest on weekends, with technical singletrack, hill climbs, and a dedicated 4WD-truck zone.
  • Diamond Mill sits west of Browns Camp on OR-6, with more open forest two-track and an OHV campground.
  • Jordan Creek is on OR-6 east of Tillamook, with primarily ATV and motorcycle trails.
  • Trask is the southern hub off OR-6, mixing forest two-track with singletrack.

The Oregon Department of Forestry's Forest Grove District handles operations.

What to Expect

About 250 miles of marked motorized trail across the four units. Each unit has its own character and difficulty mix. The connecting forest roads are open to street-legal vehicles and can stage longer cross-unit rides. The forest is rain-fed (over 100 inches annually in the western units), so spring riding is muddy and trail damage is the constant management issue.

Most units have a developed OHV-friendly campground and primitive dispersed camping along the trail network. Browns Camp's campground is the most popular and fills weekends in summer.

Vehicle and Permit Rules

  • All Class I, II, III, and IV ORVs require an Oregon ATV operating permit (the state OHV sticker).
  • Trucks and SUVs must be street-legal with current registration.
  • Riders under 16 must complete the Oregon ATV safety course before operating an ATV.
  • Helmets are required for motorcycle and ATV operators and passengers under 18; recommended for all.
  • Spark arresters are required on all motorized vehicles.
  • Trail width and class designations vary by unit; check kiosk maps before riding.

Trailhead Facilities

  • Browns Camp Trailhead. Vault toilets, kiosk, large gravel parking. Adjacent OHV campground.
  • Diamond Mill Trailhead and OHV Campground. Dedicated OHV camping with vault toilets, no fee at most sites.
  • Jordan Creek Trailhead. Vault toilets, kiosk, primitive camping nearby.
  • Trask Trailhead. Vault toilets, kiosk, dispersed camping in the unit.

Where to Camp

Diamond Mill OHV Campground is the most popular on-site option, with dedicated ORV-staging sites. Browns Camp also has primitive on-unit camping with vault toilets. Dispersed camping is allowed in most of the forest under ODF rules. Tillamook State Forest does not require advance reservations at any of its primitive ORV camping sites; everything is first-come.

Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Trip

  • Browns Camp fills first on summer weekends. Arrive Friday afternoon or pick a different unit.
  • The forest holds water year-round. Spring riding is the biggest source of trail damage.
  • Carry recovery gear and water. The trailheads have no potable water.
  • Cell coverage drops once you leave OR-6. Bring an offline map.
  • The Tillamook Forest Center on OR-6 is a worthwhile non-riding stop, with exhibits on the Tillamook Burn and a Wilson River suspension bridge.
  • Pair with the Oregon Coast for a multi-day trip; Tillamook (the town) and the cheese factory are 25 miles west of the Trask unit.

Frequently asked

Common questions

How difficult is Tillamook State Forest ORV System?
Tillamook State Forest ORV System is rated difficult.
When is the best time to visit Tillamook State Forest ORV System?
The best months are May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct. Avoid Dec, Jan, Feb.
Do you need a permit for Tillamook State Forest ORV System?
Yes — a permit is required. It is managed by Oregon Department of Forestry — check the agency listing for current requirements and fees.
Is there cell service at Tillamook State Forest ORV System?
Spotty in the staging areas; gone on most trails.