Umatilla National Forest
The Umatilla National Forest is a National Forest in the northwestern United States . It is located in the Blue Mountains in northeast Oregon and protrudes into southeast Washington . The Umatilla National Forest covers an area of 5,700 km² and is administered by the US Forest Service .
Over 20% of the area of the national forest is designated as " wilderness area ", the strictest class of nature reserves in the United States. The Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness (designated 1978) is 718 km² and lies on the border between Oregon and Washington. The North Fork Umatilla Wilderness (1984) measures 82 km²; their area includes the narrow valley of the North Fork Umatilla River, which in turn is the headwaters of the Umatilla River . The North Fork John Day Wilderness (1984) with 493 km² is located in the south-eastern part of the national forest on the northern arm of the John Day River .
In addition to the forestry use, leisure and recreation play an important role in the National Forest. The Blue Mountain Scenic Byway is an approximately 200 km long touristic route from the Columbia River near Arlington to Baker City through the Blue Mountains and the national forests. The route, which is only accessible in the summer half-year, leads through cultural and historical places and attractive landscapes. Rafting is possible on the Grande Ronde River and the John Day River . With Ski Bluewood in Washington and Spout Springs Resort , two winter sports facilities are located in the National Forest. In the middle of the 19th century, the Oregon Trail ran through the Blue Mountains and traces of the streams of settlers at that time are preserved in the National Forest in the form of memorials and markings.
The Umatilla National Forest is bordered by the Malheur National Forest to the south and the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest to the east .
Web links
- Entry to the Umatilla National Forest at the USDA Forest Service
Coordinates: 45 ° 38 ′ 0 ″ N , 118 ° 11 ′ 0 ″ W.