Ornament Hunting in Willamette National Forest's Sweet Home Ranger District
Between Nov. 21 and Dec. 20, 2025, we're welcoming the early excitement of winter during the Willamette Valley Ornament Hunt. This year, ornaments have been placed along hiking trails throughout the Sweet Home Ranger District in the Willamette National Forest, which is bisected by Highway 20 and can be reached from the communities of Albany, Lebanon, and Sweet Home in the heart of the Willamette Valley.
And if you're wondering just what a ranger district is, think of it as a geographic region within a larger area.
Trails to Find Your Ornament
See below for our map with trailheads where you can ornaments in this beautiful region—and click the "Eat, Drink, Stay" tab in the map's upper-left corner for inspiration on how to have fun away from the trail.
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Loading LoadingHere are the trails within the Sweet Home Ranger District where you can find ornaments for the 2025 Willamette Valley Ornament Hunt:
Santiam Wagon Road: Mountain House Section: Follow the most intact piece of the historic Santiam Wagon Road, with trips through pockets of old-growth forest and crossings of Elk Creek. Just one ornament left!
House Rock Trail #3406: Cross the South Santiam River on a footbridge, and enjoy views of the 40-foot-tall House Rock Falls. Just a few ornaments left!
Yukwah Nature Trail #3421: The wheelchair-accessible trail offers excellent views of the South Santiam River in the heart of a verdant forest.
Before you lace up your boots and head to the trail, please check our trail lists to ensure ornaments still remain on your chosen trail.
We update our website throughout the Ornament Hunt based on which ornaments are registered for the grand-prize giveaway. So when you find your ornament, please be sure to register so we can inform other hunters!
Also, please note that we make every effort to ensure our website and trail list are accurate and updated, and our volunteers do their best to see whether ornaments remain on various trails. Good luck and happy hunting!
What to Know About the Willamette Valley Ornament Hunt
Ornaments are placed on wheelchair-accessible trails, family-friendly footpaths, and strenuous hikes all over the Willamette Valley. Please check to make sure your chosen trail is suitable for your experience level and abilities; if it sounds easier or tougher than you'd like, we have another 20 or so trails you can choose from throughout the Willamette National Forest.
Snow isn't unheard of in late November and December throughout the West Cascades. Before setting out, check the latest forecast via the National Weather Service, and keep updated on road conditions through the Oregon Department of Transportation's TripCheck website (which features traffic webcams, road closures, and alerts on an easy-to-use map). Bonus points for calling the Cottage Grove Ranger District a day or two before leaving-just to make sure your chosen trail is passable and in good condition.
We hate to be a wet blanket, especially because we understand the joyous moment that comes with finding ornaments along your chosen trail. But please only take one ornament per household so other families can enjoy the same thrill. Every ornament on a given trail features the same design, so you're not missing much by grabbing just one.
Where to Eat, Drink, and Stay Around the Sweet Home Ranger District
Where to Eat
Hungry after a long day of searching for an ornament? We don't blame you. You'll find plenty of excellent restaurants spanning a variety of cuisines in Sweet Home and Albany. You'll also find a mix of motels, RV parks, and campgrounds with year-round cabins along Highway 20 en route to the Sweet Home Ranger District.
Everyone in your group will find something to love at The Point Restaurant and Lounge, which dishes sandwiches, burgers, comfort food fare, pasta, steaks, seafood, and a full breakfast menu. Ingredients are sourced from Oregon growers and producers whenever possible, adding a touch of freshness to every meal.
Enjoy your favorite family-style Mexican dishes at Casa De Reyes. The eatery's menu includes tostadas, burritos, flautas, and a few less-common dishes (like molcajete-a Mexican stew crafted with fresh vegetables).
Albany may sit an hour or more west of some trails within the Sweet Home Ranger District, but if your travels bring you to the city, Brick & Mortar Cafe is always worth a stop in downtown. The brick-walled eatery specializes in thoughtfully prepared breakfast and lunch dishes—with excellent bloody marys, a filling chicken-and-waffles entrée, and hearty omelets.
Where to Play
We've put together a few ideas in the area and in Albany-which sits to the west and offers fun for the whole family.
The newest addition to the Linn County Park System sits in the midst of a regal fir forest on the banks of the South Santiam River; in addition to tent and RV sites (some of which are closed in winter), the park hosts four cabins, as well as three yurts (some a short walk from the parking area). The lodgings at River Bend County Park come with heaters, power, and beds for a comfortable stay in all seasons; the cabins even offer riverside views.
Albany may sit an hour or more west of some trails within the Sweet Home Ranger District, but it'll likely be much closer to where you stay for the night. So if your ornament hunt is a family affair, make time for the Historic Carousel & Museum of Albany in downtown Albany. There, kids of all ages can ride 41 animals on the carousel, which dates back to 1909; those hand-carved and hand-painted creatures include a seven-foot-tall giraffe, cats, zebras, unicorns, and even dragons.
After your trip, head back to downtown Albany to experience the community's many charms. Those include historic districts decorated in seasonal garb, local restaurants with fresh fare, adorable boutiques, family fun, and more.
Where to Stay
Stay in a 1940s-era historical home just across Highway 20 from Foster Lake. Home to a handful of themed rooms, Foster Lake Inn & Vacation Lodge offers private bathrooms, Wi-Fi, a common seating area, and more.
Just across Highway 20 from its namesake reservoir, Foster Lake RV Resort hosts year-round offerings that include log cabins (with electric heaters) and fully furnished suites adorned with Western-inspired bric-a-brac.
