It’s time once again for one of the Willamette Valley’s most beloved traditions: the sixth annual Willamette Valley Ornament Hunt, taking place across the Willamette National Forest and Umpqua National Forest.
Between November 17 and Dec. 31, 2023, two hundred locally-crafted wooden ornaments will be hidden along trails in both forests—where eagle-eyed hikers can seek them out and register to win this year’s grand prize, which includes a two-night getaway in the Willamette Valley.
Here’s where to find an ornament—and how to have fun this holiday season:
This winter, we’ve teamed up with the Willamette National Forest, Umpqua National Forest, and Cascade Volunteers to hide ornaments on 24 trails across the Willamette Valley.
Get ready by browsing our Ornament Hunt FAQ, and keep reading below for our complete trail list—along with itineraries for how to plan a longer getaway that includes ideas for food and drink, overnight stays, and nearby activities.
This forested corner of the Willamette Valley—between Detroit Lake, the McKenzie River, and the city of Albany—offers river views, waterfalls, and more.
Here are the trails where we've placed ornaments in the Sweet Home Ranger District:
Follow Highway 58 east of Eugene to enjoy quiet rivers and creeks, old-growth forests, and remote summits.
Here are the trails where we've placed ornaments in the Middle Fork Ranger District:
Follow Highway 126 east of Eugene—and into the Cascade Range, where you'll see raging waterfalls and the thundering McKenzie River.
Here are the trails where we've placed ornaments in the McKenzie River Ranger District:
This region, in the Cascade Range east of Salem, centers around the Detroit Lake reservoir.
Here are the trails where we've placed ornaments in the Detroit Ranger District:
Upper Arm Day-Use Area: The wheelchair-accessible trail heads into a cove along the Breitenbush Arm of Detroit Lake—where you'll enjoy views of the broader lake and nearby hillsides.
Head southeast of Eugene and into the Cascade Range for scenic creek views and to see the 65-foot, two-tiered Brice Creek Falls.
Here are the trails where we've placed ornaments in the Cottage Grove Ranger District:
At last, it’s time to find your ornament. Here are a few guidelines for your search:
We’ve placed ornaments all along trails—at eye level or lower—but never in places that require you to go off trail. Stay on marked trails at all times.
Veteran hikers should look for ornaments further along trails so less experienced visitors can grab more easily accessible ornaments.
Please follow the Leave No Trace principles to stay safe and protect our forests.
Please take one ornament per household so fellow hikers can claim their own.
Share your adventure with us on social media by using the following hashtags: #FindYourOrnament, #FindYourTrail, #IwonderWV, #pnwonderland, and #willamettenationalforest
Curious to learn more? Check out our Ornament Hunt FAQ, which contains tips, resources, and answers to common questions.
When you find your ornament, it should be attached to a tag with instructions for registering to win this year’s grand prize—which includes an overnight stay in the Willamette Valley.
You can also click here to register your ornament.
New in 2023: We're giving you the chance to purchase the ornament at the heart of our annual Willamette Valley Ornament Hunt—and give back to Cascade Volunteers, the official nonprofit partner of the Willamette National Forest.
This year’s unique ornament pays tribute to our world-renowned wine country and the 40th anniversary of the founding of the Willamette Valley American Viticultural Area (AVA).
For more information, read the sweepstakes rules for the Willamette Valley Ornament Hunt.