It’s time once again for one of the Willamette Valley’s most beloved traditions: the seventh annual Willamette Valley Ornament Hunt, taking place across the Willamette National Forest and Umpqua National Forest.
Between November 15 and Dec. 25, 2024, two hundred locally-crafted wooden ornaments will be hidden along two-dozen 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 200 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:
Stahlman Point Trail #3449: Walk through a young Douglas fir forest while enjoying views of Detroit Lake—all before ending at the site of a former fire lookout, where you’ll enjoy views of Mount Jefferson. Limited ornaments remaining!
Tumble Creek Trail #3380: Along the 5.3-mile path (which climbs 3,000 feet along the way), hikers enjoy views of Mount Jefferson, Detroit Lake, and the wider Tumble Creek Canyon. Limited ornaments remaining!
Detroit Flats Day-Use Area: Enjoy an easy walk along the park’s nature trail, which boasts picnic tables and excellent views of Detroit Lake. (accessibility information)
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. (accessibility information)
Head southeast of Eugene and into the Cascade Range for scenic creek views and to see the 65-foot, two-tiered Brice Creek Falls.
Brice Creek Trail #1403: Head upstream from the Cedar Creek Campground, through a scenic canyon, and enjoy excellent creek views.
Upper Trestle Creek Trail #1403D: The highlight of the lush trail is the chance to walk behind the upper portion of the 65-foot, two-tiered Brice Creek Falls in the midst of a green forest. Limited ornaments remaining!
Outdoor adventure should be available to every ability. That’s why we've teamed up with Trailkeepers of Oregon and Access Recreation to visit a number of Ornament Hunt trails to document accessibility information so you can better understand what to expect. Click through for accessibility information on each of the following trails:
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, #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.
Registre su adorno para ganar el premio de este año, incluye una estancia de dos noches en Willamette Valley y tarjetas de regalo para restaurantes locales.
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 mountain biking trails and multi-use paths that support a wide range of users across the Willamette Valley.
For more information, read the sweepstakes rules for the Willamette Valley Ornament Hunt.
The Willamette Valley Visitors Association abides by Leave No Trace principles and encourages all ornament hunters to do the same. All 200 ornaments have been tagged, and any remaining after the hunt concludes will be picked up by U.S. Forest Service professionals.