National park · United States
Tillamook State Forest
Visit Tillamook State Forest for free: drive to the Wilson River trailhead, hike the 1.7‑mi path to Wilson Falls (from the interpretive center) in under 2 h, or explore the Diamond Mill area with trails along the Wilson River; camp at Jones Creek campground (May‑Oct, 2026 estimate) and avoid peak weekend crowds by arriving early.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
600 km² (232 sq mi)232 sq mi (600 km²)
approximate
Established
1940
Best months
Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
At a glance
- Country
- United States
- Area
- 600 km² (232 sq mi)232 sq mi (600 km²)
- Approximate forest area; official size varies by source.
- Established
- 1940
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
- Permits
- Not needed
- Base
- Tillamook
Tillamook State Forest is a temperate rainforest on Oregon's northern coast, offering free access to river‑side trails, waterfalls, and low‑cost camping.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1940.
Size and age
600 km² (232 sq mi)232 sq mi (600 km²) · national park since 1940
Approximate forest area; official size varies by source.
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Tillamook.
Why go
- Temperate rainforest with Douglas fir, western red cedar and abundant wildlife.
- Multiple trailheads along Wilson River and Diamond Mill for day hikes.
- Low‑cost camping at Jones Creek campground.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanCool, less crowd; trails may be wet
- FebCool, less crowd; trails may be wet
- MarSpring melt, trails muddy
- AprMild, trails drying
- MayCampground opens (check exact date), trails dry
- JunSummer, long days, trails dry
- JulHeat waves possible; start early
- AugHeat, occasional storms
- SepCooler, still open
- OctCampground closes early Oct (check exact date)
- NovCool, some trails closed
- DecCold, limited services
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black-tailed deer, elk, and various songbirdsMar–Oct · Common in forest clearings. | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Portland (south)
Take OR‑217 N → OR‑26 W → OR‑6 to the forest; turn right at the bridge to the campgrounds.
2–2.5 h
From Portland (north)
Take I‑5 S to exit 405, then OR‑26 W and follow same route.
2–2.5 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Wilson River Trailhead | Access to short hikes to Wilson Falls and footbridge. | Free, parking available |
| Diamond Mill area | Longer loop with interpretive center, Smith Homestead, and Wilson Falls. | Free, parking at trailhead |
| Jones Creek campground | Vehicle and walk‑in campsites, basic amenities. | First‑come, first‑served |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are approximate centre of the forest.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forest entry | Free | person | No fee for day use |
| Jones Creek campground vehicle site | US$10 | site | 2026 estimate; May 25 – Oct 2, check current season |
| Jones Creek campground walk‑in site | US$5 | site | 2026 estimate; May 25 – Oct 2, check current season |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Camping permit no permit
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- US$10
- US$5
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Check with the park or your operator before you go.
Park rules
- Pets
- Leashed dogs allowed on trails; clean up after them. (check)check
- Camping
- Only in designated campground; no backcountry camping. (check)check
- Firewood
- Buy firewood locally; no gathering in forest. (check)check
- Drones
- Not permitted without permission. (check)check
Where to stay
In the park
Jones Creek campground
Basic sites, no electricity, payphone nearby.
Near the park
Tillamook town
Hotels and motels 20 km (12 mi) north of forest.Hotels and motels 12 mi (20 km) north of forest.
Safety
Heat and dehydration medium
River jumps high
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Trailheads have parking and short walks; Wilson Falls loop is wheelchair‑compatible on level sections.
- Longer Diamond Mill loop has uneven terrain; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Use designated campsites; pack out all trash.
- Buy firewood locally to prevent illegal harvesting.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Tillamook State Forest?
There is no entrance fee for day use; camping costs $10 per vehicle site or $5 per walk‑in site per night.
What are the best hikes in Tillamook State Forest?
Wilson Falls Loop (1.7 mi, easy) and Diamond Mill Loop (≈5 mi, moderate) are the most popular day hikes.
When is the best time to visit Tillamook State Forest?
Late spring to early fall (May–Oct) offers dry trails and open campgrounds; avoid July‑August heat if possible.
Do I need a permit to camp?
No permit is required; campsites are first‑come, first‑served during the open season.
Are pets allowed?
Leashed dogs are allowed on trails; owners must clean up after them.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Tillamook State Forest
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