Opal Creek Ancient Forest Center

05/30/2026

Reconnect with Jawbone Flats this summer — and witness a landscape in beautiful transformation.

Opal Creek Ancient Forest Center is now offering Cabin & Tent Site Rentals at the historic Jawbone Flats. We have limited availability for rentals on the July 3-5 holiday weekend, August 22-23, and September 12-13. Don't wait — book before June 2, 2026 to secure your spot!

Vibrant green regrowth rises against the silver backdrop of the post-fire forest — a living reminder of transformation, resilience, and reciprocity. Whether you're returning to reconnect or visiting for the first time, this is a rare and meaningful opportunity.

👉 Reserve your stay: opalcreek.org/jawbone-rentals

05/23/2026

🏔️ Summit a volcano. Share meadows with mountain goats. Raft a wild river. 🌊

This summer, we're taking middle schoolers on an unforgettable journey into the heart of Oregon's backcountry — and spots are limited!

🎒 Middle School Backpacking & Rafting: Mount Jefferson + McKenzie River

Your young adventurer will explore the stunning Mount Jefferson Wilderness, hiking through glacial moraines, ancient lava flows, and mountain hemlock forests — all while trekking a stretch of the iconic Pacific Crest Trail. Then cap it all off with an exhilarating raft trip down the McKenzie River with our partners at Horse Creek Rafting!

📅 Dates: August 4–10, 2026
👟 Ages: 13–15 years old
📍 Mount Jefferson Wilderness, Willamette & Deschutes National Forest
💪 Difficulty: Moderate to Moderate Plus
💛 Scholarships available!

This is the kind of trip they'll be talking about for years. Is your kid ready?

🔗 Learn more & register: https://opalcreek.org/youth-expeditions/

05/16/2026

Rain or shine, Opal Creek's Outdoor School program transforms forests into classrooms, curiosity into discovery, and students into confident, engaged learners. Thank you to Four Corners Elementary School for joining us in this adventure!

05/15/2026

⛅Rain or shine, at Opal Creek's outdoor school, we transform forests into classrooms and curiosity into discovery. From day one, students learn how trees, birds, lichen, fungi and many other “forest friends” interact and depend on one another. By the end of the week, they've developed a deep connection to Oregon’s natural world.

We were thrilled to recently welcome Four Corners Elementary to our Outdoor School home in the temperate rainforests of Silver Falls State Park!

05/08/2026

Is your 10–12 year old ready for their first big adventure? 🌲🏔️

This summer, we're heading into the Roaring River Wilderness — Oregon's newest protected wilderness area — for a beginner-friendly backpacking trip in the heart of Mount Hood National Forest.

🗓️ July 28–31, 2026
📍 Roaring River Wilderness, Mount Hood National Forest
👟 Ages 10–12 | Difficulty: Easiest

With low-mileage days and plenty of spots to swim, laugh, and make memories, this trip is the perfect introduction to backpacking for young adventurers. Register while spots are still available!

https://opalcreek.org/youth-expeditions/

Summer 2026 Registration is Live! For 7 days/6 nights, or 4 days/3 nights youth ages 10-17 can join us in the Oregon backcountry for a unique and rewarding summer experience. Our one-of-a-kind model teaches: backcountry skills, confidence, learning from nature, Leave No Trace, dedication to safety,....

04/29/2026

Recently, a group of volunteers took part in our expanded Researching the Recovery program, a unique opportunity for community scientists and college students to participate in forest recovery monitoring of plants and trees, lichens, fungi, and birds -- all while experiencing the incredible resilience of nature!

For this trip, we documented how lichens are returning across a landscape of unburned old-growth, mosaic, and severely burned forest.

Learn more about our research program here: https://opalcreek.org/research/

04/24/2026

There are just a few spots left! Sign up now for this 4-day easy and stunning trip through Oregon's Ochoco National Forest for your 5th-8th grader.

Summer 2026 Registration is Live! For 7 days/6 nights, or 4 days/3 nights youth ages 10-17 can join us in the Oregon backcountry for a unique and rewarding summer experience. Our one-of-a-kind model teaches: backcountry skills, confidence, learning from nature, Leave No Trace, dedication to safety,....

04/09/2026

🏔️ Ready for an adventure? This summer, middle schoolers are invited to explore the breathtaking Strawberry Mountain Wilderness, and they'll finish the trip with an epic rafting excursion on the famous Deschutes River — guided by our partners at eNRG!

🛶 This Backpack + Raft expedition is perfect for beginners who love the outdoors, appreciate relaxed pacing, and can't resist splashing around in the water. No experience needed — just a sense of adventure!

The details:
⛺ Ages: Middle School
📅 July 14-20, 2026
📍 Strawberry Mountain Wilderness & Deschutes River
⭐ Difficulty: Easy
❤️Scholarships: Available! Don’t let cost be a barrier
✅ 1:5 Guide to camper ratio

Spots are limited. Register today! https://opalcreek.org/youth-expeditions/

Summer 2026 Registration is Live! For 7 days/6 nights, or 4 days/3 nights youth ages 10-17 can join us in the Oregon backcountry for a unique and rewarding summer experience. Our one-of-a-kind model teaches: backcountry skills, confidence, learning from nature, Leave No Trace, dedication to safety,....

04/03/2026

Opal Creek attended the Northwest Scientific Association 2026 Annual Meeting last week. Programs Director Megan Selvig and Jennifer Johns of Chemeketa Community College presented preliminary findings from the Researching the Recovery project in the Opal Creek Wilderness. We also invited attendees to join us at our new Opal Creek Field Station to do their own research. Read more about our post-fire recovery research here: https://opalcreek.org/research/

02/21/2026

Register now for an adult backpacking expedition! For the first time since the Beachie Creek fire, you can join us in Jawbone Flats and the Opal Creek Wilderness for a 4-day, 3-night unique and rewarding outdoor adventure. Our 2026 offerings include:

🌲BIPOC Affinity Backpacking - June 19-22
🌺Women's Backpacking - June 26-29
🎒Intro to Backpacking - September 4-7
✨LGBTQIA+ Affinity Backpacking - September 11-14

We provide all food and group gear. Scholarships are available! Learn more: https://opalcreek.org/adult-expeditions/