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 ornaments on 24 trails across the Willamette Valley. Get ready by browsing our Ornament Hunt FAQ, learn more about Cascade Volunteers, and come back to see the full trail list on November 15, 2024!
In the meantime, here are the regions of both National Forests where ornaments will be hidden. Start planning your adventure now with ideas for where to eat, drink, stay, and play this holiday season!
Head southeast of Eugene and into the Cascade Range for scenic creek views and to see the 65-foot, two-tiered Brice Creek Falls.
Follow Highway 126 east of Eugene—and into the Cascade Range, where you'll see raging waterfalls and the thundering McKenzie River.
This forested corner of the Willamette Valley—between Detroit Lake, the McKenzie River, and the city of Albany—offers river views, waterfalls, and more.
Follow Highway 58 east of Eugene to enjoy quiet rivers and creeks, old-growth forests, and remote summits.
This region, in the Cascade Range east of Salem, centers around the Detroit Lake reservoir.
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.
For more information, read the sweepstakes rules for the Willamette Valley Ornament Hunt.
