It's the Annual Willamette Valley Ornament Hunt

Where To Find Ornaments | Winter Safety | Planning Tips

It’s time once again for one of our most beloved traditions: the ninth annual Willamette Valley Ornament Hunt, taking place across the Willamette Valley, the heart of the Cascades, and the Oregon Coast Range foothills.

Between November 20 and Dec. 31, 2026, 350 locally-crafted wooden ornaments will be hidden along nearly 40 trails—where eagle-eyed hikers can seek them out and register to win this year’s grand prize, which includes a getaway in the Willamette Valley.

Here’s where to find an ornament—and how to have fun this holiday season:

Where to Find an Ornament

This winter, we’ve teamed up with Cascade Volunteers to hide ornaments on nearly 40 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 20, 2026!

In the meantime, here are some of the broader regions where ornaments will be hidden. Start planning your adventure now with ideas for where to eat, drink, stay, and play this holiday season!

McKenzie River region

Follow Highway 126 east of Eugene—and into the Cascade Range, where you'll see raging waterfalls and the thundering McKenzie River.

Sweet Home area

This forested corner of the Willamette Valley—between Detroit Lake, the McKenzie River, and the city of Albany—offers river views, waterfalls, and more.

Cascade Range

Follow Highway 58 east of Eugene to enjoy quiet rivers and creeks, old-growth forests, and remote summits.

Detroit Ranger District

This region, in the Cascade Range east of Salem, centers around the Detroit Lake reservoir.

Cottage Grove area

The Cottage Grove Ranger District is in the Umpqua National Forest—just southeast of Eugene on the western slopes of Oregon's Cascade Range.

Be Ready For Winter

Before heading out:

Make sure to wear layers so you stay comfortable

Check the National Weather Service for updated forecasts
Research road conditions with the Oregon Department of Transportation’s TripCheck tool.

Note that Forest Service roads and trailhead parking areas are not plowed—so if they're not passable or are unreachable, do not park along busy roads or highways.

More Winter Safety Tips

Tips For Having Fun and Staying Safe

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.
Be sure to leave no trace to stay safe, protect our forests, and have the best possible experience.
Amenities, such as drinking water and restrooms, may not be available or maintained at your desired trailheads; be prepared for a self-supported trip when searching for an ornament.
Please take one ornament per household so fellow hikers can claim their own.
Share your adventure with us by uploading photos to be featured on our social channels — and 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.

Support Our National Forests

This winter, we'd love for you to support the folks who make the Willamette National Forest such a magical place to play all year long.

Please consider supporting organizations such as the nonprofit Cascade Volunteers (which lays the ornaments for this hunt and performs trail maintenance throughout the year) or the National Forest Foundation (which preserves and protects national forests across the United States).

Donate to Cascade Volunteers

For more information, read the sweepstakes rules for the Willamette Valley Ornament Hunt.

The Willamette Valley Visitors Association works to leave no trace in the outdoors and encourages all ornament hunters to do the same. All ornaments have been tagged, and any remaining after the hunt concludes will be picked up by volunteers as soon as possible.