Private timberlands

About private timberlands

Some of the routes on this website are on land owned by private timber companies that allow public access under certain conditions. Some require permits and some allow access only on weekends. Most prohibit access outside the window of 1 hour before sunrise to 1 hour after sunset and camping. Other prohibitions may include electric bicycles, motorcycles, and ATVs. All timber company lands are subject to fire season restrictions and closures (see more information below).

When entering land owned by private timber companies you may encounter active logging operations (including log trucks), particularly during the work week. Best times to ride routes on timber company land are on weekends, and particularly on Sunday. If you hear a log truck approaching, get off the road and wait for it to pass. This is for your own safety and in recognition that you are a guest on private property. You may also encounter what I like to call "log truck gravel." From time to time, timber companies re-gravel sections of road. This gravel is big, chunky, and loose. You can ride these routes on 40mm tires, but tires at least 2" wide are recommended in the event you encounter such gravel.

For the purposes of riding these routes, the major timber companies to know are Hancock Forests, Starker Forests, and Weyerhaeuser. More information about these companies is provided below.

Contents of this page

(1) Hancock Forests

(2) Starker Forests

(3) Weyerhaeuser

(4) Weyerhaeuser Black Rock Permit Areas

(5) Other private landowner contact information

(6) Additional major landowners in our area

(1) Hancock Forests

Hancock owns thousands of acres in the Oregon Coast Range. Particularly relevant for our routes is their ownership of the lands around the Old Railroad Grade. Hancock generally allows public access (including motorized and non-motorized travel) during daylight hours unless subject to fire season restrictions and closures. No permits are necessary. Hancock owns or administers lands that are listed on maps as being owned by Nestucca Forests and Golden Pond Timberlands.

Rules: The Stott Mountain - North Alsea Travel Management Area map states the following regarding Hancock Forest lands: Closed to the public 1 hour after sunset to 1 hour before sunrise; no camping; no fires, posted yellow Travel Management Area signed roads are closed to motor vehicles year round; motor vehicles on rocked roads only, no electric bikes; no motorcycles or ATVs.

Fire season: Hancock Forests lands are typically open for non-motorized access during industrial fire levels 1, 2, and 3, and closed during level 4. Motorized access is typically limited during fire levels 1 and 2 and closed during fire levels 3 and 4. For more information from Hancock Forests, call 503-838-1610.

(2) Starker Forests

Starker Forests is a locally owned timber company that manages thousands of acres in the Oregon Coast Range. They generously allow the public recreational access to many of their tree farms, and ask that visitors first obtain a free recreational permit that must be renewed each year. To obtain a permit, call their office at 541-929-2477 during office hours (Monday to Friday 8am to 3:30pm). For more information regarding permits, see: access our lands. Permits can be issued for up to 6 tree farms. More information about Starker's tree farms, including a map, can be found here. Fire season information from Starker can be viewed here.

Rules: The Starker Forests website states the following: Permits must be displayed on dash of vehicle when parked outside a gate; Do not block gate when parking vehicle. Vehicles blocking gates can be towed; No smoking; No fires; No camping; No target shooting; Obey posted signs; No littering or garbage dumping; Do not damage trees, roads, gates or equipment; Do not drive on dirt roads; No parking on adjacent landowner’s property without permission; No ATV’s or motorcycles, unless riding as a member of the Flat Mountain Riders in specific locations and at specific times; Comply with all state laws regarding hunting and fishing; For your safety, please avoid active logging operations; Building of trails on Starker Forest is prohibited; We do not issue permits for mushroom harvest; Access may be restricted on our lands, especially during fire season.

(3) Weyerhaeuser

Weyerhaeuser owns thousands of acres in the Oregon Coast Range. Information about public access can be obtained from the following sources:

Northwest Recreation Hotline message: 1-888-741-5403
Weyerhaeuser Northwest Recreation website: (855) 248-6872; northwestadmin@weyerhaeuser.com; Facebook page

Weyerhaeuser is a participant in the Stott Mountain - North Alsea Travel Management Area agreement, which states the following regarding lands owned by Weyerhaeuser: When lands are open, access is permitted 1 hour before sunrise to 1 hour after sunset. The only exception is the Mill Creek drainage located in Polk County (see location), which is closed to motor vehicles at the start of fire season and reopened when it's over; no camping; no fires, posted yellow Travel Management Area signed roads are closed to motor vehicles year round; motor vehicles on rocked roads only, no electric bikes; no motorcycles or ATVs.

According to Weyerhaeuser, the Siletz Gorge Road from Wildcat Bridge (1 mile north of Moonshine Park) to Gravel Creek is open for motorized and non-motorized access during weekends and non-motorized access during weekdays. Non-motorized access is allowed behind locked gates.

Fire season: At fire season level 3 all roads are walk in only, no motor vehicles. At fire season level 4 no public access. Information from Weyerhaeuser about fire season can be obtained by calling 888-741-5403.

(4) Weyerhaeuser Black Rock Permit Areas

These permit areas are south of Grand Ronde and west of Falls City. Access by non-permit holders is prohibited. Permits cost $75 (for a non-motorized permit) and $300 (for a motorized permit). This affects access to Valley of the Giants from Grand Ronde via Fire Hall Road. It also affects Black Rock Road west of the Black Rock mountain bike area west of Falls City. Weyerhaeuser controls the gate on Valsetz Road west of Falls City, but this is not affected by the Black Rock Permit Area. However, it is subject to closure during fire season (which often can happen during periods between July and September). Access to Valsetz and Valley of the Giants via the Old Railroad Grade is not affected by these permit areas as that gate is controlled by Hancock Forests.

Link to online interactive version of this map