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Submission
Detroit Ranger District (US Highway 22) [A view of Mt Jefferson covered in snow](http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_MEDIA/fseprd540067.jpg)Detroit Ranger District is located in the northern part of the Willamette National Forest, bordering Mt. Hood National Forest and the Warm Springs Indian Reservation. This area is accessible from the west on Highway 22 from Salem, from the east on Highway 22 via Highway 20/126 from the Santiam Pass area, or from the north on Forest Road 46 from the Mt. Hood National Forest. Camping Here you will find popular campgrounds in the Detroit Lake Area, as well as Breitenbush Campground and Shady Cove Campground that serve as the base for adventures such as hiking, horseback riding, OHV riding, swimming, and more. Hiking [A view from Three Pools Day Use Area with the North Fork of the Santiam River rushing over the rocks](http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_MEDIA/fseprd540068.jpg) Incredible vistas await while backpacking in the Mt. Jefferson - Jefferson Park Trail Area and the Opal Creek Scenic Recreation Area. Many day hiking opportunities can be found throughout the district such as the Detroit Reservoir Trail Area and Coffin Mountain Trail Area. Other Recreation Many areas offer great boating and swimming such as the Detroit Lake Area, Elk Lake Campground, and Three Pools Day Use Area.
We stopped by to talk about a trail and buy a map. The three people who worked there completely ignored us while they talked to two friends (?) about non-outdoor stuff. They also were blocking the maps so we couldn’t even access them, we tried a few times to stand at the counter and get to the maps but were completely ignored and blocked by boxes and people. After 15 minutes we left without even being acknowledged.
The rangers were very helpful in understanding and telling us where we can hike and where we can't do the wildfires that they have had they've had suggested some trails and they were actually open
Amazing place. Great facility with good information and friendly staff. Open on weekends during summer. Tons of maps and guidebooks. Laminated copies of popular maps are out on the counter with a ranger willing to talk about the area. Some Forest service swag for sale. Could do a little better with information about the area only because the ranger there was new to the area and didn't have local experience. Sorry for the poor picture of the outdoor information poster.
We recently stopped by and the rangers were very helpful and friendly.
We came in to chat about dispersed camping and they informed us that a lot of the best spots have had to be closed recently due to people leaving behind trash or treating the place badly. Please don't be those people and ruin the nature for the rest of us!
They were great in pointing us in the right direction, and we had a wonderful weekend.
0 stars for people that don't follow 'leave no trace', 10 stars for the kind people at this ranger station.
