You'll Never Forget A Night Spent In This Ancient Forest In Oregon
By Catherine Armstrong|Published July 20, 2018
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Catherine Armstrong
Author
Writer, editor and researcher with a passion for exploring new places. Catherine loves local bookstores, independent films, and spending time with her family, including Gus the golden retriever, who is a very good boy.
Vast parts of Oregon are wild, secluded spots where you can get away from the noise and stress of cities and reconnect with nature. Here’s a truly special place that’s nestled deep in an ancient forest, and you’re going to want to visit.
Opal Creek Ancient Forest Center is located deep in the woods, at Jawbone Flats. The 15-acre property offers outdoor school opportunities, family excursions and workshops, and camping. The center is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that aims to educate about wilderness conservation.
Opal Creek Ancient Forest Center is completely off-grid. It uses hydroelectricity and solar power and even has its own small water treatment facility. While Internet service via satellite may be available, there's no phone, television, video games, or other distractions here.
For part of the year, this center is filled with the sounds of schoolchildren, who come here to learn camping, hiking, and backcountry skills, and develop a lifelong love of Oregon's wilderness.
The center also offers workshops for adults and families, as well as guided hikes and backpacking expeditions. If you want to experience a unique family vacation, consider a stay here!
To escape from the hustle and bustle of your everyday life, stay in one of the cabins here. They're rustic, but offer running water, electricity, and cozy beds with some linens (bring your sleeping bag or warm blanket). Use the gear shuttle, or save $40 per night by hiking into the center on your own.
If you'd like to rough-it a little more, rent one of the tent platforms on the edge of Battle Ax Creek. You can rent a tent platform on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday nights. The rental fee is $60 per adult and $30 for kids ages 4-13, and includes meals, fresh water, and use of a composting toilet.
Stop in at the Company Store to check out Opal Creek merchandise including t-shirts, hoodies, canvas tote bags, water bottles, coffee mugs, and more. Help support this worthy non-profit so that they can keep offering education for kids, families, and adults.
If you're feeling overwhelmed by the stress of life, and you want to get out into Oregon's wilderness, consider a stay at Opal Creek Ancient Forest Center.
