Visit Wilderness

Search for a wilderness as the destination for your next outdoor adventure.

Bob Marshall Wilderness Area, Minnesota

Why Visit Wilderness?

While wilderness can be appreciated from afar—through online content, television, or books—nothing compares to experiencing it firsthand. Activities like camping, hiking, or hunting allow you to fully enjoy the recreational, ecological, spiritual, and health benefits that wilderness areas offer. These areas provide “outstanding opportunities for solitude or a primitive and unconfined type of recreation,” chances to observe wildlife, moments to renew and refresh, and the physical benefits of outdoor exercise. In many wilderness areas, you can even bring your well-behaved dog.

Learn more about the diverse ways in which we benefit from wilderness and threats wilderness areas face today.

This isolated Wilderness boasts about a dozen lakes measuring at least one acre and chock-full of trout. These blue jewels are nestled throughout the mountains, accessible by trail but separated by high ridges.

The mountain slopes are quite steep, with lower inclines ranging from 30 to 60 degrees and upper inclines from 60 to 90 degrees. Numerous streams cut through the peaks, including the major headwaters of the Collawash, Breitenbush, and Little North Santiam Rivers.

The vegetation varies according to the elevation, from sparse subalpine forestland that extends to 5,700 feet to dense old-growth Douglas fir and western hemlock, one of the last stands of old growth in western Oregon.

The northern spotted owl shares these lofty branches with at least five other species of owls. Chances are slim that you'll ever encounter one of these nocturnal creatures; you're much more likely to see deserted mine shafts and old equipment, relics of past mining activity.

Not far west lies Table Rock Wilderness.

At 5,523 feet, Bull of the Woods Peak marks the hub of a relatively challenging 68-mile trail system, with several loop opportunities for overnight or long weekend hikes. An old lookout at the summit still commands an astounding view of the surrounding area. The Pansy Lake Trail to the lookout tower travels about 1.2 easy miles to pretty-as-a-flower Pansy Lake before starting to climb.

The Hot Springs Trail leads about 1.5 miles to Bagby Hot Springs, where you can melt into one of the steamy soaking tubs. Rangers don't allow camping here, so after your soak you can pick up the same trail and head more than 13 miles across the middle of the Wilderness.

Twin Lakes and Elk Lake are the most popular, and show the impact of poor camping habits.

Leave No Trace

How to follow the seven standard Leave No Trace principles differs in different parts of the country (desert vs. Rocky Mountains). Click on any of the principles listed below to learn more about how they apply in the Bull of the Woods Wilderness.

Plan Ahead and Prepare
Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
Dispose of Waste Properly
Leave What You Find
Minimize Campfire Impacts
Respect Wildlife
Be Considerate of Other Visitors

For more information on Leave No Trace, Visit the Leave No Trace, Inc. website.

Location

Maps

Digital and paper maps are critical tools for wilderness visitors. Online maps can help you plan and prepare for your visit ahead of time. You can also carry digital maps with you on your GPS unit or other handheld GPS device. Having a paper map with you in the backcountry, as well as solid orienteering skills, however, ensures that you can still route-find in the event that your electronic device fails.

Online Maps

Interactive Map of the Bull of the Woods Wilderness
FS Topographic Map
Google Earth

Oregon Wildernesses

Printed Maps

Fetching MyTopo from Database

USGS Store

Rules & Regulations

Motorized equipment and equipment used for mechanical transport is generally prohibited in all wilderness areas. This includes the use of motor vehicles, motorboats, motorized equipment, bicycles, hang gliders, wagons, carts, portage wheels, and the landing of aircraft including helicopters.

Wilderness-Specific Regulations

Learn more about why regulations may be necessary in wilderness.

Contacts

Applicable Wilderness Law(s)

Public Law 98-328

Date: June 26, 1984
Acreage: 34,900 acres

Oregon Wilderness Act of 1984 - Public law 98-328 (6/26/1984) To designate certain national forest system lands in the State of Oregon for inclusion in the National Wilderness Preservation System, and for other purposes

For more information (To download or see all affected wilderness areas) visit our law library for 98-328 or special provisions for 98-328 or legislative history for 98-328.

Public Law 111-11

Date: March 30, 2009
Acreage: 10,180 acres

Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 - Public law 111-11 (3/30/2009) An act to designate certain land as components of the National Wilderness Preservation System, to authorize certain programs and activities in the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture, and for other purposes.

For more information (To download or see all affected wilderness areas) visit our law library for 111-11 or special provisions for 111-11 or legislative history for 111-11.

Want to Volunteer for Wilderness?

People who volunteer their time to steward our wilderness areas are an essential part of wilderness management. Contact the following groups to inquire about volunteer opportunities. Groups are listed alphabetically by the state(s) in which the wilderness is located.