Looking to spend more time outside this fall and winter? Bundle up for a mindful nature hike among rushing waterfalls and old-growth forests — and if you’re lucky, you might find one of 200 locally crafted wooden ornaments to bring home and add to your holiday decor.
The custom-designed ornaments are hidden throughout the Willamette Valley between Nov. 21 and Dec. 20, 2025 as part of the 8th annual Willamette Valley Ornament Hunt. They’re hidden along non-wilderness trails in these areas: McKenzie River (east of Eugene), Sweet Home (between Detroit Lake, the McKenzie River and the city of Albany), Cascade Range (east of Eugene), andDetroit (east of Salem).
If you find one, each ornament includes instructions on how to register to win a two-night getaway to the Willamette Valley.
Check out the roughly 20 trails here, and choose the right one for you and your crew. Here’s how to take part in the fun.
An Event for Everyone
The ornament hunt tradition was born in 2018 when the Willamette National Forest provided the Capitol Christmas Tree in Washington D.C. With all eyes on the Willamette Valley, leaders in the region created the hike-and-seek hunt to encourage visitors and residents to connect with public lands and increase outdoor recreation activities.
Once you find your trail, here are a few rules to note:
- Ornaments are placed along trails at eye level or lower, never in places that require you to go off trail. Stay on marked trails at all times.
- Experienced hikers are asked to go further along trails so less-experienced visitors can grab more easily accessible ornaments.
- Participants are asked to be kind and take only one per household. If you find more than one during your hike or the season, please leave it for others to find. Each household is allowed just one ornament registration.
Pro tip: Get out early, since there’s just one ornament drop, at the start of the event.
See more FAQs here.
Support Stewardship Efforts While You Hike
Not able to get out, or want an extra ornament as a gift? A limited number of ornaments are available for purchase at local tourism offices throughout the Willamette Valley. All proceeds benefit the nonprofit Cascade Volunteers, which supports trail maintenance in the forest. Funds will support the organization’s public land stewardship and maintenance efforts over the coming seasons.
Each year of the ornament hunt, the region chooses a unique ornament design to highlight a special aspect of the region. The latest ornament features mountain bikes, to spotlight these trail users and showcase its latest efforts to make its hiking and mountain biking trails more accessible so that all visitors can enjoy them, regardless of their ability.
The event is designed to be an inclusive outdoor experience. “With the introduction of select trails and trailheads with accessibility information and detailed guides, we’re ensuring that all adventurers, whether using wheelchairs, strollers, or other equipment, can confidently explore our region,” says Augusta Stockman, destination development coordinator for the Willamette Valley Visitors Association. “We’ve made it easier for visitors to understand what to expect in terms of parking, restrooms, and trail features, so they can plan their day with confidence.”
If You Go:
- Check weather and road conditions before you go, and be prepared for winter driving conditions.
- Be sure to carry your Ten Essentials for hiking, and practice Leave No Trace principles when venturing out. (Any remaining ornaments will be retrieved from the forest at the end of the event, in accordance with Leave No Trace principles.)
- Always stay on designated trails, and it’s best to start early in the day to give yourself plenty of time. Avoid hiking alone, but if you must, always tell a friend where you’re going.
- If you’re looking to take home a Christmas tree from the Willamette National Forest while you’re in the area, just register for a permit first.
Find additional trail information and hints through December follow Willamette Valley for Instagram updates.
