Blue Mountain Forest State Scenic Corridor in Oregon, USA - map and visitor information

Research checked: 2026-10-30. Check linked official notices before travel.

Blue Mountain Forest State Scenic Corridor protects mature evergreen forest along the Old Oregon Trail Highway in northeastern Oregon. Between Deadman's Pass and Spring Creek, it offers a roadside forest stop near La Grande, with a viewpoint and wildlife viewing.

A forest corridor through the Blue Mountains

The attraction is the surviving forest along this road corridor. Ponderosa pine, western larch, Engelmann spruce, lodgepole pine, and grand fir grow in intermittent old-growth stands beside the I-84 region.

Know before you go

Fees, hours, and seasonal access

Watch wildlife without approaching

Deer, elk, and cougars inhabit the corridor. Oregon State Parks advises visitors to stay aware of their surroundings and never approach or feed wildlife. Keep dogs restrained to prevent encounters with wild animals.

Pets and considerate stops

Keep pets physically restrained, using a leash no longer than 6 feet, and pick up their waste. The Oregon State Parks visitor rules explain applicable pet controls and wildlife guidance.

Maps, location, and access

The corridor follows the Old Oregon Trail Highway between Deadman's Pass and Spring Creek near La Grande. Use the directions link on the official corridor page to locate the property along your route.

Nearby parks

• Emigrant Springs State Heritage Area lies between Pendleton and La Grande near the Blue Mountains summit. Its park roads can be snowy or icy in winter.
• Hilgard Junction State Park sits at I-84 and Highway 244. Its eastern day-use parking area remains open, but water is turned off and bathrooms are closed for winter under the October 11, 2026 advisory.

Observe the roadside forest

Use the viewpoint to take in the forest landscape and look for wildlife. The mixture of evergreen species gives the corridor its character. Keep wildlife viewing at a distance.

Viewpoint access

Oregon State Parks identifies the viewpoint and wildlife-viewing features as accessible. For a particular mobility need, contact the park information office about the stop you intend to use.

A protected roadside landscape

Oregon Parks and Recreation Department manages the property as a State Scenic Corridor. It preserves mature forest within the Blue Mountains travel route.

Land assembled for the wayside

The state obtained the wayside from several owners between 1927 and 1937, with later adjustments in 1959 and 1983.

Forest mammals and native vegetation

White-tailed deer, mule deer, Rocky Mountain elk, and cougars inhabit the corridor. The mature stands include both pines and conifers such as Engelmann spruce and grand fir.

Corridor information

Call 541-983-2277 for park information or 800-551-6949 for Oregon State Parks information.