When you think of rainforest, the tropical forests of Costa Rica might come to mind, but did you know that we have one right here in Oregon? It's a temperate rainforest, and you'll find it in the northwestern part of the state.
The Valley of the Giants covers 51 acres, and you'll find it about 31 miles east of Lincoln City.
This stunning little temperate rain forest gets more 180 inches of rain every year, and it's full of towering Western Hemlocks and Douglas firs.
The area is considered an "outstanding natural area," and is managed by the Bureau of Land Management. The Siletz River runs right through it.
The best way to explore this area is by taking the 1.4-mile loop trail.
The trailhead can be pretty tricky to find, so get some good directions from the Salem District Office of the BLM.
Because the area is used for logging, you'll want to make sure to watch for logging trucks and make way for them.
Along the loop trail, you'll see some absolutely gigantic trees, and fallen trees that the BLM has cut through to allow the trail to continue.
To get some perspective of just how giant these trees are, check out this photo. You can see that the trunk lying on its side is as tall as a man!
It's very important to stay on the trail here so that you don't make an impact on the soil, plants, and trees. You'll still be able to see a large variety of the plant life typical of an old-growth forest right from the designated path.
Enjoy your adventure in Oregon's temperate rainforest, but make sure to follow Leave No Trace Principles.
Your dog is welcome to accompany you on this loop trail; just make sure to pick up after him.
Have you visited the Valley of the Giants? We'd love to hear about your adventure there; tell us in the comments!
From Valley of the Giants, it's a short drive to Lincoln City, where you'll find this restaurant with endless ocean views.
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