Outdoor access nearby in Skyline Forest
Key takeaway:
One thing that makes Central Oregon so appealing is the abundance of readily available opportunities to get outside and experience nature. Skyline Forest offers respite and adventure aplenty for the people of Central Oregon.
An outdoor oasis for all
Skyline Forest has maintained a dual identity as both a working tree farm and recreational oasis for Central Oregon communities. Over the years, informal access to Skyline Forest’s private lands has led to the creation of an unofficial network of trails enjoyed by hikers, bikers, birders, runners, equestrians, and others seeking a place to explore amidst fresh air and scenic views.
Local biking groups have long enjoyed and cared for this special place, freely sharing intel on the best gravel biking in Skyline Forest with the greater Bend biking community. Professional bikers come here to train and enjoy themselves on these trails close to town.
The birding community enjoys a diverse selection of prime areas from which to view our feathered friends - from the high vantage point of Three Creek Butte down to the wildflower-laden creekside of Bull Springs.
Skyline Forest’s location beneath the towering Cascades to the west and panoramic desert views to the east affords visitors some of the best sunrise and sunset views in Central Oregon. Located just minutes west of Bend, this exceptionally accessible forestland provides access to outdoor opportunities for all Central Oregonians.
“I think the most compelling thing about Skyline is the expanse of undeveloped land. There’s plenty of room to explore without running into fences, highways, or housing developments. From the views from the Two Bulls burn area to the remote paths through tall Ponderosas, there’s ample opportunity to find your own favorite places.”
- Robin Budd, Central Oregonian
“I've ridden hundreds - maybe even thousands - of miles in Skyline, and every time I go there it is magical. The views are spectacular. The season of riding is very, very long. And so from a recreational standpoint, you can go on these amazing adventures, but never be that far from home. I think that's a huge appeal.”
- Serena Gordon, Professional Cyclist
The fungus among us
For those looking to pair their culinary and exploratory predilections, Skyline Forest has just the thing. The range of elevation between approximately 3,600 and 5,500 feet provides prime foraging opportunities for mushrooms. This includes the prized morel, especially at the higher elevations and in the recently burned area that borders the Deschutes National Forest. Local foragers have enjoyed a particularly productive last decade, thanks in part to the Rooster Rock fire that swept through the area in 2010. The first two to three years after a burn can be especially good ‘shroom hunting.
With future wildfires a near certainty in Skyline Forest, the foraging community will likely be able to take advantage of this natural treasure hunt for some time to come.
A burn morel found in Skyline Forest. Photo: Lisa Sipe.
Connection to place & well-being
Local conservation groups like the Deschutes Land Trust have led educational explorations throughout Skyline Forest for years. These hikes span a wide range of topics from the volcanic origins of our landscape to the seasonal palette of wildflowers. Additional vibrant programming in Skyline Forest has included exercises in meditation, drawing, and group bike tours. These are valuable, community-building activities that enrich and enliven Central Oregon - and connect countless people and generations to this place we call home.
Even a simple walk amongst a forest of ponderosa pines can offer health benefits and evoke a powerful sense of nature’s majesty. If you’ve ever spent a warm summer day in Skyline Forest, you’ll recognize the pleasant scent of their bark as an integral part of the sensory experience. Old-growth “pondos” actually smell like vanilla, thanks to the organic compound vanillin found in their wood pulp. A deliciously aromatic reason to mosey up close and hug a special tree.
Private ownership of Skyline Forest means uncertain access
Despite the widespread recreational use by many active communities, the reality is that this forestland is privately owned. Therefore, public access is entirely dependent on the whims of the current landowner. In 2015, this 33,000 acres of land for sale near Bend, Oregon was purchased by international investment group Whitefish Cascades Forest Resources LLC. The group is now known as Shanda Asset Management, and in 2019 they listed the Bull Springs Skyline Forest for sale.
This is a serious cause for concern to many Central Oregonians. Issues of wildfire liability and the possibility of a new landowner mean the future use and access to this community treasure is very uncertain. The recent closure of the property in August 2022 due to elevated summertime fire risk is an unprecedented example of this precarious relationship. Until a conservation solution is achieved, sustained public access to Skyline Forest is not guaranteed.
Community access to Skyline Forest, always
Central Oregon believes in a vision for Skyline Forest that celebrates the great outdoors close to home. Community access for recreation, education, connection, and well-being is a vital part of Skyline Forest’s inclusive and healthy future.