Cougar Ridge Trailhead

About Cougar Ridge Trailhead

The trail is well signed at the trailhead, boundary and all junctions. This site provides access to Cougar Ridge trail #1668 which enters Eagle Cap Wilderness.Much of this trail is along the ridgetop, but will go in and out of old burned forested areas where you will see many ponderosa pine trees. The trailhead is equipped with a stock unloading ramp. This trail also offers excellent wildlife viewing opportunities. There are many dispersed campsites along this route. The guard station cabin is in good condition, but is not for public use. There are several trails that come together near the cabin, making it an excellent choice for a base camp.View a printable information sheet about this area and a map of the trail (PDF File)

How to Get There

Located 27 miles west of Enterprise, OR, off State Highway #82. Turn left at the Fish Hatchery onto the Big Canyon road, Forest Road #8270 and travel approximately 18 miles to the trailhead. This is a gravel road and can be rough after the spring thaw.

Plan Your Visit to Cougar Ridge Trailhead

Heading to Cougar Ridge Trailhead? A few things to know before you go:

• Reservations: popular sites fill up fast — check Recreation.gov 6 months in advance
• Fees: day-use and camping fees vary; check current rates on the official park page
• Trash & pack-out: follow Leave No Trace principles
• Wildlife: store food in bear boxes where provided; never feed wildlife
• Weather: the 5-day forecast above is updated every 6 hours; verify just before you go

References & Official Resources

• Official Recreation.gov page
• View on OpenStreetMap
• Driving directions (Google Maps)