The Cougar Recreation Area is a specially designated area around Cougar Reservoir. It includes a 1/2-mile strip on either side of Forest Service Road 19 from Hwy 126 to Forest Service Road 1927 as well as Terwilliger Hot Springs, Hidden Lake Day Use Area, areas surrounding Delta Campground, Slide Creek Campground, and Echo/East Fork Day Use and Boat Ramp.
To provide for public safety, the following acts are prohibited in the areas and on the roads described in this order within the administrative boundaries of the Willamette National Forest.
PROHIBITIONS:
Dispersed camping outside of designated campgrounds.
CLOSURE AREA DESCRIPTION:
Within the Closure Area, as described below and shown on the attached Exhibit A, dispersed camping outside of designated campgrounds is prohibited:
North Zone
- From Forest Road 19 and the Highway 126 junction, follow Highway 126 west to the section line dividing section 24 and section 19 (T16S & R04E and T16S & R05E) near mile post 45, the area is ½ mile wide going north up the section line, then east to Mill Creek, and Highway 126 to the south, excluding any private land within the area.
- The area surrounding Delta Campground bordered by Highway 126 to the north, Forest Road 19 to the east, the South Fork of the McKenzie River to the south, and McKenzie River to the West.
West Zone
- The area that is ½ mile on either side of Forest Road 19 beginning at the junction of Forest Road 19 and Highway 126 to milepost 16 at the junction of Forest Road 19 and Forest Road 1927, which is the southernmost part of the closure along Forest Road 19.
East Zone
- The area that begins at Cougar Dam at the Forest Road 19 and Forest Road 1993 junction, ½ mile on either side of Forest Road 1993 to the junction of Forest Road 1994.
- The area that begins at the junction of Forest Road 19 and Forest Road 19-410, ½ mile, including both sides of the Forest Road 19-410 to the base of Cougar Dam.
- The area that begins at the junction of Forest Road 19 and 19-500, ½ mile on either side of Forest Road 19-500 to Slide Creek Campground.
Hidden Lake
- The area located within ½ mile of Hidden Lake.
The affected area within Exhibit B is described as:
- The area bordered by the Lower McKenzie Trailhead to the west of the McKenzie River Ranger Station, encompassing all land between the McKenzie River to the north, and Highway 126 to the south, and bordered by Forest Road 26-302 to the east. This description is to exclude private land holdings within the affected area.
EXEMPTIONS:
Pursuant to 36 CFR § 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this Order:
- Persons with Forest Service Permit No. FS-7700-48 (Permit for Use of Roads, Trails, or Areas Restricted by Regulation or Order), specifically exempting them from this Order;
- Any Federal, State, or Local Officer or member of any organized rescue or firefighting force in the performance of an official duty.
These restrictions are implemented for the safety of the public.
These prohibitions are in addition to the general prohibitions in 36 CFR Part 261, Subparts A.
Violations of this prohibition are punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, or imprisonment for not more than 6 months, or both (16 USC § 551; 18 USC §§ 3551, 3571 and 3581).
Executed in Springfield, Oregon on this 18th day of February 2025.
Duane Bishop
Forest Supervisor(Acting)
Willamette National Forest
Camp Observer
