Rogue River–Siskiyou National Forest, National forest and protected areas in Oregon and California, US
Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest is a national forest and group of protected areas spanning southwestern Oregon and a portion of northern California, reaching from the Cascade Range through the Siskiyou Mountains toward the Pacific coast. It covers two main sections of land with rivers, mountains, high desert zones, and old-growth forest.
The forest was established in 1908 by President Theodore Roosevelt, and the name Rogue River traces back to the Takelma people who lived in this region for generations. The word Siskiyou likely comes from a French phrase used by early fur trappers, though its exact origin remains debated.
The forest is easily reached from nearby cities like Medford, Grants Pass, and Ashland via Interstate 5, with different entry points leading to different sections. Some areas may be temporarily closed for wildfire preparedness or other reasons, so checking road and weather conditions before heading out is a good idea.
The Kalmiopsis Wilderness within the forest is home to the Kalmiopsis flower, one of the oldest plant species in North America, which survived the last ice age. The port orford cedar, another tree found here, grows with distinctively twisted branches and is rarely found outside this region.
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