hwd outdoor

From snowmobiling and skiing to winter festivals, caving, and ice skating, Klamath County offers a wide range of cold-weather adventures for visitors looking to embrace winter in Southern Oregon.

Oregon State Police Fish and Wildlife troopers have issued a criminal citation for the unlawful taking of Chinook salmon in the Klamath Basin, marking the first such case since the removal of dams on the Klamath River and the historic return of salmon to local waterways.

Oregon State Parks will host Winter Whale Watch Week from Dec. 27 through Dec. 31, offering visitors a chance to observe gray whales migrating south along the Oregon Coast with help from trained volunteers.

The Bureau of Land Management has approved expanded lithium exploration activities in southeast Oregon, authorizing a multi-year project on public lands near the Oregon-Nevada border.

Oregon will open its commercial Dungeness crab season Dec. 16 from Cape Falcon to the California border, with additional areas to open later once quality testing benchmarks are met.

A collaborative effort between ODF, ODFW, and the Oregon Hunters Association is helping the Walker Point meadow near Veneta flourish with native pollinators and wildlife in its second year of restoration.

Deschutes County will conduct winter pile burns on up to 24 acres near Seventh Mountain Resort and Points West, with weekday ignitions planned between December and February.

A prohibited Chinese mitten crab was found in the Willamette River near Portland, marking the second confirmed sighting of the invasive species in Oregon this year. ODFW is urging residents to report any suspected mitten crab sightings to help prevent potential environmental damage.

Oregon State Parks is seeking public input on proposed changes to reservations, fee ranges, and Special Access Pass rules as the agency works to address a projected $8 million operational shortfall. A virtual public hearing is scheduled for Dec. 15, with comments accepted through Jan. 15, 2026.

The National Park Service is rolling out major changes for 2026, including digital America the Beautiful passes, updated annual pass artwork, expanded motorcycle benefits, and a revised pricing structure for U.S. residents and international visitors.

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife has issued several updates ahead of the holiday weekend, including two statewide free fishing days, expanded public access on the restored Klamath River, and a coastwide delay to the commercial Dungeness crab season. Recreational crabbing and clamming remain open in many areas, while winter weather may affect river site access.

South Fork Forest Camp crews removed 12 trailer loads of debris from a large illegal dump site in the Tillamook State Forest, a weeklong effort officials say highlights the growing problem of illegal dumping across Oregon’s state forests.

Mt. Bachelor has postponed its planned Nov. 28 opening day due to warm, dry weather and limited snowpack. With only a 2-inch base reported, the resort says it will open as soon as conditions allow and will announce a new date once sufficient snowfall arrives.

More than $28 million in federal funding will support new wildfire-mitigation projects across Oregon. The USDA-funded grants, made possible through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will help communities reduce hazardous fuels, strengthen evacuation routes, and expand prescribed fire and defensible space work.

Firefighters on the Plumas National Forest Feather River Ranger District plan to ignite approximately 53 acres of prescribed pile burns on Wednesday across four locations near La Porte, American House, Strawberry Valley, and Little Grass Valley Reservoir. Smoke and minor travel impacts are expected.

Oregon State Parks has completed several major improvement projects funded by 2021 GO Bonds, including upgrades at Beverly Beach, Nehalem Bay, and Fort Stevens. However, rising costs and a projected budget shortfall have forced the agency to delay multiple projects and redirect remaining funds to essential maintenance.

Shasta-Trinity National Forest officials plan to conduct multiple prescribed burns November 17–21, weather permitting. The burns, spanning districts from McCloud to Trinity Lake, are designed to reduce hazardous fuels and improve forest health.

Oregon State Parks will end its acceptance of Jackson County parking permits at two local state parks starting January 1, 2026, citing budget shortfalls and the need for long-term financial sustainability.

Willamette Pass Ski Resort is investing nearly $500,000 in upgrades to improve snowmaking, rentals, and lodge facilities, part of a multi-year effort to strengthen the mountain experience and support local communities.

Bear Camp Road has reopened following the Moon Complex Fire, restoring access between the Rogue Valley and the Southern Oregon Coast. Officials warn that hazards remain, and some trails and campsites along the Rogue River remain closed.