Tillamook Forest Center
Tillamook Forest Center
4.5
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Located in the heart of the Tillamook State Forest, the Tillamook Forest Center offers interpretive exhibits, family nature programs, K-12 field trips and facility rentals. It's fun, accessible and free! Discover lessons of the past, present and future of this dynamic forest with hands-on learning and a sense of exploration you'll find nowhere else.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
157 reviews
Excellent
123
Very good
29
Average
4
Poor
0
Terrible
1
Into the Woods
San Francisco Bay Area, CA49 contributions
Aug 2024 • Family
Really nice facility that sheds light on Oregon history and geography. Interactive features for the kids to enjoy (fire tower, bridge, river, museum displays). Two interpretive talks per day were offered for the kids. We attended one about animal skulls and the ranger did a great job. I would have liked to read more of the museum info (and see the movie) but my kids are bananas, so I had to enjoy the glimpses I could catch, as I hustled off to prevent the kids from exploring the river beyond their means. Other families had planned ahead better and brought gear to enjoy the water.
Written August 5, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kathy E
Portland, Oregon2,737 contributions
Jun 2023 • Couples
What a great find! A lovely, air-conditioned visitor center with excellent displays, a worthwhile film, and helpful employees. Large clean restrooms were a real plus.
We went on a 4 mile round trip, level hike along the Wilson River to Wilson Falls. It was just right for me at 75-years-old. You can hike farther if you wish or stop sooner and sit on a small beach.
Oh, and there's tons of parking. That's a real bonus along the Wilson River.
We went on a 4 mile round trip, level hike along the Wilson River to Wilson Falls. It was just right for me at 75-years-old. You can hike farther if you wish or stop sooner and sit on a small beach.
Oh, and there's tons of parking. That's a real bonus along the Wilson River.
Written July 2, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Diane C
Tillamook, OR46 contributions
Sep 2013 • Friends
This place is free and has so much to see! Outstanding displays for kids (and adults), a great short movie about the Tillamook Burn, a replica of a fire watchtower, walking paths leading through nearby forests, plenty of parking AND a nice gift shop. Definitely worth your time. Check for winter hours, though.
Written October 23, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SolItam7890
Tel Aviv District, Israel13 contributions
Jul 2014 • Family
Despite my love for history, the outdated displays failed to connect. The bathrooms were dirty and would not recommend as a family event.
Written July 29, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
luv2trvlRedondoBeach
Redondo Beach, CA649 contributions
Oct 2017 • Family
We were on our way from Forest Grove to Tillamook and saw a large road sign stating Family Fun. My husband begrudgingly turned around to go back and we were so grateful he did as it was the highlight of our weekend.
We started out watching the film in the visitor's center. It was about the fires that occurred 80 years ago. I was touched by the movie, as the forest is what it is today because of the tenaciousness of the locals. It is an inspiration for the youth, as one can actually see what is possible when one puts their mind to something, and that every tree does count.
After watching the video we wandered through the visitor's center, and then we went outside to take pictures from the bridge. It was a beautiful sunny 70 degree fall day. The leaves were a butterscotch color and they floated off the trees. The creek was sparkling in the sunlight. It truly was spectacular.
On the other side of the bridge are walking trails. We walked for a half an hour down stream hoping to see salmon swimming up the stream, but no such luck. The walking trail was somewhat muddy, but it is flat and the ground is stable.
We ended our visit climbing the fire lookout. It afforded lovely views of the tree tops.
The staff was very helpful. There is a small gift store with reasonably priced items. The visitor's center is free, though they accept donations, and we willingly donated as our country needs more centers like this as it reaffirms ones confidence in humanity.
We started out watching the film in the visitor's center. It was about the fires that occurred 80 years ago. I was touched by the movie, as the forest is what it is today because of the tenaciousness of the locals. It is an inspiration for the youth, as one can actually see what is possible when one puts their mind to something, and that every tree does count.
After watching the video we wandered through the visitor's center, and then we went outside to take pictures from the bridge. It was a beautiful sunny 70 degree fall day. The leaves were a butterscotch color and they floated off the trees. The creek was sparkling in the sunlight. It truly was spectacular.
On the other side of the bridge are walking trails. We walked for a half an hour down stream hoping to see salmon swimming up the stream, but no such luck. The walking trail was somewhat muddy, but it is flat and the ground is stable.
We ended our visit climbing the fire lookout. It afforded lovely views of the tree tops.
The staff was very helpful. There is a small gift store with reasonably priced items. The visitor's center is free, though they accept donations, and we willingly donated as our country needs more centers like this as it reaffirms ones confidence in humanity.
Written November 8, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for the great review! We're so glad you found us and had a chance to enjoy the forest and the center on a beautiful day.
Written November 10, 2017
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Dale H
Tillamook, OR1,327 contributions
Aug 2015 • Solo
You will learn a lot at the Tillamook Forest Center and it is totally free! There is an amazing movie about the "Seven Year Curse" of the recurring Tillamook Burns, there is a great little gift shop for souvenirs and educational items, and there is a reconstructed Fire Tower to climb for exercise and more education!
Written September 10, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jcravens
Portland, OR105 contributions
Sep 2014 • Couples
I love history, and I love forests - therefore, I really enjoyed the Tillamook Forest Center. We've passed by on our motorcycles so many times, and I always think, we should stop there some day... finally, I just zipped in one day on our way to something else. It's got lots of information about the history of the area, particularly the big burn. I really liked the information regarding the Civilian Conservation Corps - I love all references to the work of the CCC. On a beautiful day, its great to spend time outside, on the suspension bridge, climbing the tower, and even walking down to the river. The trails are nice too, as is the gift shop. I was afraid this would be a center all about the products of the forest and how logging is so wonderful - instead, I got a very balanced view of what forests mean to both humans, regarding their lifestyle and economic prosperity, and wildlife and ecosystems. This is a place for thinking people. I'd love to go back for one of their special events.
Written April 19, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for the lovely review! Very often our visitors find us by chance on their way to or from the beautiful Oregon Coast; and we’re glad you did too. We’re also glad to hear that you appreciated learning about how the Oregon Department of Forestry manages the Tillamook State Forest sustainably to provide the range of benefits we all enjoy. We hope you will be a frequent visitor and will encourage your friends and family to stop in as well.
Written April 26, 2015
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Ted K
Madbury36 contributions
Jul 2013 • Couples
On Rt.6 east of Tillamook, this museum looks relatively new and is a wonderful family museum to learn about forestry, some of the wildfires and wildlife. Lots of hands-on things, so the kids will love it. Great film about the Tillamook Burns. Staff was friendly and very helpful. If you're traveling on Rt.6, you must stop and check out this jewel.
Written July 9, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
smlhsr
San Francisco, CA29 contributions
Sep 2019
We stopped at the forest center about which we knew nothing and found ourselves delighted that we had stopped. It is creatively designed with interactive exhibits for kids of all ages,even those in their 60's and 70s. We learned a lot that we never new that we didn't know about the depression, about the contributions of previously unemployed people, about those in prison and about volunteers throughout the years. What an education we got from the movie, the exhibits and walking the an the outside trails. The center is hidden gem!!
Written September 30, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nancy SC
Eloy, AZ314 contributions
Jul 2019 • Friends
We’ve been coming to the area for years and always drove past the sign, so this time we decided to stop in. What a fun and informative visit. I had no idea the history of the Tillamook burn and I was delighted to see all of the informational exhibits, as well as the movie.
For our next visit, I will allow more time to explore the trails and the views available through the back of the visitor center. The gift area was cute and had a lot of variety of items to offer.
For our next visit, I will allow more time to explore the trails and the views available through the back of the visitor center. The gift area was cute and had a lot of variety of items to offer.
Written July 16, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
How much time should we plan on spending here?
Written August 7, 2019
Depends on how much you want to explore. Inside and outside there are experiences and learning opportunities everywhere. Hiking....a movie.....wild life....trails....river..... Beauty everywhere. Firewatch tower .....
Written August 8, 2019
California has the most famous Redondo Beach but there is also one in King County, Washington. Near Seattle, in Des Moines, WA. Don't know anything about either, though, sorry.
Written July 17, 2018
I have a 9 yr old, who loves hands on things, a couple of reviews said there was ,just wanted to hear it from you guys.
Written March 28, 2017
TillamookForestCnt
Tillamook, Oregon
Many apologies for the extremely late response. We do, in fact, have many hands on exhibits as well as programming in the summertime that are well suited for all age groups. In addition, we have a film with "smell-o-vision" and a number of outdoor exploration options including scavenger hunt opportunities. Hopefully, you still consider coming through the Center on your trips, and again, many apologies for the extremely late response. Should you ever need to get in contact with us feel free to call the toll-free number or email us.
Written August 6, 2017
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