Willamette Valley Ornament Hunt begins on November 20

2026 marks the 9th annual Ornament Hunt in the Willamette Valley. This year, the Ornament Hunt is expanding beyond the Willamette National Forest and Umpqua National Forest to include trails in the Mt. Hood National Forest, Siuslaw National Forest, Northwest Oregon Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Recreation Areas, and Milo McIver State Park.

350 locally-crafted wooden ornaments will be hidden by Cascade Volunteers along non-wilderness trails for lucky hikers to find in the following recreation areas:

• Willamette National Forest: Detroit, Sweet Home, McKenzie River, and Middle Fork Ranger Districts
• Umpqua National Forest: Cottage Grove Ranger District
• Mt. Hood National Forest: Clackamas River Ranger District
• Siuslaw National Forest: Central Coast Ranger District
• Northwest Oregon BLM Recreation Areas
• Milo McIver State Park

A complete list of trails is available here.

The Willamette Valley Visitors Association abides by leave no trace principles; once the contest closes, all ornaments are geo-tagged and remaining ornaments will be picked up by U.S. Forest Service professionals or Cascade Volunteers.

Also new in 2026 is “Ornaments for All Abilities,” a special, one-day event on Saturday, December 5, 2026 from 10:00am to 2:00pm at the McKenzie River Discovery Center in Walterville, Oregon. In celebration of International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3, this family-friendly event features additional ornaments hidden on accessible trails, food trucks, vendors, holiday photo opportunities, and more.

Ornaments
The design on the locally-crafted wooden ornament features a regional theme. To mark the Ornament Hunt’s expansion to more trails this year, the design celebrates exploring new places and the beauty of the Willamette Valley, with a classic VW bus inspired by Eugene’s free-spirited charm, a fresh-cut Christmas tree in a wintery scene, and snow-capped Mt. Hood in the background. Each ornament will also include a tag describing how to register for the grand prize.

Ornaments can be purchased at local visitor centers and online. All proceeds from ornament sales benefit Cascade Volunteers, the 501(c)(3) friends group of the Willamette National Forest. Cascade Volunteers work to connect individuals and communities to the Willamette National Forest and adjacent public lands through programs, stewardship, and education. More information is available here.

Prize
Hike-and-seekers can register the ornament they find online for a chance to win the grand prize, a weekend getaway to the Willamette Valley.

Key Dates

• Ornament Hunt Opens: Friday, November 20, 2026
• Ornament Hunt Closes: December 31, 2026
• Contest winner chosen and notified by January 25, 2027

For more information, visit the Ornament Hunt website or email the Willamette Valley Visitors Association.

About the Willamette Valley Visitors Association
The Willamette Valley Visitors Association (WVVA) is a regional destination management organization focused on promoting responsible tourism and regional economic well-being that benefits residents and visitors alike. Their mission is to enhance the region’s vitality by cultivating authentic experiences to support local communities, ensuring the Willamette Valley’s long-term resilience. They are dedicated to fostering the prosperity of the Willamette Valley as a welcoming and inclusive year-round destination.