H. B. Van Duzer Forest State Scenic Corridor
🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆 Ancient old-growth Sitka spruce forest along Highway 18 — some trees over 200 feet tall and 500+ years old! Named for Henry B. Van Duzer, champion of Oregon’s state highway system.
Visitor Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Lincoln County, Oregon |
| Entry Fee | Free (Oregon Coast) / Day-Use Permit |
About H.B. Van Duzer Forest
H.B. Van Duzer Forest State Scenic Corridor protects a magnificent stand of old-growth Sitka spruce and western hemlock along Highway 18 between the Willamette Valley and the coast. Some trees in this 80-acre grove are over 400 years old and tower more than 200 feet high. Named for Henry B. Van Duzer, an Oregon Highway Commissioner who fought to preserve scenic corridors along state highways in the 1920s-30s.
Things to Do
A short loop trail (about 0.5 miles) winds through the ancient forest — a peaceful walk beneath massive trees draped with moss and ferns. The picnic area under the old-growth canopy is one of the most atmospheric in the state park system. The corridor is a convenient rest stop for travelers between Salem/Portland and Lincoln City on the coast.
Getting There
Located along Highway 18 approximately 25 miles west of McMinnville in Polk County. Free to visit with roadside parking and picnic area.
About Van Duzer Corridor
H. B. Van Duzer Forest State Scenic Corridor in Lincoln County preserves old-growth Sitka spruce and western hemlock forest along Highway 18 between the Willamette Valley and the coast. The corridor features some of the tallest Sitka spruce trees in Oregon — reaching over 200 feet. The understory of sword ferns and moss creates a prehistoric atmosphere.
Things to Do
Driving through the cathedral-like old-growth forest, stopping at pullouts to walk among giant Sitka spruce, photography, and experiencing the ancient rainforest of the Oregon Coast Range.
Insider Tips
Cathedral forest: Van Duzer features a magnificent old-growth corridor along Highway 18 — towering Sitka spruce and Douglas fir create a natural cathedral. Pro tip: The parking area has a short loop trail through some of the largest trees. Van Duzer Corridor wind: This gap in the Coast Range funnels Pacific winds inland — on summer afternoons, the temperature can drop 20°F in minutes as you enter the corridor from the Willamette Valley.
Best Time to Visit
Year-round: The old-growth forest is majestic in every season. Winter: Rain-soaked moss glows electric green. Spring: Trilliums and skunk cabbage bloom. Summer: Cool escape from Willamette Valley heat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it so windy here?
The Van Duzer Corridor is a gap in the Coast Range that funnels marine air from the Pacific into the Willamette Valley. This natural wind tunnel creates dramatic temperature changes — dress in layers when driving through.
Wildlife & Nature
H. B. Van Duzer Forest State Scenic Corridor protects a magnificent stand of old-growth Sitka spruce, Douglas fir, and western hemlock along Highway 18 — the main route between the Willamette Valley and Lincoln City on the coast. The corridor provides a rare opportunity to experience old-growth forest without leaving the highway. The massive trees — some exceeding 300 years old and 200+ feet tall — create a cathedral canopy that filters light into soft green hues. Roosevelt elk — the largest elk subspecies, with bulls reaching 1,100 pounds — frequently browse in the forest clearings. Banana slugs — reaching 10 inches — decompose fallen organic matter on the forest floor. Pileated woodpeckers hammer on dead snags, their distinctive rectangular excavation holes visible on trees throughout the corridor.
Nearby Attractions
Lincoln City — 15 minutes west — offers 7 miles of beach, the Tanger Outlets, and Chinook Winds Casino. Spirit Mountain Casino — operated by the Grand Ronde Tribes — is 15 minutes east. Cascade Head Preserve protects rare coastal headland prairie. Three Capes Scenic Loop connects Cape Meares, Cape Lookout, and Cape Kiwanda. Willamette Valley wine country is accessible through the corridor. Otis Café — a beloved roadside stop — is famous for its pies and hash browns.
