Private timberlands

About private timberlands

Some of the routes on this website are on land owned by private timber companies that allow public access under certain conditions. Some require permits and some allow access only on weekends. Most prohibit access outside the window of 1 hour before sunrise to 1 hour after sunset and camping. Other prohibitions may include electric bicycles, motorcycles, and ATVs. All timber company lands are subject to fire season restrictions and closures (see more information below).

When entering land owned by private timber companies you may encounter active logging operations (including log trucks), particularly during the work week. Best times to ride routes on timber company land are on weekends, and particularly on Sunday. If you hear a log truck approaching, get off the road and wait for it to pass. This is for your own safety and in recognition that you are a guest on private property. You may also encounter what I like to call "log truck gravel." From time to time, timber companies re-gravel sections of road. This gravel is big, chunky, and loose. You can ride these routes on 40mm tires, but tires at least 2" wide are recommended in the event you encounter such gravel.

For the purposes of riding these routes, the major timber companies to know are Hancock Forests, Starker Forests, and Weyerhaeuser. More information about these companies is provided below.

Contents of this page

(1) Hancock Forests

(2) Starker Forests

(3) Weyerhaeuser

(4) Other private landowner contact information

(5) Additional major landowners in our area

(1) Hancock Forests

Hancock owns thousands of acres in the Oregon Coast Range. Hancock generally allows public access (including motorized and non-motorized travel) during daylight hours unless subject to fire season restrictions and closures. No permits are necessary. Hancock owns or administers lands that are listed on maps as being owned by Nestucca Forests and Golden Pond Timberlands.

Rules: The Stott Mountain - North Alsea Travel Management Area map states the following regarding Hancock Forest lands: Closed to the public 1 hour after sunset to 1 hour before sunrise; no camping; no fires, posted yellow Travel Management Area signed roads are closed to motor vehicles year round; motor vehicles on rocked roads only, no electric bikes; no motorcycles or ATVs.

Fire season: Hancock Forests lands are typically open for non-motorized access during industrial fire levels 1, 2, and 3, and closed during level 4. Motorized access is typically limited during fire levels 1 and 2 and closed during fire levels 3 and 4. For more information from Hancock Forests, call 503-838-1610.

Note: Sometime prior to 2025, Hancock Forests sold the land along the Old Railroad Grade to Manulife Forest Management (who continues to participate in the Mid-Coast Travel Management agreement.

(2) Starker Forests

Starker Forests is a locally owned timber company that manages thousands of acres in the Oregon Coast Range. They generously allow the public recreational access to many of their tree farms, and ask that visitors first obtain a free recreational permit that must be renewed each year. To obtain a permit, call their office at 541-929-2477 during office hours (Monday to Friday 8am to 3:30pm). For more information regarding permits, see: access our lands. Permits can be issued for up to 6 tree farms. More information about Starker's tree farms, including a map, can be found here. Fire season information from Starker can be viewed here.

Rules: The Starker Forests website states the following: Permits must be displayed on dash of vehicle when parked outside a gate; Do not block gate when parking vehicle. Vehicles blocking gates can be towed; No smoking; No fires; No camping; No target shooting; Obey posted signs; No littering or garbage dumping; Do not damage trees, roads, gates or equipment; Do not drive on dirt roads; No parking on adjacent landowner’s property without permission; No ATV’s or motorcycles, unless riding as a member of the Flat Mountain Riders in specific locations and at specific times; Comply with all state laws regarding hunting and fishing; For your safety, please avoid active logging operations; Building of trails on Starker Forest is prohibited; We do not issue permits for mushroom harvest; Access may be restricted on our lands, especially during fire season.