Trail Overview

Stanley Creek 2136 is the perfect destination for families seeking a pristine camping experience alongside crystal-clear waters that are ideal for swimming. This location is situated within the vast 1.7-million-acre Willamette National Forest, located just 45 miles south of Oakridge, Oregon. While the camping spots are primitive with no amenities, restrooms, or potable water, the creek water is perfect for consumption after boiling. Visitors are advised to use a 4x4 vehicle due to the steep inclines, rock slides, overhanging trees, and large boulders on the road. Although cell phone service is limited, it is available in some parts of the route. The path continues alongside Stanley Creek through the mountains towards Timpanogas Road, where visitors can enjoy numerous breathtaking waterfalls and different types of wildflowers like the Pacific Trillium, Douglas-fir, western red cedar, pine trees, and ferns, among over 300 other species of flora along this route. Wildlife enthusiasts can spot chipmunks, black-tailed deer, black bears, and blue grouse, among other common species. To access some trailheads and day-use areas, an annual Northwest Forest Pass is required and can be purchased online or at local ranger stations. Visitors should note that the roads may be gated and locked at any time depending on the conditions. Logging operations are ongoing in some parts of the WNF, and signs are posted to indicate where they are taking place. The WNF strongly encourages visitors to pack it in and pack it out and to follow the "tread lightly" principles when it comes to foot and vehicle traffic.

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Difficulty

Visitors are advised to use a 4x4 vehicle due to the steep inclines, rock slides, overhanging trees, and large boulders on the road.

History

The Santiam and Cascade National Forests were established in 1911 as distinct entities from the former Cascadia National Forest. However, the Forest Service decided to merge them later in 1933, thereby creating the Willamette National Forest. Here is an interesting read on the history of the area: chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://foresthistory.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/HISTORY-OF-THE-WILLAMETTE-NATIONAL-FOREST.pdf

Technical Rating

Steve m

Aug 25, 2025

Open

Emigrant Fire Closure Order • The closure applies to the NFS areas, roads, trails and trailheads described below. The closure area is depicted on the attached map, which is incorporated into this Order as “Exhibit A”. All areas, roads, trails, campgrounds, and recreation sites in this closure area, as well as sites in the Timpanogas Lake area are closed. All roads forming the boundary of the closure are included in the closure. Recreation sites, trails and campgrounds closed by this Order are listed below. The Emigrant Fire Closure Area begins at the junction of FSR 21 and 2134 in Township 21 S, 3 E, Section 13. It progresses east on FSR 21 until it meets with the junction of FSR 2154 in Township 24, Range 5E, Section 24. It then follows and includes FSR 2154 south, then southwest to its junction with FSR 2136 in Township 25 S, Range 5E, Section 30. It then follows and includes FSR 2136 north to the intersection with FSR 2134 and ending at the original junction of FSR 2134 and FSR 21.

Carrie Mizejewski

Mar 01, 2025

Open

Just passed the bridge crossing near campground there is a small landslide covering width of road. Some large rocks and a tree with root ball. This was in late February 2025. I uploaded video but not sure if it will show as a video.