West Fork Trailhead

The West Fork Illinois River Trailhead is situated south of Cave Junction, where the East and West Forks of the Illinois River converge. There are several popular loop hikes that offer a secluded trail experience through the mixed forest typical of the Siskiyou region. On these hikes, you traverse gullies, ridges, and slopes, encountering diverse flora and occasional obstacles like downed trees. The trail, which is primarily on BLM and Oregon State Parks land, winds through forests of pine, Douglas-fir, myrtle, madrone, and oak, with limited river access and few scenic views. The trailhead features a parking lot, pit toilets, an information kiosk and a horse trailer parking area. Noteworthy segments include the Dogwood Trail and the River Trail, which features switchbacks, myrtle trees, and an old barbed wire fence near the riverbank.