k-12 field trips & group visits

School Field Trips & Youth Visits

Programs & Events | K-12 Field Trips & Group Visits |

Homeschool, Small Class, & Youth Groups | Adult & College Groups

Students have been visiting the Tillamook State Forest since the 1950s, when school groups helped plant trees after the Tillamook Burn.

Today, students connect with the hand-planted forest and discover its stories of hope and resilience. The Tillamook Forest Center has offered hands-on field trips since 2006. We offer themed programs, experienced guides and dedicated staff to assist with planning.

Below you’ll find information and options for formal K-12 schools, homeschool, and non-school youth groups.

Our student-centered programs align with Oregon curriculum standards and include pre- and post-visit activities. We provide engaging, guided learning experiences that make the forest come alive. We look forward to hosting you for a day of fun and learning in the forest!

Explore Resources ↟

Advance booking is required

Any group* comprised of 10 or more individuals (including children and adults) must schedule their visit in advance of their arrival.

*This does not include families. It includes all groups wanting to visit the inside of the Tillamook Forest Center, including just quick bathroom stops.

Education Programs

Bring the forest to your classroom! In-class programs available for Pre-K to 6th grade from December to February.

Spring 2026 field trip dates still available for K to 8th grade.

Field trips and in-class programs include pre and post activities. Each program also follows Common Core and Next Generation Science Standards.

Formal K-12 Schools with 30+ Students

Guided Field Trips | Things to Know & Requirements

Chaperone Requirements & Expectations

Please download this Chaperone Expectation Sheet to distribute to your chaperones.

Chaperone Ratio Requirements:

Grades K-6: 1 adult per 5 students
Grades 7-12: 1 adult per 10 students
All youth under 16 must always be with an adult.

Chaperone Role and Expectations:

Actively supervise and engage with students, especially in the exhibit hall using provided and required scavenger hunt booklets.
Help us with maintaining safety and a positive experience for visitors by respecting our occupancy limits in areas such as the lookout tower

and theater.

Use outdoor paths (instead of the exhibit hall) when traveling from the lobby/bathrooms to other areas.
Keep doorways, access points, and the lobby/bathrooms clear for all visitors.
Chaperones are responsible for their group’s behavior and maintaining focus in the exhibit hall with provided booklets.

Transportation

Please make sure that your bus will be available for the entire duration of your field trip, and that they do not have to leave early.
Provide the directions from the Tillamook Forest Center website, as Apple Maps, Google Maps, and GPS are often inaccurate.
Late arrivals or early departures of 15 minutes or more will result in having to cut part of the program, meaning students may miss part of the field trip. Shortening lunch is not an option for staff. Inability to participate in the entire field trip may jeopardize the group to participate in future field trips.
Be alert to road conditions and road closures in the forest on the day of your trip (the summit of Highway 6 is 1586 feet). When conditions are judged to be unsafe due to factors such as high winds, power outages or flooding, we will contact you as early as possible.
Bus funding: Oregon Forest Resources Institute (OFRI) has a limited amount of funds available to reimburse transportation costs for teachers who register for a guided program. The online form can be found here. Please contact OFRI with any questions about bus funding. The Tillamook Forest Center and Oregon Department of Forestry do not reimburse transportation costs.

Booking, Payment & Cancellations

Visits must be booked at least 21 days in advance. All available dates and times are shown on the online booking page.
The facility use fee (including just quick bathroom stops) is $5/person. Payment is due at time of booking with a credit card.
Teachers, aides and bus drivers are complimentary.

Complimentary Chaperones:

Grades K-5: 1 adult per 5 students
Grades 7-12: 1 adult per 10 students
Extra individuals on the day of the visit must be paid upon arrival, in one transaction.

Cancellation Policy:

30+ days before visit: refundable minus $50 administration fee.
Less than 30 days before visit: no refunds given.
No refunds for no-shows or scheduled individuals who do not attend.

While rare, the Tillamook Forest Center reserves the right to cancel your visit for any reason (most likely: extreme weather or power outages). Every attempt to re-book your group will be made. A full refund will be given if no alterative date can be found.
Please explore the guided field trip options below and follow the link to book and pay online.

Teacher/Group Leader Requirements

Read the materials on this website and all expectations in advance of your field trip.
Complete the Field Trip Preparation Checklist.
Ensure students are prepared and divided into appropriate groups.
Ensure transportation will be available for the entire duration of the field trip.
Provide advance notice of any special needs staff should be aware of.
Secure the required number of chaperones and set expectations with chaperones by providing the Chaperone Expectation Sheet.

Field Trip Facilities

The Tillamook Forest Center was designed with learning in mind! Guided field trips utilize our Forest Education Pavilion, which features floor to ceiling windows for a wonderful view of the forest, and a nice spot to eat lunch, no matter what the weather brings. You’ll also explore our exhibit hall with provided and required scavenger hunts, the fire lookout tower, trails, and some groups will view the Legacy of Fire Movie in the Burn Theatre. For detailed information about field trip facilities, please view the PDF below.

Tillamook Forest Center Facilities

Important Trail Information:

On-site

Regardless of the weather, the forest is where the magic is! The TFC’s River View Trail and Lookout Loop trail are ADA accessible.
Staff will either lead your group on a hike along the trails, or there will be time for outdoor exploring with chaperones, depending on the program you select.

Restrictions across the bridge and the Wilson River Trail

Students may spend time on the scenic suspension bridge. However, students are not allowed to cross the bridge or hike the Wilson River Trail.
The Wilson River Trail, Smith Homestead Day Use Area, Jones Creek Campground and trails, and other sites in the forest are maintained by correctional adults in custody from South Fork Prison Camp. For this reason, we ask groups to stay on the TFC side of the bridge.

Availability & Overview

Field trips are available on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, from September-November and March-June.
Typical start time is 10am.
Experienced staff lead field trips, and teachers and chaperones are expected to join in on the fun, while helping with activities, group management, student behavior, and lunch.
All guided field trips require 30 students minimum. Some programs require 50 students. If you are a small school, homeschool group, or non-school youth group, please see page for In-Depth Explorations.
All guided field trips include a 30-minute lunch in a covered space. Please plan to practice Leave No Trace Principles and bring garbage bags to take lunch waste back to school with you.