Enchanted Rocks Preserve
| Enchanted Rocks Preserve | |
|---|---|
IUCN category V (protected landscape/seascape) | |
Location in Oregon | |
| Location | Jefferson County, Oregon |
| Nearest city | Mitchell, Oregon |
| Coordinates | 44°46′15″N 120°23′22″W / 44.77083°N 120.38944°W |
| Area | 14,000 acres (5,700 ha) |
| Max. elevation | 5,048 feet (1,539 m) |
| Min. elevation | 1,400 feet (430 m) |
| Established | 2022 |
| Operator | The Wildlands Conservancy |
| Website | Enchanted Rocks Preserve |
Enchanted Rocks Preserve is a nature preserve in central Oregon noted for multicolored rimrock cliffs, columnar basalt spires, and canyons along the National Wild and Scenic John Day River and Cherry Creek. The 14,000 acres (5,700 ha) property is owned and managed by The Wildlands Conservancy as part of its system of preserves.
Geography
The preserve is located in the John Day River basin of central Oregon, roughly ten miles north of the Painted Hills unit of John Day Fossil Beds National Monument. The landscape includes rimrock canyons, multicolored cliffs, and columnar basalt formations shaped by volcanic and sedimentary processes. The preserve contains approximately 2 miles (3.2 km) of the John Day River and 17 miles (27 km) of Cherry Creek. It connects with nearby public lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management.[1]
Flora and fauna
Habitats range from ponderosa pine forests on higher slopes to sagebrush and western juniper woodlands. Wildlife includes Rocky Mountain elk, bald eagles, beavers, redband trout, and the federally threatened summer steelhead. The preserve also provides habitat for sage grouse.[2]
History
In April 2022, The Wildlands Conservancy acquired the 30,000-acre Cherry Creek Ranch for $16.5 million, renaming it Enchanted Rocks Preserve. Funding support came from the Center for Biological Diversity.[3][4][5]
Later in 2022, the Conservancy sold 16,714 acres of the original property with conservation restrictions, reducing the preserve to roughly 14,000 acres, according to its audited financial statements.[6]
Conservation
The preserve is designated by the Conservancy as its first "climate preserve", with management intended to increase resilience to climate change. Policies include halting juniper removal, managing western juniper woodlands to support sage grouse and groundwater recharge, and eliminating flood irrigation to restore Cherry Creek for native fish. The Conservancy also supports proposals to establish Sutton Mountain National Monument adjacent to the property.[3][4][2]
Recreation
The Wildlands Conservancy plans future public access to Enchanted Rocks Preserve, including hiking trails, a walk-in campground, kayak put-ins along the John Day River, and opportunities for fishing as part of phased development. Public access will begin after required permitting and the construction of visitor facilities.[1][5]
See also
- List of The Wildlands Conservancy preserves
- John Day Fossil Beds National Monument
- Journey Through Time Scenic Byway
References
- ^ a b "Enchanted Rocks Preserve". The Wildlands Conservancy. Retrieved September 30, 2025.
- ^ a b "Group Celebrates Earth Day by Expanding Nature Preserve System Throughout West" (Press release). Center for Biological Diversity. April 20, 2022. Retrieved September 30, 2025.
- ^ a b Plaven, George (April 21, 2022). "Conservancy purchases Oregon ranch, plans 'climate preserve'". Capital Press. Retrieved September 30, 2025.
- ^ a b "Wildlands Conservancy buys 30,000-acre Jefferson County ranch for $16.5 million for new nature preserve". KTVZ. April 20, 2022. Retrieved September 30, 2025.
- ^ a b Kruis, Pat (April 22, 2022). "New owners to make big changes at Cherry Creek Ranch". The Madras Pioneer. Retrieved September 30, 2025.
- ^ Consolidated Financial Statements, June 30, 2024 and 2023 (PDF) (Report). The Wildlands Conservancy. October 2023. Retrieved September 30, 2025.