Eight hiking trails, remnants of the early day prospecting and fire access routes, total 36 miles (58 km).

[7] The valley forms the largest intact stand of old-growth forest in the western Cascades, and 500- to 1000-year-old trees are common.

Lawsuits were filed, Wild and Scenic Rivers were designated, and multiple bills to protect the area failed, including an attempt to make it a state park.

When books and photo essays were published in the early 1990s, national attention was brought to the area.

[9] Finally, in 1996, after working with all stakeholders, including environmental groups, local communities and representatives of the timber industry, to draft consensus legislation, United States Senator Mark Hatfield obtained passage of expansive legislation to protect Opal Creek.