The forest is located 40 miles (64 km) north of Klamath Falls, Oregon near the southeastern corner of Crater Lake National Park.

These lands were acquired from two sources, are controlled by two different state entities and each has a distinct legal mandate that guides its management.

By law, these lands are managed to achieve a healthy, productive, and sustainable forest ecosystems that provides the people of Oregon a full range of economic, social, and environmental benefits.

[1][2][3] When Oregon was granted statehood in 1859, it received 3,500,000 acres (14,000 km2) of grazing and forest lands from the Federal Government specifically to support public schools.

In 1944, Klamath County deeded an additional 480 acres (1.9 km2) to the Board of Forestry to expand the Sun Pass unit.

In 1947 and 1948, the Oregon Board of Forestry bought two more parcels of private land which were added to Sun Pass.

The eastern part of the forest is dominated by a large pumice plain while lava flows are the main feature in the northwest.

It runs through the forest for approximately one mile and then flows onto private pasture land where it is joined by Sun Creek.

Annie Creek is classified as a large, fish-bearing stream under provisions of Oregon Forest Practices Act.

Its source is also inside the boundary of Crater Lake National Park where it supports a population of bull trout.

After leaving the park, it flows through the middle of Sun Pass State Forest for three miles (5 km).

[3] Every five years since 1997, the Klamath-Lake District conducts a pileated woodpecker survey in the Sun Pass State Forest to monitor the health of the wildlife habitat.

[3] Today, most of Sun Pass State Forest is covered with uneven-aged, mixed conifer stands dominated by ponderosa pine that have been shaped by selective timber harvesting.

The campsites are cleared areas with primitive fire pits and vehicle access from the main roads.

[3] Sun Pass State Forest hosts the Klamath Outdoor Science School program.