Guides
Mary's Peak, the highest point in the Coast Range has a variety of trails, and spectacular views from Ocean to Cascades
Marys Peak, at 4,097 feet, is the highest point in Oregon’s Coast Range and the most prominent peak to the west of Corvallis. On a clear day, from the top of the peak, you can see both the Pacific Ocean to the west and many of the Cascade peaks to the east across the Willamette Valley. Wildflower displays in the meadow and rock gardens change...
Eugene's most popular and iconic Butte, with the best view of Eugene/Springfield in the area.
This hike is the most popular in Eugene. Take your choice of trails through Douglas fir trees. At the top you will find a rocky outcroping with views all up and down the Willamette Valley. The butte was called Champ-a te or Cham-o-tee by the native Kalapuya, meaning rattlesnake. One popular theory is that Spencer Butte was named for a young...
Popular hike just outside of Eugene with stunning views of the Willamette Valley. Adjacent arboretum with nature walks.
Several hiking trails are maintained by the Lane County Parks Department on Mount Pisgah. The summit is accessible by a steep 1.4-mile trail from a parking area near the base of the hill. Several other trails make their way through the adjacent arboretum and up the slopes. The summit offers a panoramic view of the southern Willamette Valley and includes...
Paved path follows the Willamette River with views of Mt Pisgah.
This brand new trail was dedicated by the city on April 25th, 2011. The 10-foot-wide asphalt path transports walkers, runners and cyclists along the river for 2.5 miles to Quarry Creek. The trek offers close-up views of wildlife and wildflowers, along with a new perspective on Mount Pisgah in the distance to the south.
Hike unmarked roads and trails to an incredible view of Jasper Valley and Thurston.
Up in the Thurston Hills, past the Mountain Gate housing developments are two small hills. The smaller one has a nice viewpoint about half way up, but the summit is covered in trees. Overall this small hill is not really worth climbing. The climb up the larger hill is much more rewarding with one wide open view of Jasper Valley from one viewpoint,...
Walk along the Willamette River and through a forest of maple and river reeds, with lots of park facilities.
Jasper State Recreation Site is a 60-acre riverside park along the Willamette River. A fun place for family outings and a perfect destination for reunions and weddings, the park offers: • Large grassy play areas • Two playgrounds • Two ball fields • A volleyball set-up • Four group picnic shelters One of the picnic shelters has room...
Easy hike along Lost Creek and the Willamette River in Elijah Bristow State Park
The Elk trail is a short flat hike in a small portion of Elijah Bristow State Park. It starts along Lost Creek, continues past Channel Lake, through a meadow being restored to native species, then finaly along the Willamette River. In the spring you will find a variety of wildflowers along the trail. Elijah Bristow State Park is an 847-acre collage...
Easy trail through Channel Lake area of Elijah Bristow State Park with lots of nature viewing areas.
The Turtle Trail is an short easy hike along Channel Lake, which is more of a wetland then an actual lake. Be on the look out for wildlife as you sit on the benches in the area. Along the trail you will enter a forest where deer are known to hide out. Finally you will walk along the Willamette River. Elijah Bristow State Park is an 847-acre collage...
Easy hike along Fall Creek takes you to several swimming holes and an old Native American hunting cave
Begin near the Dolly Varden Campground, and follow the trail along Fall Creek the entire trip. It's very easy, and would be perfect for taking kids. If you bring your swimsuit there are many pools along the trail that you could stop for a swim. At around the 3 mile point you will come across an area that was burned by a fire in 2003. Keep on going...
This short and steep hike to the top of Mt June will reward you with views of the Three Sisters and the Cascade range.
A former lookout site, the summit at Mount June is the area's tallest peak at 4,618ft. The hike is short at 1.2 miles from trailhead to peak, but there are some fairly steep sections. The hike will take you through a Douglas fir forest with rhododendrons scattered throughout. From the top you will get nice views of the Three Sisters as well...
Clay Creek is a favorite if you enjoy riverside camping with an interpretive trail to old-growth timber.
Clay Creek is a favorite if you enjoy riverside camping with an interpretive trail to old-growth timber. The Siuslaw River is a salmon watch site that runs fast and cold during the winter months, providing exceptional habitat for coho and Chinook salmon that can be observed spawning during the fall and winter. The recreation site also boasts large group...
Take this loop hike with very little elevation gain around two ponds filled with waterfowl.
This is a nice loop hike around two ponds where you have a great chance of seeing herons, ospreys and a variety of waterfowl. The trail is very flat and during the spring months or after a rainfall can be very muddy so bring old shoes.
Two beautiful waterfalls that gush in the winter and great for swimming in the summer.
Alsea Falls Recreation Area is next to the South Fork Alsea River, in a lush coastal forest of red cedars, maples, and Douglas firs. The recreation area has 22 picnic tables, 16 campsites, hiking trails, and an outstanding view of Alsea Falls. Throughout the spring and summer, visitors find blooming rhododendrons, Oregon grapes, dogwoods, and other...
Easy hike around Mill Hill through a forest of oak woodland, mature maple, and Douglas fir.
This up and down trail takes you through many different forest types: oak woodland, mature maple, and Douglas fir. Look for wood ducks on Gray Creek. Rest on one of the benches to watch for elk, deer, bobcat and other woodland wildlife around the forest margins.
This guide connects popular together for an all encompassing loop of the various environments with the wildlife refuge
In this mega loop of the William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge I have strung together 5 different popular trails to make one massive loop that will take you through all the different environments the refuge has to offer. You'll climb hills, circle around ponds and marshes and finish with an amazing brand new boardwalk. Along the way you will...
Easy trail through oak woodland habitat and up to an overlook with exceptional views of the valley and the Cascade Range
In 2005 Woodpecker Loop trail was recognized as a National Recreation Trail. This loop trail begins and ends at the parking lot. The trail begins in a oak woodland habitat and then climbs slightly to an overlook that allows exceptional views of the valley and the Cascade Range. Here you also get a good view of Bald Top, which is a native oak savannah...
This is a nice loop trail with just over 200 ft of elevation that will take you through varied woods and past a wetland
Keep an eye out for song birds, banana slugs and tons of elk and deer tracks as you make your way along this wonderful loop hike through varied woods, meadows and past a wetland area. Take the time to enjoy sitting on the benches to observe the wildlife and peace of nature.
Take this service road around the Cabell Marsh to see a variety of wildfowl
This is one of the best walks in the refuge and unless the marsh is frozen you are pretty much gauranteed to see some widlife. Keep an eye out for egrets, ducks, eagles, ospreys, herons and songbirds along the trail. If you have time it is great to combine this trip with the Memorial Boardwalk as well which I have another guide for.
Easy hike on the wooden Homer Campbell Boardwalk to an observation blind overlooking Cabell Marsh.
This recently constructed boardwalk winds through the Muddy Creek riparian area that is seasonally flooded with winter rains. Oregon ash and big-leaf maple are the common tree species, providing canopy for many songbirds. Thrushes, bushtits and juncos are commonly heard. The boardwalk ends at Cabell Marsh, where an observation blind provides seasonal...
Easy hike along McDowell Creek with lower and upper views of Royal Terrace Falls & Majestic Falls.
Visitors to the crystal clear water of McDowell Creek will be rewarded with the beautiful vistas of Royal Terrace and Majestic Falls from the bridges and viewing decks along the hiking trails of this lush green park. The McDowell Creek Falls offer exceptional scenery with places to stop and enjoy a picnic lunch. Some fishing and wading is available...
This is a fun loop variation of the standard Conors Camp Trail that includes a trip to the summit of Mary's Peak
This is a nice loop hike to the summit of Mary's Peak which provides some interesting views besides just taking the east ridge trail out and back from the summit. The Tie Trail isn't very difficult hiking (biking it can be tricky). I called this a hike because technically the trail that leaves the East Ridge Trail at POI #2 and switchbacks to the...
Get off the usual Marys Peak trails and check out a quiet path through lush Douglass Fir forests
The Marys River watershed starts on the upper slopes of Marys Peak, in western Benton county. The forest here is mainly Douglass fir and Noble fir, with understories of maple and rhododendron. In the spring and early summer, wildflowers are everywhere. This old access road allows for quick travel over a steady, clear surface. You can extend the...
A short hike with a beautiful view. Also explore an old mining town, including gold mines.
The Bohemia Mountain Trail leads up a steep grade to the rocky summit of Bohemia Mountain, the highest point on the Cottage Grove District. On a clear day, view the peaks of the Cascade Range from Mt. Hood to Mt. Shasta. Wildflowers bloom along rock meadows and bluffs in late June. Below the mountain is the ghost town of Bohemia City. You'll find...
