Spencer Butte

Other guides in Willamette Foothills

view the Willamette Foothills guide bundle

Nearby Guides

Viewed 12891 times

(1 vote, 1 review)

Difficulty: Easy
Length: 2.0 miles / 3.2 km
Duration: 1-3 hours

Family Friendly • Dog Friendly

Download to Phone

View Large Map

View Photos

Overview: 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 Englishman of the Hudson's Bay Company named Spencer, who was said to have been killed by the Kalapuya after climbing the hill alone. Another, less popular theory holds that the butte was named after Secretary of War John C. Spencer in July 1845 by Elijah White. Spencer was no longer Secretary of War by 1845, however.

Tips: To get here from downtown Eugene take Willamette Street south. You will find the trailhead listed at POI #6 fist just past 52nd street.

The main trailhead POI #1 is further south and you will find a sign on your left with the parking lot.

Points of Interest

map

Parking Area

You will find plenty of parking here as well as restrooms.

map

Trail Junction

The easy path is straight ahead. For a shorter/steeper hike take the trail to your left.

map

Spencer Butte Challenge Course

Challenge Course days are booked seven days a week from March through November on a first-come, first-served basis. Courses last from four to eight hours. In addition, the Portable Challenge Course is available for two to six hour programs, can be set up indoors, and is available year-round. Multiple day contracts may include other outdoor adventures including rock climbing or river rafting.

Prior to a group's course day, SBCC staff meet with team representatives to learn about the group's dynamics, identify objectives and help set achievable goals. With your group's information, programs are tailored and sequenced to maximize learning opportunities. SBCC provides all equipment and facilitation on course days. Participants come prepared in terms of clothing and food for the day.

For more information or to book a course call 541-682-6324.

map

Trail Junction

Take the trail to the left to head to the summit.

If you head right you will head to parking area at POI #6

map

Spencer Butte Summit

Eugene's best viewpoint with Fern Ridge to the West, and Eugene/Springfield to the North. Look to the East and on clear days you can see the Three Sisters.