SPORTS & RECREATION / PARKS & NATURE
Metro Portland and the surrounding communities are home to about 200 parks that provide more than 20,000 acres of recreational land for every imaginable sport and activity. The world’s largest forested city park covers a sprawling 5,000 acres and includes 30 miles of hiking trails in the very heart of Portland, while the unique 24-inch Mill Ends Park is strictly “one person at a time.” Throughout Oregon’s northern territory and southern Washington State, new residents will find breathtakingly scenery at every turn.
Regional/Urban Park Contacts
Oregon State Parks and
Recreation Department
Salem, OR 503-986-0719
Toll Free 800-551-6949
www.oregon.gov/oprd
Corvallis City Parks
Corvallis, OR 97330
541-766-6918
www.ci.corvallis.or.us
Oregon Urban Parks & Gardens
Avery Park Rose Garden
Avery Park
Corvallis 541-766-6918
www.ci.corvallis.or.us
Greengable Gardens
24689 Grange Hall Rd.
Philomath541-929-4444
www.greengable.com
Thyme Garden
20546 Alsea Hwy.
Alsea 541-487-8671
www.thymegarden.com
Oregon State Parks
Oregon State Parks
Information 503-986-0707
Toll Free 800-551-6949
Reservations 800-452-5687
www.oregon.gov/oprd/parks
Ainsworth State Park
Information 800-551-6949
www.oregon.gov/oprd/parks
Waterfalls, hiking trails, and campsites in Columbia River Gorge. Location: Historic Columbia River Highway 17 miles East of Troutdale at Exit 35 off Interstate 84
Benson State Recreation Area
Information 800-551-6949
www.oregon.gov/oprd/parks
Wonderful picnic areas, a disc golf course, a group shelter, and a sparkling lake stocked with rainbow trout. Location: Interstate 84, 30 miles east of Portland
Bonnie Lure State Recreation Area
Information 800-551-6949
www.oregon.gov/oprd/parks
Natural wonders along Eagle Creek include a non-motorboat lake. Location: Highway 224 at Eagle Creek 60 miles north of Estacada; than left on Dowty Road
Bridal Veil Falls State Scenic Viewpoint
Information 800-551-6949
www.oregon.gov/oprd/parks
Picnic areas, open space, timber stands, and a trail to the falls with interpretative/nature. Location: Interstate 84, Exit 28 on Historic Columbia River Scenic Highway
Champoeg State Heritage Area
Information 800-551-6949
www.oregon.gov/oprd/parks
Historical attractions, forested land, fields, wetlands, and many recreational opportunities
on the site where Oregon’s first provisional government was formed. Location: US 99W, 7 miles east of Newberg.
Dabney State Recreation Area
Information 800-551-6949
www.oregon.gov/oprd/parks
Swimming and picnicking; trails meander through tall bamboo, horsetail, cottonwoods and alders. Location: East of Troutdale on Historic Columbia River Highway
George W. Joseph State Natural Area
Information 800-551-6949
www.oregon.gov/oprd/parks
The trail to Latourell Falls from Guy W. Talbot parking lot leads to enchanted forest of George W. Joseph State Natural Area. Shepperd’s Dell offers glimpse of roaring waterfall into Youngs Creek and out to Columbia River. Location: East of Troutdale about 12 miles along the Historic Columbia River Highway.
Guy W. Talbot State Park
Information 800-551-6949
www.oregon.gov/oprd/parks
Guy Webster Talbot and his family used this property as a summer estate until 1929. Now it is a beautiful picnic park complete with a shelter and gently sloping hill dotted with trees. This secluded park is often uncrowded even on the best days. Location: Historic Columbia River Highway just 12 miles east of Troutdale.
Lewis & Clark State Recreation Site
Information 800-551-6949
www.oregon.gov/oprd/parks
Western gateway of Columbia River gorge near mouth of Sandy River; grassy open area, swimming area and boat launch, trails to Broughton’s Bluff. Location: Off I-84, 16 miles east of Portland.
Mary S. Young State Recreation Area
Information 503-551-6949
www.oregon.gov/oprd/parks
Quiet, forested area ideal for bird watching or hiking on shaded trails. Location: State Highway 43, 9 miles south of Portland
Milo McIver State Park
Information 800-551-6949
www.oregon.gov/oprd/parks
Scenic Clackamas River forms the backdrop for nature study, water sports, picnic areas, hikes, horseback riding trails, and disc golf. Location: Springwater Road, 4 miles west of Estacada.
Molalla River State Park
Information 800-551-6949
www.oregon.gov/oprd/parks
Scenic drives, hiking, picnicking, fishing, boating, wildlife viewing, and ferry rides. Location: Canby Ferry Road.
Rooster Rock State Park
Information 800-551-6949
www.oregon.gov/oprd/parks
Mountain backdrops provide views for sandy riverfront beaches, picnic areas, hiking trails, and winter sports. Location: I-84, 22 miles east of Portland at exit 25.
Shepperd’s Dell State Natural Area
Information 800-551-6949
www.oregon.gov/oprd/parks
Offers glimpse of waterfall cascading down steep cliffs into Youngs Creek. Location: Historic Columbia River Highway, 12 miles east of Troutdale.
Tyron Creek State Natural Area
Information 800-551-6949
www.oregon.gov/oprd/parks
Oregon’s only state park in a metropolitan area features nature trails through verdant ravine, guided nature walks, activities, and steelhead trout fishing. Location: Interstate 5, Exit 297
Panoramic Trails
Banks-Vernonia State Trail
Information 503-986-0707
www.oregon.gov/oprd/parks
Providing trailheads in Vernonia, Tophill, Manning, Buxton, this abandoned 21-mile railroad offers a quiet recreational path for multi-purpose use.
Historic Columbia River
Highway State Trail
Information 503-986-0707
Toll free 800-551-6949
www.oregon.gov/oprd/parks
The very same US Highway 30 that once crept around curves high along the cliffs of the Columbia River Gorge is now frequented by hikers and cyclists.
Lewis River Trail
Gifford Pinchot National Forest
Washington State 360-891-5000
www.fs.fed.us/gpnf
Three major waterfalls are visible along the 13.5-mile trail.
40-Mile Loop Trail System
Portland, OR 503-823-PLAY
www.portlandonline.com/parks
Named for its original plan of a 40-mile trail, the 40-Mile Loop will be closer to 140 miles upon completion, connecting over 30 parks in the metro Portland area. Hiking, walking, jogging, biking, and canoeing are just a few of the possible activities. Access a general loop map online as well as links to the major trails along the system.
Forest Park Wildwood Trail
Portland, OR 503-823-PLAY
www.portlandonline.com/parks
The longest completed portion of the 40-mile loop provides 23 miles of forested trails that link the Washington Park Zoo complex, Hoyt Arboretum, Pittock Mansion, and Audubon House through to Springville Road above St. Johns Bridge. The trail meanders through a lush Douglas fir forest.
Sternwheeler Columbia Gorge
and Marine Park
1200 NW Naito Parkway
Cascade Locks, OR 503-224-3900
Toll Free 800-224-3901
www.sternwheeler.com
Guests can enjoy 360-degree scenery along the Columbia and Willamette Rivers from the deck of this sternwheeler replica. The river history lesson is enhanced by glimpses of Native American tribes fishing from the platforms they have used for centuries.
National Forests
& Wilderness Areas
Columbia River Gorge National
Scenic Area
Headquarter Offices
Hood River, OR 541-308-1700
www.fs.fed.us/r6/columbia
Mount Hood National Forest
Headquarters Office
Sandy, OR 503-668-1700
www.fs.fed.us/r6/mthood
Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument
Headquarter Offices
Amboy, WA 360-449-7800
Climbing Information
360-449-7861
www.fs.fed.us/gpnf/mshnvm
Gifford Pinchot National Forest
Headquarter Offices
Vancouver, WA 360-891-5000
www.fs.fed.us/gpnf
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge
301 North 3rd Avenue
Ridgefield, WA 360-887-4106
www.ohwy.com/wa/r/ridgenwr.htm
Siuslaw National Forest
Supervisor’s Office
Corvallis, OR 541-750-7000
www.fs.fed.us/r6/siuslaw
Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge
Off Highway 99W on Ellsner Road
Sherwood, OR 503-625-4377
http://refuges.fws.gov
Umatilla National Wildlife Preserve
Mid-Columbia River Refuges
Headquarters Office
Pasco, WA 509-545-8588
www.fs.fed.us/r6/uma
