Every trip, we try to go on a few hikes and this year one we chose was Skinner's Butte in Eugene…read more It's easy to get to with plenty of free parking in the parks surrounding it. There are easy walking paths and multiple trails going up and down different sides. It was a cloudy day, but pleasant for walking. At the top are different lookout points with benches, picnic tables, etc., perfect for great views as you explore the area. The most fun part was the natural climbing wall on the one side. It has its own dedicated lot as well. Portions are closed, but most have permanent fixture points for climbing rope. Definitely a fun free activity if you're into climbing. This is a great free and active activity on your next trip here.

Skinner's Butte is a neat city park that offers a variety of activities including rock climbing,…read moreshort hikes, and a gorgeous overlook of the city and cokes with sufficient parking by any of the activities. During sunset, you'll find the viewpoint rather busy with all sorts of people hanging with their friends or loved ones eating, drinking, or blazing. A cool part of the city for sure.

We love Hendricks Park in Eugene. On this visit we took a leisurely walk throughout the…read morerhododendron section and then a drive through the wooded section. If you're in Eugene or visiting Univ of Oregon (Sco Ducks!) be sure to take a moment and visit this park.

A Beautiful Return to a Place Full of Nature and History…read more Both my wife and I had visited this spot before when we lived in the area, so with a little time to spare before lunch nearby, we decided to revisit it with her son and daughter-in-law. Nestled on a forested butte just east of the University of Oregon in Eugene, this area is absolutely stunning. The rhododendron garden is especially beautiful, offering a peaceful and scenic escape that feels tucked away from the city. Beyond its natural beauty, the area is steeped in history. One of the most notable connections is to Steve Prefontaine--a legendary runner and seven-time NCAA champion for Oregon. He trained in and around Hendricks Park and tragically passed away in a car accident on a winding road just below the park. His legacy lives on not only in the running world but also in the early success of Nike, where he became the brand's first sponsored athlete and helped elevate it to global prominence. Whether you're a nature lover, a history buff, or just looking for a quiet place to explore, this area is well worth a visit.

Ridgeline Trails. (Sighs lovingly). Brad C. put it succinctly and best when he wrote "Crisscrossing…read morehiking trails through beautiful woodlands within 10 minutes of downtown is one of the numerous unpaid benefits of living in Eugene. It's best to cash in these benefits as often as possible because chances are you are underpaid as a professional in town." *mic drop* The Ridgeline system spans 12 miles of trail across South Eugene, and connects multiple parks and open spaces with well-maintained trail. If you're a trail runner or mountain biker on your lunch break, look no further. The scenery varies mile by mile, but you're likely to pass through white oak savannas, Douglas-fir forests, lush fern canyons, rocky outcrops, open hilltop prairies, and valleys of camas and other native flora and fauna. Wooden bridges dot the trails and rise over fast-moving creeks. As the owner of an exceptionally spastic dog, I enjoy how little foot traffic the trails get, in comparison to destinations like Spencer Butte or Mt. Pisgah. This is especially nice on rainy days, when much of the trail remains free of mud *and* people, and is canopied overhead by firs and oaks. It really is one of the best unpaid benefits of living in Eugene. Verdict: 5 stars from both human and dog.

Got our car broken into parking here so be careful and stay safe everyone :/…read more Beautiful place with a beautiful path/walking trails Just don't leave anything in your car

Our family loves this park!…read more It's been a couple years since I've actually climbed up Skinner's Butte, but I do remember it being a nice trail and cool viewpoint at the top. I have heard reports of people being concerned from a safety standpoint along the trail or at the top recently, so just be aware, enjoy it with a buddy or not in the wee hours if you are planning to hike. My favorite part about this park is the kids Discovery Play Village. Our daughter is just starting to get old enough to be interested in playgrounds, though, right now we mostly use the swings and watch other kids playing. :) There are so many different structures and activities in the play park, and what looks really cool is a sliding hill where kids sit on cardboard boxes to sled down on AstroTurf! There's a large parking lot for easy access and restrooms.

Skinner (not Skinner's) Butte Park is the the location of the homestead of Eugene's founder, named…read moreEugene Skinner, and is one of the city's oldest parks. It's a large park right on the banks of the Willamette River and offers a variety of activities. There's the playground, RiverView Discovery Village, which is fairly large and has some pretty cool. It has various structures for kids to play on and around, representing storefronts, a stagecoach, and so on. There's the typical slides and swings and stuff that you'll find at a playground as well. They also have a "splash pad", which is a circular pipe sticking out of the ground about 10 feet, but it does spray so I guess it's something. The park fronts the river, and although the playground is not immediately on the bank of the river it's close enough that you'll want to keep a close watch on your children (every year there are tragedies along the Willamette). There is no fencing or anything around the playground, which seems like a no-brainer in this location but I guess not, and that's why I give the three-star rating instead of four. It's just a really nerve-wracking park especially for parents of small children. There could be more picnic tables around the playground... there's at least three, but that may be it. There's lots of green space for folks to spread out on the grass as well, which several people were doing whilst we were here celebrating my daughter's birthday. There was a drum circle that showed up about 20 minutes before we left as well and that was kinda cool. Part of the general park area are the Columns, remnants of a basalt quarry that existed for a few decades in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and is a pretty popular spot for rock climbing. It's a short distance from the playground area. I went with a class as a middle schooler and was not too keen on climbing myself. Then there's the titular Butte, which one can hike to the top or drive. I've never hiked up myself, but the drive is sometimes closed to traffic when fires are a concern. There are biking trails, a community garden, and the Campbell Senior Center is on the eastern edge of the park as well. There are bathrooms here, and although I didn't go into them my sister and friend did and apparently they're kinda weird--no doors on the stalls. I suppose that must be some sort of safety measure? It's fairly odd, regardless. There's a fairly decent sized parking lot to the east of the playground as well, and parking along the southern end of the park (at the base of the Butte).

I met a new friend while in Eugene who immediately asked if I wanted to go on an early morning hike…read morewith her and her dog. Um yes, did we just become best friends?! We met up at 9am and headed over to the Butte. I suppose if you get here early enough there is plenty of parking. Dogs are welcome on the trail on leash. The hike is tough for the unexperienced. Especially at the end. When you are almost to the top there are these steps carved out of stone that are incredible. The top is so beautiful. This view affords you miles of view even in a mildly cloudy morning. Along the trail there are beautiful mushrooms and flowers and ferns and fallen logs. I hope I didn't annoy my friend with my constant photo taking. The things to see in the forest are not things I get to see everyday. If you're into hiking at all this is one you should do if you're in Eugene.

Five stars for Spencer's Butte! It's absolutely breathtaking up there. Steep enough to get your…read moreheart racing and leave you glistening, but mercifully short so you don't drag through miles of misery. Winding through lush greens, the trail gifts you sweeping panoramas at every turn. And that summit, oh, it's postcard perfect, three sixty bliss that'll recharge your soul. Towering peaks hug you tight, like nature's own fortress, yet its spitting distance from Eugene urban escape turned wilderness wonderland. If panoramic payoffs without epic treks are your jam, this spot delivers pure gold.

A great little parking lot to get you out on the well maintained gravel trail. The trail circles…read moreseveral old gravel pits turned ponds. There is plenty of wildlife, especially birds, to see. This is a family friendly area where you can bring a stroller too. Dogs are permitted, on leash of course.

I think it's great that this wetland habitat is there. So wonderful, but from a visitor's…read moreperspective, the traffic noise is something to get past.

Great running trails, and I have great memories here as a child taking swimming lessons, going to…read morecamps, everything for a very young me! Amazon Park is essential.

5 starts for the dog park. They have both small and large dog areas and both are very large. Maybe…read morethe largest I have ever seen. Lose a star for no bathrooms near the dog park areas. We stopped on a road trip, from Portland to Grants Pass, to stretch our puppy's legs and hoped to get her some exercise and then sleep the next two hours of the drive. It was perfect. The Albertsons across the road does have bathrooms and a Starbucks.

I was slowly starting to realize that Hazelnuts were a serious thing during our most recent trip to…read moreOregon. I decided I really wanted to have a Hazelnut experience. This coming from a girl who is obsessed with Cranberry bogs. I just love all things farming. I found us the largest orchard to visit in the Eugene area and it was spectacular. We came after brunch and walked around for a good while, admiring several of the orchards and trails. If I lived in the area I'd be here every single day. I typically walk 6-8 miles a day and nearly everyone here had a four legged friend with them, it felt like a little slice of heaven on earth. The trails were so peaceful and serene, the river flowing through in the back. It was complete tranquility. Great bird watching too! It's hard to believe a place so beautiful is free. I am most appreciative for the opportunity to spend some time here.

I'm really impressed with the attention to trails this season. They've done a wonderful job!!…read moreBeautiful and serene.

My canine companion and I travel to Portland, Oregon frequently, and we've stopped at quite a few…read moredog parks along the way. I have to admit, though -- Alton Baker is hands down our favorite. The off-leash area spans several acres and is fully fenced, offering plenty of room for dogs to run safely. It's located within Eugene's beautiful riverfront park and includes two separate sections for large and small dogs, which I really appreciate. There are thoughtful amenities throughout, including water stations, shaded seating, picnic tables, and even covered shelters for those rainy Oregon days. One of my favorite features is the walking trail inside the fenced area, so you can get your own exercise in while your pup explores. This park is well maintained, the pet owners are thoughtful and extremely friendly, and this has consistently been a great stop for my BFF Elsa as well as for myself.

I was passing through Eugene and my pup was antsy and needed to get out of the car. This is an…read moreabsolutely beautiful park! If I lived near here, I would go here all the time!