So I was very disappointed when me and my wife took a day trip and tried to find these caves. It…read moreled us to the small town of Detroit dead center of the town no one there or anywhere around had a clue or have ever heard of this place. There's no direction of where to go how to find it or anything else. This was a complete waste of time and we ended up try to go to Brighton Bush we made it, but it was 30 mile detour a huge pain in the ass and then they were completely full when we got there so ended up taking a trip to Bagby instead and we were glad we could soak in a tub because bagby it's pretty much falling apart

A well-known secret among landscape photographers, Boca Cave is a pretty spectacular place…read more The hike is short. The cave is enormous, but not "spooky". The mouth of the cave almost perfectly-aligns with a view of Oregon's second-tallest peak: Mt Jefferson. Proof of intelligent design?! You access the cave by taking a slight detour on the way up to Triangulation Peak. Enough babbling, just go there. It's not close to any major metro, but it's worth the drive.

Salt Creek Falls is Oregon's 2nd tallest waterfall, a 286 foot plunge from top to bottom. Visiting…read morehere is easy. It's located right off Highway 58 and 65 miles southeast of Eugene, OR. It's a $5 day use fee. I visited on Labor Day Monday and it wasn't so busy. Once you park, Salt Creek Falls is off to the right hand side but...Diamond Creek Falls (another very worthwhile waterfall to visit) is located towards the left hand side. So...I'd suggest visiting both. You get rewarded with 2 waterfalls for the price of 1 admission. The pathway to Salt Creek Falls Viewpoint is half a mile at most, but along the way there'll be a quick preview of the falls beside the staircase leading towards the trailhead. You can't miss it and you'll hear the falls loudly crashing down below. The hike to the viewing deck is casual. You walk through the forest. It's pretty quiet. Once you arrive at the lookout viewpoint, Salt Creek Falls is impressive. You get undisturbed looks at the waterfall. If your curiosity interests you, you can walk around past the platform for closer glances. I did venture out a little just to avoid the guardrail being in my pictures. But I would say...it's a very steep decline and footing wasn't so secure. Be cautious with your steps. You'll understand this while there. Btw...there were no signs indicating you couldn't venture past the viewing deck. It's up to you to decide how much further you'd like to explore. I noticed some people joined me on the cliffside, while others stayed on the viewing deck. In all, it doesn't take long to see Salt Creek Falls. It's definitely a refreshing breathe of air to be at another marvelous Oregon waterfall, and that's where making the next part of your visit better when you return back to the parking lot and continue onto the 3 mile roundtrip trail to Diamond Creek Falls. I won't say too much about Diamond Creek Falls. I can save it for another review, but I will say it's a complete 180 degree different type of waterfall and setting. You get more into the heart of nature. And you can stand at the base of Diamond Creek Falls looking right up at it cascading in front of your eyes in comparison to witnessing Salt Creek Falls from a vista point platform. They're both unique natural wonders in their own ways. If you're in the central part of Oregon, I'd make plans to come to Salt Creek Falls. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised by two magical looking waterfalls that barely get recognition. I didn't know they existed prior to 2024, and I thought I had been to them all, lol. Goes to show...there always more to see, always more to discover. Getting out among the great outdoors is a beautiful thing.

Great waterfall viewing here. It's not too far from the parking lot down to the viewing areas…read more There are different viewing areas to go to and get different vantage points. What I liked about this is that they do have accessible viewing areas. Definitely worth going to and having a picnic, hike or both.

Awesome spot, but you need a good car! Drove a RAV4 to the…read moregate, then walked a short distance. You definitely need a capable car because some uphill parts are rough and slippery (almost lost traction). The hike down is a bit steep and slippery but there are ropes to help. Tip: Bring gloves! After reaching the bottom, just follow the stream to the beautiful waterfall. We had a picnic there and it was so chill. There are no trash cans here,please take your trash with you. I felt like being at a childhood summer camp with the hiking and climbing. The water was too cold to swim this time, but I'll definitely be back during the summer!

Beautiful falls. Reminds me of Svartifoss falls in Iceland. The hike is little treacherous. Parking…read moreis not good at the main trailhead. Recommended parking at the OHV area which makes the hike 4 mile long in total.

This is a clothing optional Hotsprings, we learned this the hard way after driving 5 hours my…read moregrandson was not so pleasantly surprised lol. So we immediately left..our bad. Oops....But the host was so friendly gave us recommendations on when to come back without him. What the best times are and nearby campgrounds. $12 a person 12 and up. Short walk from the parking lot up to the springs. Pack it in pack it out, porta pots in the lot. We will be back.

My partner is a hot springs enthusiast and always seems to have this on his list for how he wants…read moreto celebrate his birthday. The drive out from Portland is long, but after you get here the trip is really enjoyable, we often try to plan a night somewhere closer. It's 12$ for a 2 hour visit, they do take credit cards. We tend to be here mid week mid day so we have not had any issue with parking. There are always other people present, but it has never seemed overly busy. The staff we interact with are always very pleasant. There is a bathroom in the parking lot. It's a short walk up to the hot springs, I'm confident mostly anyone could do this. It's nice to feel like you are in nature. I imagine this was a much more beautiful area before the fires, but I am thankful that it did reopen and is usable. Do make sure you bring some water to stay hydrated while hot springing. Do be aware that sometimes people are unclothed at hot springs. Also know that hot springs are hot and this may not be how you want to spend a hot day. There are multiple pools of multiple sizes which do vary in heat. There is a small stream with cold water running nearby. There are places to sit where you can be partially in the water. If you are planning to walk around a lot you may want water shoes as these rocks can be hot on your feet. We always have a nice time and leave feeling rejuvenated. I keep meaning to look into camping options nearby. I'd love to experience this with some friends on my next visit.

I visited McDowell Creek Falls decades ago for a quick hike and to take some pictures. We decided…read moreto take a drive for the day and head here to see what it was like now. We arrived to a very busy and almost full parking lot, making us think the trails were going to be incredibly busy. Luckily, most were just using the picnic tables and walking to some falls that are close to the parking area. We grabbed our water and started on the trails. The trails are well-groomed and easy to walk on. One of the great parts is there are trails for easy-walking, and others that will challenge your legs! If you want to hike to the top of the triple falls, you will get a nice view from above. We kept hiking and ended up on the loop back to the parking area. I believe there are a couple more falls we may have missed, but we would have needed more water for sure. If you want a place to take a nice hike for the day, add this one to your list.

It's a very nice old forest trail. There's a bit elevation gain and steps/stairs to take whichever…read moredirection you go. Trail was not very crowded.

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.

One of our favorite places to visit. Fantastic views and not far from outside of Corvallis.read more

Great hidden hiking gem of Corvallis. Nice views, dogs allowed on leash, not crowded, and bathrooms…read moreavailable. Limited parking, extra parking located at the trail entrance if the parking lot is full. Trail does have a moderate incline/decline.

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 well used trail just outside of the city. The one mile walk uphill was pleasant and worth the…read moreview. The tall pine trees look like chopsticks thrust into the ground. The fall foliage brightened up the trail. The crest is a contrast with rock formations offering a great overlook of the city. I entered through Williamette Rd. Bear in mind, Google GPS misses the main parking lot by a quarter of a mile.

The water definitely is amazing , however the hike itself not that much . The route we took was…read moremostly further away from the water and hence not a whole lot to watch on the way but there were multiple waterfalls and creeks etc that you can take a break at and enjoy the cold water and the Sun.Part of the hike was closed which was disappointing but we did the whole 7 mile through a different route .Wished we could have seen the mining villages .It took us approx 1.5 hours to get there from Portland .Parking is limited however since we went on a Weekday it wasn't a problem for us . Also , the crowds were thin , so we really had a great time.

OMG What a great place to hike and swim…read more We went with a big group so we had to break up into two groups. The parking lot is small and they will turn people away if it is full. Luck we made it before they hit maximum. Three miles and a half makes for a long hike but well worth it. The trail follows the creek and is actually the service road for Jawbone Flats. It's an easy hike up and down both ways. You are rewarded with beautiful cool dip in the crystal clear pools. Alternatively there are two hiking trails, one on each side of the creek, you can venture on through this beautiful forest. Afterward we went to the local restaurant at the highway. They had good food and beer.