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.

Gorgeous natural park just outside of Springfield, Oregon. Very established and maintained by the…read morecounty, there is a very large parking area, a boat launch and bathrooms that are maintained by an on-site, live-in caretaker. Plenty of swimming areas in the summer months and fishing is great here along the Mohawk River. This is definitely a must visit park when in the area!

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).

It's always a nice time at Skinner's Butte Park no matter what time of year it is. A little colder…read moreon the path by the river, but still a breath of fresh air!

This park is really pretty and overlooked by a lot of Eugenians simply because it resides literally…read morea few blocks into springfield. It's well-maintained, has nice picnic benches to sit on, and great views of the Willamette. Oh, which also means it's a great place to get in for tubing if you're headed down river to Alton Baker.

Truly a tranquil experience!…read more We spotted various kinds of wildlife and some are yet to be found. For the most part this is a paved road which can easily be biked, walked or hover boards have been seen. It was helpful finding a map toward the east side of the bridge. I was glad to see folks patrolling the area with their bikes. I believe that is one way the trail is best maintained especially if you are unaware or they come unannounced. Next time I hope I can bike the entire trail using a bike.

The riverfront bike path is probably one of my favorite places in Eugene/Springfield. The path…read morestretches from Island Park in Springfield to past Valley River Center a few miles away. It's great for commuting by bike or just strolling on a nice day. There are some truly great areas with beautiful views of the river and neighborhoods and just good old fashioned people watching. You'd be amazed watching the "wildlife" of Eugene pass by on a hot summer day. The bike path is named for a past mayor of Eugene, Ruth Bascom, who must have spent a lot of time and energy towards making this the amenity that it is. I don't remember her so much as enjoy her namesake path. Half the fun of the bike path is all the bridges that cross it, from the classic football pilgrimage across the Autzen Footbridge, to the Knickerbocker jump-off spot on hot summer days. I've been crisscrossing these places for years and look forward to the continued expansion over time of this classic Eugene asset.

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.

Great experience I visited this place its like a adventure jungle and we can go with partner family…read moreand friends

Really great experience, plenty of trails offering woods, water, and field views. Uncrowded,…read moreplentiful parking. Very dog-friendly. An undersung gem.

Cute little park at the end of a peninsula in Veneta. Nice trail and super quiet. Lots of large…read moretrees and water access makes this a great hike. Small hike though so don't expect a long trail. Never see anyone here.

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.

Well, I'm an idiot and I took my 8 and 11 year olds up the hard way because they were so full of…read moreenergy. TERRIBLE mistake. It was slippery and way too dangerous for kids. That's on me. I would say that on a dryer day, that level of excitement would be perfect for someone younger than 40, but older than 15. It was beautiful. I just wish there had been more of a warning.