Great day for a hike and Chehalem Ridge didn't disappoint. Plenty of parking, clean restrooms, and…read moresome very nice views. I'll be going back.

Beautiful park with tree covered trails and wide paths…read more We did the woodland trail then continued up Timber Road and onto the Chehalem Ridge trail. Path was mostly flat with slight inclines here and there until you got to Timber Road, this was really the only tougher incline, mostly because it was out in the direct sun. The scenery was beautiful forrest and ferns, with a couple viewpoints out to the hills in the distance. Directional signage on the trials was pretty good, didn't notice any maps aside from the one at the entrance, but at least you could see when trail intersected and which way to go for each. We came on a Friday afternoon, the parking was plentiful and we almost had the trial to ourselves. There are two covered picnic areas at the trailhead, both had a handful of picnic tables and benches. Beware - we were chased off by yellow jackets while trying to enjoy our lunch. We were there on a pretty warm day, so they seemed to be extra active. Restrooms at the trailhead were spacious and clean.

Abiqua Falls! I just visited this beautiful 92-foot waterfall sort of in the middle of nowhere in…read moreOregon but located about 50 miles south of Portland. I have a lot to relay about the experience. This review could take the maximum 5000 words, lol, but I'll try my best to keep things as concise as possible... There are many questions about what to expect from Abiqua Falls. Even myself, I had concerns and doubts. But...I survived and it's an easy adventure to a very secluded waterfall. I'll try and answer the following questions... - Can you drive to the trailhead? From my POV, it's a VERY ROUGH ROAD down to the bottom. There's one specific section (and you'll recognize it immediately) where the road is practically cracked in half with divots and potholes. I actually witnessed a Ford Explorer trying to drive over it on the way back up and it was a big struggle for them! They eventually got past it, but I thought they were stuck. You absolutely need a high clearance 4x4 vehicle to make it down to the base to access the trailhead to Abiqua Falls. For me...I have a Suburu and I parked 2 miles away at the Abiqua Falls "Parking Lot" (according to Google) and then walked 2 miles down to the bottom and 2 miles back up. There was no way I was risking a flat tire, especially with not knowing how to change a tire and there barely being cell phone reception in the area. Btw...just to arrive at the Abiqua Falls parking lot, you must first drive 1.5 miles on a dirt road. For me, dirt and gravel roads are like nails on a chalkboard. I cringe driving over them. - Where is the trailhead located? This is a good question because there's no specific sign for Abiqua Falls, but it's easy to discover. Here's how...the road down to the bottom only goes so far. Eventually, you'll confront a white fence where you can leave your car (if you drove). But...there's a clear opening to the forest on the left-hand side of the road as you're going down. People say it's hard to find, but truly...you can't miss it. If you're any sort of outdoors enthusiast, it's simple. The hike is 7/10ths of a mile out and back. That's it! Again...there's barely any hiking involved, especially if you drive down to the base. - What is the ropes section like on the trail? I must be transparent. I read other people's AllTrails and Google reviews, and this can be deceiving. Let me explain... There were many reviews saying how the ropes section is intense and you're practically repelling down the cliff side. WRONG! WRONG! WRONG! It's an easy pathway. The ropes are no big deal. I have a serious fear of heights, and I casually made my down to the creek. Using the ropes was necessary for the most part, but it wasn't scary. It didn't strain my hands. IT IS NOT STRESSFUL! I'd rate the trail as easy - moderate. Do not fear the incline/decline slope. There's nothing of that sort. It is 100% safe to get up and down the trail. Once down at the bottom of the creek, hang on the left hand side. You'll notice the trail continuing around the bend that leads straight to Abiqua Falls. It's easy. I had no problems at any point in time. I've been on much, much rougher trails during my explorations. I visited on a random Thursday morning at the end of August and pretty much had the falls to myself. There were a few people that came along towards the middle of the day. I believe if you're coming to Abiqua Falls, you must bring a bathing suit and towel. I think it's a right of passage. The waterfall is scenic and the setting is charming, but other than admiring the views and maybe having a picnic, you must take the plunge in the pool of water that Abiqua Falls splashes down into. - Was the water cold? Absolutely! Lol, I was dreading the cold water but made the premeditated decision that I was swimming to have a fun memory. It wasn't even hot outside as well, but I forced myself in and I'm glad I just did it. Obviously, your body adjusts to the cold and it's not too extreme. Overall, the ambiance at Abiqua Falls was liberating. The canyon walls sort of engulf you from high above. You're standing at this dramatic waterfall and when the sun reaches above the tree line, you can notice some slight coloring in the waters which can make for a magical moment. In all, maybe you need a few hours to hang out at the falls before returning to the ropes section and heading back up to the trailhead and road. Again, the hike back up to the top is barely strenuous. It's a slight workout. Most folks can handle it. Lastly, if you're someone who left their car all the way at the top of the road (like I did), it is possible that you may get offered a lift from those hikers who took a chance driving their cars down to the base. If so, hop in, lol. It'll save time not having to trek back uphill. In the end, I enjoyed getting to witness Abiqua Falls. The journey to arrive here was not as daunting as I initially anticipated. And again, from my POV, be kind to your car tires. Don't risk the drive.

Extremely steep. Rope system down to the bottom. I ended up fracturing my spine in 2 places due to…read morea fall. But if you're able to make it then go. Physical fitness is a MUST But a stunning falls to see

If you're gonna do the Trail of 10 Falls (or 8 as it was recently due to northside trail closure),…read moreI recommend a counter-clockwise route starting at South Falls to avoid crowds and work your way up the magnificence scale. Also helps to get there early as you can. Trails were wet from recent showers but well-maintained and not slick. If it's really been raining and the falls are pumping, be prepared for standing water behind a couple of the falls. (Luckily someone had put out small stones to balance on, but from the looks of their wet shoes many people were unlucky in their attempts to cross.) Walking sticks can be helpful in the steeper grades. It now costs $10 to park unless you've got an annual pass

Daily parking permits are $10 per day, per vehicle for Oregon residents, and $12 per day otherwise…read more There are machines that sell the permits at the parking lots, so it's a pretty straightforward process. I went when there was a lot of rainfall, and so there was actually an emergency trail closure that spanned the majority of the park. Fortunately, the Canyon trail between the South Falls and the Lower South Falls was still open, and so I hiked that trail. It was absolutely amazing!! The falls were roaring and the creek was almost overflowing. The hike began with dark clouds and rain. As the trail led down and behind South Falls, the spray from the falls was heavier than the rain, soaking you from head to toe. The path then hugs the creek, which threatened to take over the trail at some points. There's a flight of stairs right before the Lower Falls, and at this point you can hear the thundering crash of the falls. As you go behind the falls, a shroud of darkness envelops you and you realize that suddenly you're fording through ankle deep water. With the loss of sight comes with the deafening noise of the tumbling water, and the spray attacks you every which way. Stumbling through, you emerge and find that the rain has stopped. As you crest up the path, the sun breaks, filtering through the trees with only the silence of the forest, punctuated with the occasional plop-plops of the trees shedding the water drops of the earlier rain. The silence is almost deafening. Good thing that the trail takes you right to the Lodge, which has a roaring fire inside to dry yourself with! There are also cool nature exhibits inside, as well as a small cafe to get drinks to warm yourself from the inside too. I would come here again, rain or shine!

On our way back home from McMinnville, we went through Beaverton to check out Bald Peak State…read moreScenic Viewpoint, which was a nice stop while in the area. I recommend checking out if you're around, with a viewpoint that looks out to Willamette Valley. On a Monday in the early afternoon, we stopped by Bald Peak State Scenic Viewpoint which has a lower parking lot area and on the upper area is where cars can park along the side for a quick stop. From the lower parking lot is a short walk to the upper area, where most people stop by to see the views of Oregon's wine country. There were a few picnic tables and some people had brought out their camping chairs and staked a spot to chill. It's a quiet, serene area that's high up to see the area. But if you're looking for a hiking trail, there isn't much of that here. It truly is just a viewpoint where you can stop and check out.

Beautiful view from this small park on top of this mountain. Restrooms with 2 pit toilets are in…read moreone of the lots. Took a nice picture from one of the picnic tables, but I immediately had my feet surrounded by yellow jackets! I scooted out of there, and back to the car to wait for my daughter, who took the dog down the short trail. It was a far drive (nice drive) for not much and a bee attack! Boo!

Im not sure how successful folks are with catching fish in this large pond, but sitting by the dock…read moreis very peaceful. The lake is centered around the shopping mall so there are a few restaurant that overlook the lake. There are also ducks that live there.

Came here today with fishing friend who did some actual fishing. Nothing was caught (fish 1 -…read morehumans 0), but it was really OK, and I thoroughly enjoyed sitting in my camping chair and watching the fish jump in the air and the world passing by. A few other people were down on the dock casting for fish, others sat on the various rock formations sort of zoning out, and it was a real pleasure to see the children and parents sharing something they really loved. If the youngsters aren't interested in the fishing, they can come down and feed the ducks - such fun. The water is so clear you can see down to rocks and plants on the bottom and also nearest the dock flashes of the goldfish as they glide along (these goldfish eventually grow into some very large carp). There are evidently some sturgeon as well along with the rainbow trout, and also lots of ducks and other water birds (a few still with babies). Oh yes, lots of dragonflies - flashes of black and fiery orange red - add to the charm. People who fish welcome you right into their society and talk readily about their fishing experiences and how the big one got away and even why. This is a terrific family experience and for those who want to come out alone. The best time is to come early, before 7, and especially after the lake has been re-stocked, if you want to catch some fish. But like I said, it's a wonderful experience whether fish are caught or not. Give it a try. And remember if you don't catch any fish, you can hike back up to the shopping center above and get some breakfast. Not a bad day at all, in fact a damn fine one if you ask me.

Great trail...loads to see and a real workout in the process…read more We arrived at the trailhead at 8am to be the first in the lot on a Saturday. By the time we returned the lot was full. There's a decent amount of parking...spots for cars, RVs, and trucks with boat trailers. The pre-trail wanders in and out of the trees and road for a bit, but they have great signage to lead you to the actual head. The trail is great, as you get a smidge of everything you could ask for along the way...some shaded forest, wildlife, wildflowers, stunning coastal views, and a pretty butt-kicking workout to the top viewpoint. Keep in mind, we aren't young, and neither are our hips and knees. There are a good number of high clearance steps to climb that weren't the easiest for a gal with short legs and bad hips. Not to mention that the trail is pretty steep as you zig-zag your way up the non-shaded knoll to the second viewpoint at the top of the lower trail (where it meets the upper). The trail is narrow most of the way, especially on that hillside as you push your way through the tall grasses and flowers. You definitely need to watch your step constantly going up and down, as there are hidden steps, rocks, and uneven surfaces beneath the grasses. We almost ended our trip at the lower viewpoint, but after a bit of contemplation decided to push through and up the hillside to the top. I'm super glad we made the choice, but we definitely felt it! So much to see along the way. We got to watch the elk herd as it grazed the knoll at the first opening, so beautiful. Halfway down the hill from the top a fast moving fog bank came off the coast right at us, engulfing us and removing everything from sight for a minute, while providing us with much appreciated and FABulous cold air... a very cool experience for sure. I highly recommend this trail. Go early if you go on the weekend. And if you're now young ONLY at heart, be prepared for a decent workout if you plan to go to the top...but do it, it's worth it. :)

Wow, All I can say about this hike is WOW. One of the best views not only in Oregon but anywhere on…read morethe planet truly! On the day we went you could see everything you ever wanted to on a hike. The trek up was filled with streams and plants and at the very top a nice clear view of the beaches shorelines which seemed to have stretched on forever. We cant to come back to Oregon simply for this hike alone! Made our trip to the coastline by far the best we have ever gone too! I would highly recommend this hike to any avid hikers not because the difficulty but because the VIEW.

This park is awesome. Amazing views, sweet little hike at the top of the hill, and the longest…read moreslide in Oregon.

This park is really hard to find- I only found it on the Chehalem Park & Recreation's website,…read morethough it does have a Google Maps location. Even on Alltrails, the trail does not show up on GIS- so I don't know if the trail is fairly new, or if this park is just super obscure. Anyway, it was a pleasant surprise since I was looking for a relatively short hike with some elevation gain. I recorded about 130 feet of gain in under a mile- not a ton, but a minor workout and a potential good spot to go back up and down for training. There is a playground, basketball court and the aforementioned trail. What I will say is that the views from the top of the hill are amazing- the trail is really well maintained and you can see out onto the valley for miles. Unfortunately, there aren't any facilities such as restrooms, but there is a nice water fountain. If you live in the area, this is a good place to take kids to play on the playground or shoot some hoops. The trail is fine too, though I likely won't come back for it since it's short and not terribly impressive.

Great hike through the woods. You'll hear a ton of bird calls and see more varieties of mushrooms…read morethan you can imagine. Lots of clearly marked trails with 3 distance options so you can get lost. Not crowded. I need to explore more hiking in this area.

We had a great morning hike at Miller Woods during our stay in McMinnville. It was only about 15…read moreminutes from our bed and breakfast. We arrived early and there was only one other car in the parking lot. The beginning of the hike we did was like hiking on a mowed path in a field, but then we got into the woods and it was great! The paths are well maintained and easy to follow. We only saw 2 other people when we were there- it was peaceful and quiet and we enjoyed it.

It's best to get the hike in two hours before it's dark. In order to see the bridge and the…read morewaterfall. It's about an 1.5 hour hike . Also, it's a suspension bridge ; that means it sways back-and-forth as you're walking on it.

Quick and easy hike with a suspension bridge and waterfall…read more Definitely recommend if you're in the area!

5 yurts, RV, trailer park, bathrooms showers, lots of bike riding and walking paths, shallow creeks…read moreto play in on hot days, dumping sites for sewer and trash, day parking and ride, walk. Picnic tables, safe and secure.

I recently camped here, and thought it was one of the best campgrounds I've camped at so far…read more Like most campgrounds in the area, this is primarily an RV campground, but they do have some space for tent campers, as well as a few first come first serve spots for cyclists and backpackers. I camped in one of the six tent spots, and it was really beautiful. It was heavily shaded, and basically right on the banks of the Columbia River. The park is popular for cyclists like myself because it is situated near the end of the Willamette Valley Bike Trail, a 135 mile scenic route. I rode like a few percent of it, and thought it was amazing. I will definitely be finishing that trail this year. The showers were free for registered campers, and were the closest thing to a real home shower I've experienced at any campground so far. I loved how the park was not too far from Portland, Salem, or the Columbia River Gorge. The park rangers were super helpful and informative. I had called with a bunch of questions after having a bad experience elsewhere, and a ranger reassured me they had "a tighter grip on things" at Champoeg, which seemed to be true. The only issue was that, around 3am, I woke up to what sounded like a rabid wolf. It literally sounded like I was for sure about to get eaten. I made a bunch of noise, but it didn't go away. I yelled to the other campers, "There's like, an angry dog outside my tent!?! This isn't anyone's dog, is it?" It turned out to be a raccoon with very labored breathing (along with two other raccoons who were breathing normally). I suspect maybe it had canine distemper. It was being aggressive towards me, specifically. I had to go sit in my car for a while till it left. I'm not sure whether this was because I had accidentally gotten sprayed by the agricultural fertilizer tractor on my way in, or because the camper next to me had left so much food out on her site (which she ended up putting away at 4am). There is a historic store in the park that sells blackberry sundaes that look amazing, but I wasn't able to make it in during their very limited spring hours (I think they closed at 2). Overall I loved everything except the raccoons and would absolutely camp here again.