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.

Worst gym/aquatic centered I've been to. Constantly changing…read morehours. No consistent availability to lap swim. What's with all the weird schedules? Have probably been to this aquatic center 7 times now. Zero times have I been allowed in the water. Either it wasn't time for my child to be in the water therefore we were turned away. Or they had changed the schedule for open swim. They will direct you their website! You are a business. Most businesses keep the same hours. Not excluding some patrons for others. Oh and it's like the only place to swim for a 20 mile radius. Why make it so hard on your patrons to use your facilities. Seems super counter productive. It's city funded. But there are still dues and fees associated with the gym. Seems wild to used the peoples tax's and dollars and then make it almost impossible them to swim. Also they some dumb rule about 2 children per adult! So don't go if you happen to be a single parent with more than 2 kids. Heaven forbid your children want to use the facilities for which you pay.

Lots of space inside. Small parking lot outside. Friendly staff. A little expensive for a community…read morecenter. Plenty of fitness area used very little. It's a kids pool so unless you check the schedule be prepared for noise and kids running wild. Lockers and shower areas are open so it's not for the shy or body conscious. Bring your own towels is my recommendation. It's run with Adults and kids as most of the staff. So things are not always up to par as far as cleaning and orderly.

This park is rough. Pretty hilly trails. Poorly maintained river access. Natural areas have lots…read moreof invasives. I suppose if I was into frisbee golf I might feel differently.

I went for an impromptu picnic and it was very pleasant. I…read moreenjoyed watching the people use the skate park and the BMX track.

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.

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.

Celebrating 12 years of f-cking, s-cking, and occasionally eating Turducken (very rarely)…read more My girlfriend looks thrilled about it eh? We went to the Meating Place Cafe to get some food (I recommend the Turkey Cranberry sandwich with Mama Lil's Peppers) and then headed to Henry Hagg Lake (I also recommend) to eat, hike, and swim.

It's a decent sized lake with great views. There's ample parking and easy access to view the lake…read more Saw a bunch of people boating and fishing in it. Really worth going on a clear day and spending time in the sun laying down in the green grass. There's also a restroom nearby so that's a plus.

We drove an hour to visit Hidden Creek West Park in Hillsboro, and it was absolutely worth the…read moretrip! This park is a total gem--thoughtfully designed, beautifully shaded, and perfect for families. There are plenty of swings and a great variety of play equipment to keep kids engaged for hours. One of the things I appreciated most was the visibility--there's seating thoughtfully placed all around the park, so no matter where your child is playing, you can easily keep an eye on them. There's even a grassy area under the trees where you can lay out a blanket and relax. Even on a hot day, the metal slides stayed cool thanks to the shade, which is a rare and welcome surprise! The kids there were all friendly, and the parents seemed attentive and involved, creating a really positive, safe vibe. My kids had a blast and would've stayed much longer if I hadn't forgotten snacks--lesson learned! We'll definitely be back, this time with a picnic and more time to explore.

First of all the park is huge and the activities available for the kids are wonderful. Multiple…read moreswings, rotating ball, and great big climbing structure with slides and rock climbing wall. There is a fountain for the summer time and outdoor picnicking and grilling. Nice little trail to walk around. Across the street is 3 futbol piches and more park. The community center features indoor courts for basketball, badminton, track, and a gym. Staff is sorry nice and welcoming and the place is clean and inviting.

This is a long, meandering river offering you a ton of recreationally minded activities. Much to…read moresee, much you can do and enjoy - worth your time to top in at one of the points you have access to stop in at along the river. The water is typically a perfect temp in the summer and the current is ideal for tubing - especially in the Clackamas area. Safe enough for the family, pretty enough you want to go alone and soak it in....

The Confession: I'm a masochist. Despite being clumsy and lacking any visual depth perception…read more(seriously, it's clinically proven), I can't really use those excuses when it comes to my persistent ability to get injured. If you see me, chances are I have band-aids on. So, I'm pretty sure it's just that I actually LIKE getting hurt. This is a case in point: The Prelude: Since I was about 3 years old, I have enjoyed exploring the depths of the woods, especially near some giant, rushing body of water that drowns out all the mundane commotion in my head. I like being surrounded by towering trees, waist-high ferns, and little, precious wildflowers. I've run into grizzly bears while huckleberry picking, yet never, ever have I been afraid in the woods. Not even at night when I have to go pee. I actually want to get lost and find my way home. This is my idea of fun, especially if I have a cold beer in hand. Problem is, I usually get hurt while I'm out there. In fact, I judge my excursions as such: the more I get hurt, the more fun I had. The Rub: This is where the Clackamas River is GOD to me. Yeah, I love to come here to swim, hike, camp, float down the river, picnic, etc. But I always leave with excessive scrapes, bruises, scratches, and bloodied body parts. Could be I just play hard. But I think it's more than that. It's as though the river gives me so much pleasure, it demands a little sacrifice from me. Not all rivers have this affect on me, mind you. Yesterday, it took a few pieces of skin from my arm when I fell down a hill, clambering to get to the water on a hot day. Last weekend, it took a chunk out of my leg when I foolishly attempted to mount a log in the river. Painful, yes. But these are battle scars of love, people. This is my idea of heaven. No other river has loved me this much and, I must say, vice versa. The 411: If you want to kayak, raft, camp, hike, lay on the rocks, float in an inner tube, or whatever...check out the Clackamas. Drive straight through Estacada and follow Hwy 224. Or take the fork at the Ranger Station and head down Forest Road 46. There are tons of campsites, both official and just off the road. The water is cold, but refreshing on a hot day. Or, you can head south on 46 to it up Bagby Hot Springs. But please be careful out there, kiddos. People do die on this river every year (in fact, a young woman just drowned 2 weeks ago), so treat it with respect and be aware of the dangers. And if you like getting (safely) beat up by nature, like me, take your neosporin and head out. You're going to get your ass kicked and you'll keep coming back for more.

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

Great walking trials and friendly dogs! Some people do keep them off leash so if that's not for you…read morebe aware.

Awesome big park with Soccer fields, tons of trails, and a 3 story playground! My kids love it!read more