I love this park and campground. It had been a few years since I'd been back but it was as nice as…read moreit was before. I love the grassy areas with the big lush trees, yet still lots of sun. We had three spots in a row next to the river which was amazing. We could watch the stars at night and hear the river, which was very peaceful! We were close enough to each other that we felt like a group but very much had our own spaces for time to ourselves or to host when we wanted visitors. You are close enough to town that you can run in if you need anything the little market doesn't have close to the park. We were there for a week and de used to make some outings. We went to dinner in Lebanon one night, hit some balls at a near by golf course, and drove out to Foster Lake for a day in the water. Overall, I love Waterloo and will be returning.

Beware! Linn Co. Parks is now charging $9 per day to park. There's a $75 annual option, but that's…read morenot available at the park itself.

Great park for the kids! I love that it's enclosed. We were out of town and the kids desperately…read moreneeded to burn some energy and this was a great place to do so. Lots of shade for resting. My kids had an absolute blast at this park.

Really fun park for little ones. We are out of towners visiting family, and always looking for…read moresomething fun to do with the kids. Built by donors and run by volunteers. It has a castle and rocket motifs, with lots of different levels and activities. The only catch is that it is located on the grounds of an elementary school (fenced, but still,) so is only available outside of school hours.

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.

I love this park! 25 minutes outside of Eugene sits Dexter State Park. You can swim, boat, kayak,…read morepicnic, and play disc golf here! This is a day use park and there's a boat ramp in the lower parking lot. Speaking of parking lots there is a ton of parking space. You can bring your leashes pups here, heck bring the whole family! Big open fields, tall trees and picnic tables makes this place perfect for an afternoon in the sun. You can swim here but there are only a couple spots where you can access the water and they are a bit rocky. They have bathrooms here and there's a little trail that walks around one side of the reservoir. Sometimes I miss the turn from the main road but just remember when you're coming from Eugene it's right after Elijah Bristow State Park.

This park is located about 20 minutes south east of Eugene, Oregon in Dexter, OR. The park has…read morebeautiful coniferous and deciduous trees, a large dog run, hiking, biking and horse riding trails. There js a parking area for equestrian trailers and an area to saddle horses. There are several trails of varying lengths around the marsh and streams running off the Willamette river. There are wheelchair accessible picnic areas and bathrooms. Some of the trails look even and compact enough for wheelchairs but we didn't venture down any this time. I would definitely come back here again for some trail walking, biking, fishing and wildlife watching. There are heron and turtle here.

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.

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.

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.

Had fun walking the trail. Some parts were pretty steep, but doable…read more There are no trail markers, so take a pic of the trail map before you start.

Beautiful park. Not crowded and paths are easy to follow. We got off path where it was ok and…read moreenjoyed seeing wildlife.

This is a peaceful place with lots of geese around almost all year…read more There are places you can park and just watch birds and other wildlife, and there are trails. The refuge is accessed via many different roads and parking lots. I recommend checking out their maps online. I really enjoy walking the Rail Trail, which includes a boardwalk through a forest that seasonally floods. Very cool. When I visited here in late October, it was the driest I've ever seen it. I didn't see another person and it was very restorative to just walk in silence and solitude. I am excited to visit the new nature center, their website says it will be open January 2022.

This park should is easily in the top three most important stops on a trip to Corvallis…read more There are great spots for a picnic. One of the best rose gardens I have ever experienced, with benches for those who like a good reading atmosphere. There are "dinosaur bone" rock sculptures kids will love... I know this because they stuck in my mind from childhood. But the thing that will bring everyone is the train... fully ready to be climbed all over. It simply rocks... really. Go to this garden, don't consider missing this when in Corvallis, because you will be so sorry you did.

It is close to home and Mary's River Runs Through It! There are some smallmouth bass and crawdads…read morein the river! Nice park nice trails and the Rose Garden! Lots of places for picnics and a playground for the kids! Great place to spend time with your family!

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.

First time here - Fall 2026. $10 all day parking charge, plenty of parking spaces. Recommend…read moreparking closer to the south falls parking lot...if there are empty spots ...unless you feel like walking further :). I came with a party of 6 ...from pre-teens to grand parents. There are bathrooms near the parking areas - gotta look for the signs. Walking trails, and the general area was well maintained. I enjoy reading the history of places I visit and liked how they strategically placed informative placards and maps all over. We came when there was an event ( think it was a race) concluding and the area was packed with cars and people of all walks of life. We checked out the South falls cafe but the lines were long in there and we didn't want to wait. The coffee smell in there was as great! The trails to the South falls were well maintained but wet and muddy at start going down. There were a lot of people doing the hike and we were the slow ones and had to let speedy folks pass by. The views were amazing, especially with the fall colors. There are areas close and behind the south falls that you gotta watch your head. Easy to bump your head on those low hanging rocks! There are also many places to take epic pictures and videos of the South falls. The sound of the waterfall is amazing! We did the quick loop around the south waterfall and headed to the souvenir shop before we left. The older folks in our party were worn out with the climb. Next time I'll come back (minus slowpokes) and do the other falls and the longer trails. Really enjoyed my visit and looking forward to the next time.

If you're looking for a simple, fun, outdoor place to take the family or a group of friends, look…read moreno further. Silver Falls is the place to be. We've been here several times and are never disappointed. It's easy to get to and an enjoyable break from life. And when the weather is great, this is a wonderful place to hike around. You can go under the falls, below the falls, behind the falls, or around the falls. There are also a number of hiking trails that will keep you occupied for hours. The weather was perfect for our little trek, and the beautiful scenery and atmosphere were stunning. On the more beautiful days, parking can be a little bit of a challenge, but just be patient, keep your eyes open, and you'll be rewarded with a fun day for all.