beautiful view but the beach was super muddy. definitely not swimmable unless you can handle very…read moresquishy mud and rocks everywhere.

This is a pretty unique park. The entrance is in a residential neighborhood and there's not much…read moreparking by the entrance. However, there's a parking area a few blocks up the from the entrance. At the entrance of the park, there's a nice playground, which is closed right now due to COVID. There's also a portapotty, but no real bathroom. We came on a Saturday morning and enjoyed a quick hike around the island with our three year old and six week old daughters. My three year old loved jumping around the rocks and watching the boats go by on the river. There were a lot of families fishing and splashing in the river, but there was plenty of space to spread out from other people. It's a great spot for a picnic.

t's great for families and solo visitors alike. You can kayak here, but be prepared for a steep…read moretrail down to the water; bringing kayaks on dollies is recommended. Head past the bathroom and down the road to the launch area, then go right from the beach to reach Hog Island. The water is calm and relaxing. It's a nice spot for walking dogs, with easy trails and a sandy area by the river for them to enjoy.

OVERCROWDED in the summer. Hardly any parking. LO Police give $120 parking tickets. Dogs off leash…read morefine $145. Steep hill to lug your inflatable up. "Beach" is very small. Insider tips: come off season or early morning in the summer. Enter on Green Street off of Hwy 43. Great walk off the lower parking lot along the river to Old River Road.

This is my favorite park as the native trees and grasses combined with the no dog policy makes it…read moreperfect for wildlife lovers. I've hiked plenty of state parks in the region that were much larger, but I have never seen or heard so many birds at a park in the Portland region. The park is located right above I-205 so it's not quiet like other state parks, but that's not the reason you would visit here. You're here to see what the Willamette Valley looked like a couple hundred years ago before people of European descent arrived. This region used to be filled with Oregon White Oaks. We've lost about 99% of this species in the region and the associated meadows that went with them. Once you see how many birds, butterflies, and other insects relied on this type of habitat, you'll realize how important native oak trees are to our region, which will hopefully cause you to plant Oregon White Oaks on your own property and help restore the Willamette Valley to its former condition. Thank you to all the people that saved this savanna from development and keep it pristine for the native wildlife of our region.

This is a nice trail to walk through, there are white oak trees that have been on the land for 400…read moreyrs. And more then 100 different species of vertebrates have been identified in the area. 20 acers preserved as a natural sight. You can bring a picnic or sit and rest on one of the benches. Such a beautiful place to enjoy nature. Thanks Roberta & Ed for all your hard work and dedication.

On a sunny day this not so hidden gem is a refuge from the bustling city although it's in the…read moremiddle of an upscale neighborhood in west Linn you can't tell it's quiet secluded and a pleasant experience to indulge in nature or read a book. I've seen lots of wildlife here from eagles to deer and much more

'Tis the season to enjoy Maddax Woods Park…read more Like many parks in West Linn, a group of volunteers aid the city with seasonal displays and activities to make each public park a little unique. At Maddox Woods that means this is the 10th year of the Lighting of Maddax Woods, a seasonal light display and a wildlife scavenger hunt for the kids. There are 36 animals (woodcuts) throughout this 7 acre park along the Willamette River to try to find during your visit. This is a natural park and nature trail that is part of the Willamette Greenway Trail and when you head up the hill and cross the bridge that trail connects you to Burnside Park. Thanks to land donations to the city by early West Linn families there is a lot of open space along the river to enjoy with your human and canine companions. This location is also a prime spot for birders to view one of the largest heron rookeries in our area, that is across the river on Goat Island. This park is pretty hidden and I only discovered it a couple of years ago when you head downhill from the West Linn Public Library. It is more of a nature preserve and walking park without a playground or other amenities. There is a handicapped accessible porta-potty near the entrance. The volunteers sell Christmas trees for $20 to help fund their activities throughout the year. They also have a monthly work party to help maintain the space. You can contact the Friends of Maddax Woods here: http://westlinnoregon.gov/parksrec/friends-maddax-woods. ---- The Lighting of Maddax Woods - 4-9 pm November 16 - December 31, 2013.

This nature park is somehow both beautifully maintained and not adequately maintained at the same…read moretime. Important to note that it is a 'nature park' and not a 'city park' which means fewer amenities (no playgrounds and only one restroom in the main parking lot at the Mather Road entrance) and most importantly, no pets or bikes. There are rules for a reason. There are multiple trails that connect to various neighborhoods and loop up to a Summit Trail, however we didn't get any views from the summit. I've started a hike from the Mather Road entrance and it is all up hill for the first stretch. Our most recent experience was better when we parked part way up the hill and started our hike off of SE Talbert Street to connect to the Park Loop Trail. Unfortunately, the posted signs about poison oak were accurate and the trails were covered in poison oak. And while the trails were easy to navigate, the plants are overgrown and crossing the path, so it is hard to avoid contact. I recommend a change of clothes and/or wet wipes to avoid getting poison oak from your stroll. The area is a nice option on hot or rainy days due to the canopy of trees, but not recommended for young children or those with mobility issues. It is a beautiful short hike and you feel away from it all, even though you are close to the city. The restroom was clean and there is shelter that can be rented for events.

Gorgeous neighborhood park!…read more Beautiful hiking trail with a nice large free parking lot!!! The trails are well marked and I got cell phone service while I was on the trail. There are many trails to choose from. I choose to do the park loop, west ridge, and summit and it was a nice little loop that took about an hour or so. It had snowed the morning of, so the trails were muddy so I would definitely recommend hiking boots. I would definitely come back!

Beautiful trail through nature anytime of the year, but absolutely stellar mid to late April and…read moreMay when the field's namesake, the blue camas, are in bloom and and along with other wildflowers, blanket the fields I'm soft shades of blue, pink, purple and yellow. It's spectacular! There are lots of other wildflowers, too, so keep your eyes out for the many tiny varieties. There's pink sea blush, western yellow buttercup, Oregon grape, pink purslane, trillium (even plum colored ones,) saxifrages and more. I even spotted a handful of white camas amongst the thousands of blue. It's a gorgeous walk, immersed in nature, with birds chirping, bees doing their pollinating thing, butterflies, squirrels, hummingbirds, and even turkey vultures flying above. There are also osprey. Its's an easy trail, .8 miles if you stay in the main loop. With just slight elevation in a few places and sometimes narrow areas, the vast majority of people, including kids, will find it an easy, pleasant walk. The trail itself is dirt and wood chips, and definitely some rocks and basalt in places, with wooden planks guiding you through the pastel wildflower prairies. However, if you require a cane or walker, this trail can be challenging in some parts. I'm using a cane due to labral tear, and the few places where there were slightly steep rocky paths, I waited until a passerby came by and asked for assistance. Fortunately fellow hikers were kind and happy to lend a hand or shoulder. There was a group of four with walkers and canes and they only made it a third of the way and had to turn back. In some parts the path is too narrow or too steep for a walker. The nature reserve is at the end of a neighborhood street so on a weekend in April or May when wildflowers are in bloom, parking is challenging. Definitely go on a weekday if your schedule permits. There is a porta potty on site. And a volunteer on the path should you have any questions about the wildlife and plants you encounter. Dogs are not allowed.

I love this hidden gem of a nature park! My family has come here to see the spring camas and…read moreseablush show a few times now, and we have a great time. Need to know: One-way trail, loop but connects to the high school and wilderness trail too Steep incline at beginning Can be muddy fall to spring Great signage Lots of Oregon natives Sensitive habitat, so stay on trail! Great views Yakima basalt formations Parking is extremely limited, and the reason I removed one star

Enjoy the beauty of Oregon within the city of Portland!…read more Sunrise hike ~ magical. Mossy trees, creek crossings, see beavers & dams, hear woodpeckers peck at wood. Pups & horses allowed, short recreational bike path too. Large parking lot though it will get full if you don't arrive early.

Just behind your backyard kind of hike, who doesn't love that. Nice well kept trail, and I believe…read morethey allow dogs on leash too! Exhilarating tall pines, get ready to soak all that nature in!! I love that it's just tucked close to neighborhood and campus nearby. Plenty of free parking and don't be stuck as they close this park at night. Love love all the trees!!!

Oregon is such a beautiful state. Newell Creek Canyon Nature Park is a lovely park in Oregon City…read more On a recent holiday weekend, the parking spaces were somewhat occupied but with plenty of spaces available. There is a map and public restrooms in front of the park. There was also a map at the point where certain trails split off. The hubby and I did not get too far along the trail we were walking along because I was actually was not wearing proper shoes. Other walkers/hikers ahead of us were either families or couples. I did not see any homeless folks as another review had mentioned. But, again we did not venture too far. Although it was a warm summer day, the tall beautiful trees provided plenty of shade. Flowers along the paths were lovely as well. If I visit Oregon City again, I would likely be back to hike far enough to see the waterfall. 4 stars.

I'm gonna start with the bad cause I like to get that out of the way, there is on-site parking and…read morerestrooms and accessible picnic area and benches upon arrival, but unfortunately those spaces were occupied by people who were living in the park, sleeping on the benches, using the bathroom on the ground, and these are spaces where smaller children obviously would be spending their time. It was not a clean or safe area that I would recommend for anybody who is not here to actually hike a trail.......now that that's out-of-the-way let's talk about the trails! The trails are in good condition, the trees are beautiful of course, and all the lush greenery is so gorgeous, we saw some snakes, bunnies, so many different types of birds and fungi, there are very sturdy benches throughout and some parts of the trails can get pretty narrow. There is no actual view of the canyon It's just all gorgeous greenery which for me it's not disappointing in anyway, but if you are expecting a view, there is not one. Be mindful that if you are hiking down, you have to hike up on your way out I would definitely come back here again, but this is not a place I would suggest for a solo hike or with anyone who needs any type of attention or assistance. Bring a friend and remember there are no pets allowed at all.

Love this park because the trails are accessible for those of us with mobility issues. With my…read morecane, I was able to make my way through the gravel and the dirt trails easily and take in the beautiful wildflowers of spring. In April, the prairie area is filled with deep blue camas, and a few white ones sprinkled in. In mass, they paint the prairie blue. Up close, you can see the intricate detail, petals in shades of blue and even purple, with bright yellow eyes in each flower. They are one of my faves! As you leave the sunny prairie, you are instantly in a shady patch of forest and feel far away from the city, even though you are not. Birds chirping is nature's music as you wander the various loops and check out wildflowers nestled under the trees. I spotted Star of Bethlehem, Wild Geranium, Saskatoon, False Solomon's Seal, Field Sorrel, Prairie Mallow, Woodland Violet, and some common daisy. There are benches along the way if you need a rest or just want to stop and breath in the luxury of being in this little magical place. Along the north side, there are views of the Williamette River. In addition to the trails which are off to the right, there is a playground with a basketball court, swings, slides and play gym, all of which were in use this weekday. There is also a decent bathroom, which is very much appreciated. This park is at the end of a neighborhood where the streets are narrow. As you navigate up through the hills, be aware that children are playing. Before the park there is a dirt area for cars and if you go just a little further, a small paved parking area for about 8 cars with one designated handicap spot. This is a fabulous neighborhood park that welcomes visitors like me. April is the perfect time to visit if you want to see the beautiful fields of camas.

This is such a cute little park and I'm so glad I found it. It's very scenic and despite the nearby…read morecliffs being pretty dangerous (there's signs everywhere), this is a nice place to take your kids if you want to waste some time on a playground. There is a small walking trail around the park which is nice enough, and it all seems well maintained. Directions to get here are a little strange with apps but after driving through a residential neighborhood you'll reach it. Nice spot! I'll be back when I'm back in the area in the future.