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    Chehalem Ridge Nature Park

    4.9 (9 reviews)

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    2 mountains in the distance
    Michelle R.

    What a discovery!! We were staying in Forest Grove and happened upon this Nature Preserve. We weren't really in appropriate hiking/walking attire, but what the heck, we wanted to check it out. Great signage, maps, park art. They had trail maps at every trail intersection. I kept commenting on how well it was maintained, later learning it's a pretty new park. We didn't really see many people, we did see evidence of horses but none on the trails. We hiked 6 miles - there just a lot to explore. Pretty views of the countryside and mountains nearby. Very calming. We loved every minute!!

    Trail Map
    Todd H.

    This is still listed as a new Park. Never had it's grand opening celebration due to two years of Covid. Well all that comes to an end this month. I believe the 17th will be a party by Metro to attract people and let them know the park is open for business. Great picnic pavilions all new and clean. Easily accessible for parties and picnics. Plenty of space to have a good time Nice new bathrooms well maintained and clean for now. The paths are all well marked with maps and direction signs at every turn. Hard to get lost for sure. There are also paths for horses and bikes so be prepared as you cross these paths to share the space. We didn't see anyone or any horse parties. Although they left evidence of their presence behind. Watch where you step. Every viewpoint is worth the extra effort to get there. Presenting different almost 360 views as you hit each one. Definitely recommend visiting them all. The trails are kind of medium skill set. Mostly gravel. There are a couple time ayou cross the old logging road where it can get muddy and slippery uphill. Nothing too challenging just those spots where extra care is needed. A nice place to get into the woods and have a little peace and quiet.

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    10 months ago

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    3 years ago

    Great park, don't think I have been to a better trail marking/mapping. Each trail head had a red dot for where you were and your options.

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    Beaver Falls - Standing underneath Beaver Falls is a Must-Do!

    Beaver Falls

    5.0(1 review)
    46.1 mi

    What a wonderful under the radar waterfall this is...Beaver Falls!…read more Located 6 miles east of Clatskanie, Oregon, this area near the Columbia River is beautiful. Let's get straight to the heart of what Beaver Falls is all about... If you plug "Beaver Falls Trailhead" into Google Maps, you'll have no problem finding it. Then just park along the side of Highway 30 and hike 1/3rd of a mile through the forest to the base of the falls. It's that easy. When I visited on a Thursday in early afternoon of July, there was hardly anyone around which was good for taking quality photos. Best of all, you can swim in the waters. So definitely bring a bathing suit, towel and a pair of water shoes so the rocks won't hurt your feet while entering the pool beneath Beaver Falls. The water is cold but once you jump in and get comfortable, it's a terrific setting. There's also a long rope where you can swing across and splash down below. It's great for kids (and adults too, lol) to have playful times. For me, I was content soaking in the pool and appreciating the surroundings. More info... - It's free to visit. - Cell phone reception works fine. - You can walk underneath the falls! This is a Must-Do. You can capture some amazing moments standing beside Beaver Falls. It's not hard or dangerous and offers a unique perspective. - Beaver Falls is just one of many outstanding waterfalls situated around Oregon and especially near the Columbia River. There's also Lower Lewis River Falls, Panther Creek Falls and Spirit Falls, to name a few. - You can spend a few hours hanging out or as little as 30 - 40 minutes. It depends on your time horizon. But overall, it's really pleasant to be here that I'd suggest bringing snacks, lunch and maybe having a picnic. This Beaver Falls is absolutely so much fun to hang out at. When you can swim in the waters, swing from a rope and even walk underneath the falls, It makes for a worthwhile summer visit.

    Photos
    Beaver Falls - Quiet setting at the falls and ideal for going swimming in the waters.

    Quiet setting at the falls and ideal for going swimming in the waters.

    Beaver Falls - Hiking down towards Beaver Falls.

    Hiking down towards Beaver Falls.

    Beaver Falls - Beautiful Beaver Falls!

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    Beautiful Beaver Falls!

    Abiqua Falls Trailhead - The ropes section of the hike wasn't as daunting as initially feared.

    Abiqua Falls Trailhead

    4.5(11 reviews)
    43.0 mi

    Awesome spot, but you need a good car! Drove a RAV4 to the…read moregate, then walked a short distance. You definitely need a capable car because some uphill parts are rough and slippery (almost lost traction). The hike down is a bit steep and slippery but there are ropes to help. Tip: Bring gloves! After reaching the bottom, just follow the stream to the beautiful waterfall. We had a picnic there and it was so chill. There are no trash cans here,please take your trash with you. I felt like being at a childhood summer camp with the hiking and climbing. The water was too cold to swim this time, but I'll definitely be back during the summer!

    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.

    Photos
    Abiqua Falls Trailhead - The trailhead to Abiqua Falls. It's located on the left hand side of the road.

    The trailhead to Abiqua Falls. It's located on the left hand side of the road.

    Abiqua Falls Trailhead
    Abiqua Falls Trailhead - This is Abiqua Falls, a fantastic under the radar  Oregon waterfall.

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    This is Abiqua Falls, a fantastic under the radar Oregon waterfall.

    Gales Creek Campground

    Gales Creek Campground

    4.0(4 reviews)
    20.0 mi

    This review is day use only, and trail hiking…read more This is an excellent spot to jump on several trails that circle the area. Today I did an 8 mile loop that took me south for a bit then back around. My goal was to stay on the Storey Burn Loop Trail, and I mostly did. It turned into Gale Creek Trail and there were many places where I could have diverted. Watch your map or it will have you darting across highway 6 - don't do it! Although, University Falls is over there and its gorgeous. On the east side there are lots of dirt bikes and hand cannons. The west side is blissfully free of that noise. Now you know. It was super muddy today, suck you out of your boots muddy. The water is flowing with all the rain we've had, and the rain forest is lush with growth. Enjoy!

    I haven't stayed here as a camper, but I've come often for the Day Use Area and to go hiking on the…read morenearby trails around the campground. The facilities are great. Clean, well-kept, and clearly marked. The campsites aren't right on top of each other which is nice! Definitely room to spread out and have a little privacy. The river runs through and it is beautiful! It's a fantastic place to just hang out. Bring the dog and a beer and you're golden! There are a few moderate to difficult hikes that run from the trailhead at the entrance of the campground, so there's always something to do and see! There are multiple points where you can access the river, so you don't have a bottleneck on one trail. You also won't have an issue of people trying to walk through your campsite for river access. Hoping to actually camp here soon, and I'll update my review. But at least for day use I can say it's fab!

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    Gales Creek Campground
    Gales Creek Campground
    Gales Creek Campground - My route. Don't be like Quinn, don't cross highway 6 on foot.

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    My route. Don't be like Quinn, don't cross highway 6 on foot.

    Cascade Head Trail

    Cascade Head Trail

    4.9(10 reviews)
    51.4 mi

    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.

    Photos
    Cascade Head Trail - Cascade Head, the elk herd grazing :)

    Cascade Head, the elk herd grazing :)

    Cascade Head Trail - Cascade Head, continuing to the upper viewpoint.

    Cascade Head, continuing to the upper viewpoint.

    Cascade Head Trail - Cascade Head, Lower Nature Conservancy Trail

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    Cascade Head, Lower Nature Conservancy Trail

    Chehalem Ridge Nature Park - hiking - Updated June 2026

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