Beautiful | family-friendly…read more We're pretty lucky to have places like this in Wilsonville. I'm so thankful for it. It's dog friendly (some trails) and must be kept on leash. The main trail, before breaking off into other small ones, is paved. We parked in the residential area to begin the walk. We then broke off to go into the woods. It was a very short loop, but it was SO beautiful, especially during the fall season. It's a popular spot to exercise and take your kids to.

This park is adjacent to the community we live in (Villebois) and we have taken many walks through…read morehere. There is a paved path that runs through it between Villebois and Wilsonville road. The is also a path of crushed granite that winds through a short forest area that is nice. My wife doesn't like the sound of the crunching rocks on the path. They are fine with me. We have seen some great wildflowers and many deer that hang out here. It's not that large of a park, but a nice walk. If it is really hot out, the paved path has no shade so don't do it mid day if you don't like the heat.

Free state park with free parking, picnic areas, extra large unfenced dog exercise yards, and a…read morenice walking/cycling trail. Theoretically, there is also a free boat dock, but at the time of writing, a very large tree is fallen across it. Restrooms and garbage are maintained by Oregon State Parks. When I visited, it was pretty clean. The trail along the river is very pretty, although I was only able to access about a mile of it before it got too flooded to hike through. I noticed lots of poisonous plants including poison oak, snowberries, and hemlock. But also tons of moss, lichens, and ferns. In addition to the picnic tables in the picnic areas, there were also several solitary tables set out along the river. This is great for a more solitary picnic, taking a break during a long bike ride, or getting some privacy for drawing or Journaling. Overall just about as good as it gets for free.

Nice park with plenty of river access. And there isn't an entrance or day-use fee at the time of…read morethis writing, so that's a plus. They don't have any trail maps posted, however, so we weren't sure of the distance of the trails or where they went. One trail follows close to the river, and that was nice, with a mix of open sun and shaded forest. The trails were mostly flat dirt or gravel, no strenuous inclines. There's a large off-leash dog exercise area. Dogs are supposed to be on a leash in the rest of the park, but sadly most owners were just letting their dogs run the trails off-leash. They have picnic tables & a good, clean restroom facility as well.

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

If there were no stars I would give this trail none. It is so poorly maintained and dangerous.! I…read morefell 3 times and luckily don't think I broke my ankle but I twisted it. The steps or whatever you call them were in poor condition! There were no easy parts except at the end by the street. I really thought someone would get hurt, fall further down . I guess the description of the trail did not say anything about the perils of the trail.!it is rated as easy. Totally misleading! Even my son in good shape was having trouble. And my dog too. I had to be lifted up a few times. The height of the steps was so high! West Linn is a wealthy area and they can't put money into making the hike safer and more accessible!!! Of course the mud was slippery but even if it was dry it was not good!!

This park gets five stars for a good reason. When I was a little kid, I'd come here with my Nana…read moreall the time. I loved it so much, and used the slides, picked flowers, climbed, and just played. The nature trail is cool, though I never really walked on it. But sadly, when I went with my Nana about a month ago, she remarked that I seemed to be getting too old for it, with me being almost eleven and all.

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 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.

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.

This is a great hike! There are some steep areas but if you're in the right shoes it's o problem.read more

I've driven past this park a thousand times to and from Lake Oswego along the Stafford corridor. My…read morefocus has usually been on the large homes dotting the hillside and didn't realize there were two nature preserves on the hill. Cooks Butte Nature Park is primarily accessed by local residents at four trailheads so parking is minimal at the entrances. The lower entrance also grants you access to Stevens Meadows which is 20 acres of green space, largely undeveloped, and no dogs are permitted. However Cooks Butte has a well maintained trail system full of dense trees, Oregon grape, and trillium and four legged friends are welcome on leash. Be prepared for a climb. Cooks Butte reminds me of a smaller version of the mighty Tryon Park on the other side of Lake Oswego. However, Tryon with its variety of wide trails and (mainly) flat trails is definitely more family friendly. Cooks Butte is more nature preserve, in this case an attempt to reestablish a forest after clear cutting, and doesn't offer many recreational activities or scenic views other than an enjoyable hike. And did I mention the hills? Up, up, up along a switchback trail, or down, down, down along a fire trail. Along the way you'll see a few water towers (tagged with origami flowers, 'cuz even the graffiti is high end in LO) and enjoy a natural landscape. Nice to see a different part of the city, but not one of Lake Oswego's best destinations. Note: The map marker was incorrect, so I've submitted an update.