Regional Parks

John Inskeep Environmental Learning Center

The John Inskeep Environmental Learning Center is a five-acre site located on the Clackamas Community College campus. Offers a shared space for wildlife habitat and environmental education for children, families and adults. Primarily self-guided, but group tours or programs can be arranged. Trails, ponds, workshops, restroom facilities. Also houses the Haggart Astronomical Observatory, the only public observatory in western Oregon. Open daily dawn to dusk. $2 donation is suggested.

http://depts.clackamas.edu/elc
19600 Molalla Ave., Oregon City
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Tualatin Hills Nature Park

Two hundred acres of marshes, meadows, ponds, creeks and forested wetlands are what makes up this urban greenspace. The facilities include an interpretive center, reference library and nature store and restrooms. Facilities and paved paths are wheelchair accessible. Trails are open dawn to dusk and are free. No pets. 

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15655 S.W. Millikan Way, Beaverton
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Oxbow Regional Park

Just 20 miles east of Portland, this 1,200-acre park and natural area features beautiful scenery, old growth forest, access to the Sandy River and many recreational opportunities. An interpretive center offers natural history and environmental education programs. Restrooms, wheelchair accessibility, boat ramp, fishing platform and some paved trails. No pets.

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3010 S.E. Oxbow Parkway, Gresham
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The Oregon Garden

About one hour southeast of Portland lies the Northwest’s premier display garden. Stroll or ride the tram through this 80-acre botanical wonder, which showcases thousands of plants in more than 20 colorful specialty gardens. Discover amazing water features, garden art, a unique display of conifers, the 400-year-old Signature Oak tree, wetlands, wildlife, a playful garden just for children and the Gordon House, designed by legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright.

Hours: May-September, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; October-April, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Open seven days a week.

Admission varies with the season.
www.oregongarden.org
879 W. Main St., Silverton

Hopkins Demonstration Forest

In this 140-acre forest, three miles of trails lead hikers to a variety of habitats and forestry demonstrations. The Watershed Interpretive Trail lets visitors explore the riparian habitat along Little Buckner Creek. The forest also includes interpretive exhibits, covered picnic areas, an amphitheater, restrooms and drinking water. Activities include free 90-minute guided tours, geo-caches and letterbox clues, educational programs, "Wildlife and Aquatic Study Vests" with equipment to help you explore, community events and volunteer projects. Open daily year-round during daylight hours.

www.demonstrationforest.org
16750 S. Brockway Road, Oregon City
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Milo McIver State Park

Situated along the scenic Clackamas River, McIver State Park is only 45 minutes from Portland. This beautiful park provides a variety of outstanding recreational opportunities, including white-water rafting. The park offers interpretive programs in the summer, hiking and equestrian trails, a disc golf course and campsites and restrooms. The Milo McIver Bat Trail is a self-guided nature trail; brochures are available at the park.

www.oregonstateparks.org/park_142.php
24101 S. Entrance Road, Estacada
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Cascade Streamwatch at Wildwood Recreation Site

Cascade Streamwatch is located in the Wildwood Recreation Site, a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) park just 39 miles from Portland. This site offers visitors a unique opportunity to explore natural stream and wetland ecosystems from barrier-free boardwalks and interpretive trails. From the Cascade Streamwatch Trail, visitors can observe young salmon and steelhead through an in-stream viewing window. The Wetlands Trail leads visitors along a boardwalk suspended over ponds, marshes and bogs.

Open May-October, self-guided tours, restroom facilities, BLM park usage fee.

www.cooperativeconservationamerica.org
ww.blm.gov/or/resources/recreation/site_info.php?siteid=221
off Highway 26, Welches
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