Day 1
Begin your journey outdoors at French Prairie Gardens (A), a 500-acre working family farm in the beautiful Willamette Valley, with picturesque views in every direction. Each season offers a new experience from flowering annuals to fresh berries and tractor loads of fun.
Continue your fresh air excursion through forests, fields and wetlands at Champoeg State Heritage Area (B), situated along the scenic Willamette River. Walk or bike the paved trails that pass historical landmarks and hug the river.
Play the 18-hole disc golf course under the oak trees. Relax with a picnic, or fish or kayak from the dock. Into birding? Over 130 bird species call Champoeg home, including seasonally nesting Western bluebirds and acorn woodpeckers!
Just 12 miles north discover Wilsonville’s historic and wooded Boones Ferry Park (C). Walking trails and a playground make the park a great place for families.
Why stop at just two parks? At Graham Oaks Nature Park (D) you can choose your own afternoon adventure among 250 acres of elder oak. Watch for native wildlife, take an audio walking tour, learn about Kalapuyan tribes, go geocaching, or gain a new skill by volunteering at the park.
Day 2
Wake up early and start the day at Coffee Lake Wetlands (E). Prepare for a natural energy boost at the site of unique geological formations such as kolk ponds and basalt hummocks that make this place so special. Don’t forget binoculars and a camera.
Traveling with your pup? Memorial Park (F) is Wilsonville’s only off-leash dog area. Even if you left Fido at home, this park is worth a visit. Boeckman Creek, an extensive trail system, athletic fields (including pickleball and sand volleyball courts), and pristine views of the Willamette River make this a worthy stop.
Grab a quick bite to eat before heading over to Molalla River State Park (G), home to one of the largest blue heron rookeries in the Willamette Valley. Use the boat ramp to get on (or near) the water. No boat? No problem. You can cross the river on the Canby Ferry, located just a quarter mile downstream.
Day 3
If time is on your side, a day trip to Multnomah Falls (H) is a must. Fed by underground springs from Larch Mountain, the flow is usually the highest during winter and spring. More than 2 million people stop by each year to take in the views—so if crowds aren’t your thing this may not be the trip for you.
From the falls it’s an hour and a half to Mt. Hood National Forest (I).
The snow-capped and serene Mt. Hood offers an abundance of recreational activities for outdoor enthusiasts. On one side of the mountain, a mossy, temperate rainforest grows. On the other side is a dry forest with Ponderosa pine trees. Go hiking, skiing, kayaking, rafting, fishing, horseback riding, mountain biking, camping and more. The mountain is your playground.
