# Oregon Outdoor Family ## Posts - [Ruff Park - our favorite little park in Springfield](https://oregonoutdoorfamily.com/ruff-park-springfield-oregon/): The crown of Springfield, Oregon, is its public park system.  Each park is a jewel waiting to be discovered and explored.  Our favorite Springfield park is Ruff Park, formally known as Wallace M Ruff Jr Memorial Park.  Spoiler alert: it’s not a dog park! Ruff Park: the beginning Managed by Willamalane Parks & Recreation District, Ruff Park is a 10-acre magnolia arboretum.  Its ambitious beginning dates to the 1970s.  Wally Ruff, a local high school student, purchased the land to start his own business.  The enterprising young man grew flowers on the property and sold the flowers to pay off… - [7 Reasons to join a Willamalane Hiking Trip](https://oregonoutdoorfamily.com/willamalane-hiking-trips/): Recently, we had a unique opportunity to try a new hiking program with Willamalane Parks & Recreation District.  My daughter and I went along for the inaugural hike.  We’d never been on a guided hike before so we didn’t know what to expect.  The day of the hike, we drove to Shotgun Creek, met a group of fellow hikers, and set out for 3.5 miles around Shotgun Creek park.  We had the best time and definitely plan to repeat the experience soon! Two more hikes are planned for 2020, each with a volunteer guide from the Obsidians hiking club.  Here… - [Skylight Cave is worth getting up early to see - Deschutes National Forest](https://oregonoutdoorfamily.com/skylight-cave-near-sisters-oregon-deschutes-national-forest/): Imagine for a moment having a travel experience so ethereal, so surreal, that you can’t even put it into words.  My experience at Skylight Cave was almost spiritual in a way.  It left me awestruck and speechless, which is pretty unusual for me!  Now, I struggle to write about it because it was simply too big an experience for mere words. I want to stress that Skylight Cave is a very special place.  It’s undeveloped and not a place you would ever just stumble upon.  Getting there requires purposeful planning and knowledge of the roads.  Otherwise, you could wander for… - [Big Lake Campground - Our most beautiful campsite ever!](https://oregonoutdoorfamily.com/big-lake-campground-oregon/): In pursuit of adventure, we searched for a campsite on the hills of the Santiam Pass.  Based purely on location alone, we chose Big Lake Campground near Sisters, Oregon.  What we found is a paradise of white mountains and blue water surrounding a campsite filled with flowers. About Big Lake Campground Big Lake Campground has 49 sites for RV or tent camping.  It’s located on the shores of Big Lake, between Hoodoo Ski Park and Mt. Washington.  The campground does not have electric or water hookups but does have several water faucets and vault toilets.  There is also a day… - [7 hikes near Springfield to take this weekend](https://oregonoutdoorfamily.com/local-hikes-near-springfield/): Beautiful winter days, lovely spring afternoons, and sizzling summer mornings are perfect for hikes.  If you’re near Springfield, Oregon, you don’t have to travel far for great hiking.  These 7 hikes near Springfield are perfect for breathing deeply and stretching your legs. 1. Mount Pisgah Arboretum Mt Pisgah is a Lane County park located on the southwest side of Springfield.  With 7 miles of trails across more than 200 acres, there’s plenty of space for everyone.  You can visit every weekend and take a different route!  Discover the rope swing on one hilltop or explore until you find the bird… - [Flower Farms in Oregon you'll want to visit this year](https://oregonoutdoorfamily.com/flower-farms-in-oregon/): ‘Tis the season for flower catalogs, seed packs, and planning which flower farms in Oregon we’re going to visit. Wait.  There are flower farms that allow visitors? Yes!  And they’re utterly delightful.  Each farm has it’s own distinctive appeal, but in general, imagine wandering through acres of bright flowers, each one as unique as the next.  This is the place to see new varieties, one-of-a-kind hybrids, and even participate in naming next year’s new crop of flowers. Without further ado, our favorite flower farms in Oregon, in order of bloom season: Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm The Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm… - [Why you Should Always Carry the 10 Essentials for Short Day Hikes](https://oregonoutdoorfamily.com/10-essentials-for-short-day-hikes-oregon/): The fire roared down the canyon, shutting off escape routes and filling the air with thick smoke.  Miles of trail burned as the raging inferno trapped 153 hikers behind a wall of fire, forcing them to hike for hours in the dark and sleep on the ground overnight.  Dressed for a fun day at a local swimming hole, some wore only swimsuits and wet towels. Fire! The Eagle Creek fire was started in September 2017 by a teenage boy.  It eventually burned over 48,000 acres and took an entire year to fully extinguish.  Many hikers told the harrowing story of… - [Snowshoeing at Gold Lake Sno-Park - a Willamalane Trip](https://oregonoutdoorfamily.com/snowshoeing-at-gold-lake-willamalane/): I’ve always wanted to try snowshoeing, but the timing has never worked, and I had no idea what to do or where to get gear.  Then our recent work with a local newspaper, Free for All News, opened a new opportunity to us: we were invited to participate in an activity with Willamalane Parks & Recreation District.  I browsed Willamalane’s guide, chock full of activities, including outdoor trips like a guided snowshoeing hike at Gold Lake Sno-Park.  This was my chance!  I needed a photographer, so they also welcomed my partner in crime (and daughter), Camille. Before I jump into… - [Explore the Incredible Marble Halls of the Oregon Caves with Kids!](https://oregonoutdoorfamily.com/explore-oregon-caves-with-kids/): A cave!!! In the imagination of all children the word cave is synonymous with adventure. The Oregon Caves does not disappoint. As we were out adventuring one summer, we found ourselves attracted to a tried-and-true location: the Oregon Caves National Monument. We’d visited before, but we wanted to explore the Oregon Caves with our kids.  It was also 107°F and a cold cave sounded divine. The road to the caves is a bit snaky. Carsickness was not a problem for us, but for others be forewarned. Once we reached the parking lot we sat and ate a bit of lunch… - [9 Mistakes We've Made While Hiking with Kids](https://oregonoutdoorfamily.com/9-mistakes-hiking-with-kids/): Every hike starts with the best intentions.  But sometimes, despite our thoughtful preparations, things go wrong.  We’ve hiked with our kids for over 14 years, and even we still make mistakes, including an epically bad trip I’ll tell you about in a minute.  First, here are 9 mistakes we’ve made while hiking with kids, and what we’ve learned as a result. 1. Not taking extra clothing and diapers This seems so obvious, but it’s easy to overlook when you’re managing water bottles, snacks, backpacks, and making sure everyone is actually wearing shoes.  When you’re hiking with young children, make sure… - [Hike the unforgettable Lava River Cave with your kids](https://oregonoutdoorfamily.com/hike-lava-river-cave-with-kids/): Once in a while, we go on a hike that is so different, so intrinsically unique, that we rave about it for weeks and we know it’s a hike we’ll always remember.  The Lava River Cave in Oregon is such a hike.  It’s been on our to-do list for years, and we finally made the trip to central Oregon.  It is well worth the drive to hike the Lava River Cave with kids. The History of the Lava Tube Cave The Lava River Cave, located between La Pine and Bend on Highway 97, is technically a “lava tube”, formed by… - [An ode to hiking shoes](https://oregonoutdoorfamily.com/favorite-hiking-shoes-for-women/): My favorite shoes A peaceful winter trail walk A long summer hike I don’t always write poems about my shoes.  But when I do, they’re haikus.  Okay, I never write poems about my shoes or anything else.  But I feel a bit wistful about my favorite hiking shoes.  Yesterday, I bought new shoes.  My old ones carried me along countless miles of Oregon trails, above ground and below.  I’ve hiked desert trails, forest trails, high altitude and low.  I’ve hiked caves and lava tubes, and I’ve stood in creeks running with frigid water, while my toes stayed warm and dry. … - [Safely Hike the Big Obsidian Flow trail at Paulina Lake](https://oregonoutdoorfamily.com/big-obsidian-flow-trail/): The Big Obsidian Flow trail sounds innocuous enough: A one-mile interpretive trail climbs up and onto this impressive lava flow of obsidian (black glass) and pumice 1.   We were already in Central Oregon for other hiking adventures, and this sounded like an easy trek with a big payoff. We were both right and wrong.  If you’re considering hiking Big Obsidian Flow with your children (or dogs!), keep reading.  It’s possible to safely hike it, and the views are amazing, but hiking the trail carries a big warning, and you’ll need some extra preparation. Newberry National Volcanic Monument First, a… - [Fort Rock Homestead Village Museum: a photographer's walk through history](https://oregonoutdoorfamily.com/fort-rock-museum/): Whenever we travel, we enjoy learning about the local history.  My favorite souvenirs are history books.  And so, when we read that the Fort Rock museum is a Homestead Village on the way to the town of Christmas Valley and our hike at Crack in the Ground, we wanted to go! Alas, the museum is only open Thursday through Sunday.  We were going to be there on a Wednesday.  The website suggests calling ahead, if a volunteer is available, they’ll open the museum especially for your group.  But…I didn’t call.  We planned our trip at the last minute and I… - [LaPine State Park: a surprising experience](https://oregonoutdoorfamily.com/lapine-state-park-campground/): We love solitude, quiet, and remote camping spots.  Our family carries enough chaos (with 6 kids!) so we seek out the calmest and most private places possible for setting up our tent.  LaPine State Park was none of these things.  And we loved it! LaPine State Park campground review La Pine State Park is part of the Oregon State Park system, and has 2,333 acres near LaPine, Oregon.  The campground includes 129 campsites, most with tent pads and full hook-ups for RVs.  It also features 10 adorable log cabins.  We chose LaPine State Park for our summer adventure trip because… - [Crack in the Ground hike delivers a deep experience](https://oregonoutdoorfamily.com/crack-in-the-ground/): Close your eyes for a moment, and breathe deeply…feel the hot sun warming your neck as the dust assails your nostrils.  The dry scent of sagebrush and the sharp smell of juniper hang in the air.  And then you descend down, down, down.  The temperature drops 20 degrees, and there’s blessed relief from the relentless summer sun. Welcome to Crack in the Ground, maybe the most unique hike you’ll take this year.  Add this one to your bucket list, because I guarantee you don’t want to miss this.  Crack in the Ground is a 2-mile long volcanic fissure in south… - [TRAIL CLOSED Hike to the extraordinary Henline Falls and Silver King Mine](https://oregonoutdoorfamily.com/henline-falls-and-silver-king-mine/): Henline Falls Trail currently CLOSED due to the 2020 Beachie Creek Fire.   As we researched hikes for the summer, one hike appeared again and again.  It was like this echo with vague details, promising a stunning waterfall AND a creepy abandoned gold mine.  But first, I had to find it, and I had no idea what it was called.  I feel like I’m giving away a precious secret writing about this magical place, but I promise you I am not… Henline Falls and the Silver King Mine are pretty easy to find, both online and in person.  And better still,… - [Hiking the Goodman Creek Trail with Kids](https://oregonoutdoorfamily.com/goodman-creek-trail/): We’re always on the lookout for good trails to hike with kids near Eugene.  Browsing some local hiking guides, the Goodman Creek Trail was recommended more than once.  Only 25 minutes from Springfield, and promising log bridges over trickling creeks, ending on a pebble beach.  Sounds like a great way to run off some winter energy from our busy kids. Hardesty Mountain Trailhead The Goodman Creek Trail is off the Hardesty Mountain trailhead, located on Highway 58 between Dexter and Westfir.  The parking lot is ample, which is good, because on a nice day the parking lot had quite a… - [Elijah Bristow State Park - Great hiking for kids near Eugene](https://oregonoutdoorfamily.com/kid-friendly-hiking-elijah-bristow/): There’s a secret park 30 minutes from Eugene, and it seems like almost no one goes there.  It’s like the proverbial hidden gem, and I really shouldn’t even be writing this post.  Shhhhhh.  It is Elijah Bristow State Park, just east of Pleasant Hill on Highway 58.  And really, it’s an incredible place to visit, especially if you have kids.  Ten miles of trails trace the North Fork Willamette River, circle a beaver pond. and snake through the forest. Equestrian Park Most of the trails at Elijah Bristow are very kid-friendly and safe, as long as you’re watching out for… - [Day Hiking Gear for Families - What to Carry for Toddlers through Adults](https://oregonoutdoorfamily.com/day-hiking-gear-for-families/): Day hiking with kids is such a rewarding experience, and a lot of fun, but preparation is a big part of making sure the hike goes smoothly.  It can be the difference between “Let’s go again!” and “We never should have gone.”  We’ve hiked with our kids for 14 years, and here are some of our favorite day hiking gear for families that we are sure to pack for every short day hike. I’m organizing our packing lists by age…toddler, school-aged kids, teens, and adults.  I will also explain why I’ve chosen each item and how we came to love… - [Mount Pisgah Arboretum - Water Garden Trail](https://oregonoutdoorfamily.com/mount-pisgah-arboretum-water-garden-trail/): You simply cannot live in Eugene or Springfield without being a fan of Mount Pisgah Arboretum.  With 7 miles of trails spread over 209 acres, there is a trail for every hiking style.  Bring your dog, bring your stroller, bring your grandma, bring a picnic! Mount Pisgah Arboretum Want to hike to a panoramic vista point?   Mt Pisgah. Want to hike an arid hillside, enjoying the warmth of the sun and the scent of sun-baked vegetation?  Mt Pisgah. Want to stroll leisurely down a well-graveled and shaded trail to a riverside bench?  Mt Pisgah. Want to explore a narrow path… - [For the ultimate in waterfalls, hike the Sweet Creek Trail](https://oregonoutdoorfamily.com/sweet-creek-trail/): Amazing.  Incredible.  Stunning.  Unbelievable.  None of these adjectives quite live up to the Sweet Creek Trail, near Mapleton and one hour from Eugene.  I even used a thesaurus.  This trail stands on its own, without superfluous descriptions. Eleven waterfalls line a one-mile trail in the forest near Mapleton, Oregon.  ELEVEN.  E. L. E. V. E. N.  Try taking photos of all of them, I dare you.  One waterfall flows into the next, and it’s hard to keep your eyes on the trail.  I think I photographed nine on our recent trip, and we were enthralled with the experience. Homestead Trailhead… - [Best Winter Hikes Near Eugene with Kids](https://oregonoutdoorfamily.com/best-winter-hikes-near-eugene/): Hiking during the winter in the Eugene / Springfield area is tricky with young children.  They need fresh air and exercise, but everything is wet, or muddy, or wet and muddy.  Thankfully, we have some great hiking trails that are perfect during the winter, and stroller-friendly, too. Eugene is central to lots of great hiking and we are building our list of our favorite winter hikes for kids near Eugene.  Our criteria is pretty simple: Each hike must be within 30 minutes of Eugene (we measure from Starbucks on Gateway because it’s somewhat centrally located between Eugene and Springfield, and… - [A Must-Do Winter Walk at Fall Creek Lake](https://oregonoutdoorfamily.com/winter-hike-fall-creek-lake/): It was deep into January and our family needed a new adventure.  My husband brilliantly suggested we visit an empty lake.  Every year, Fall Creek Lake is drawn down to the historic stream level.  In other words, they open the dam and empty all the water so just the natural stream is flowing.  The Army Corps of Engineers draws down the lake to improve passage for juvenile salmon.  As a result, the lake is very low during the fall and winter months. Fall Creek Lake Hiking to the bottom of Fall Creek Lake met our criteria for an interesting family… - [10 things to see and do at the Willamette Fish Hatchery in Oakridge](https://oregonoutdoorfamily.com/willamette-fish-hatchery/): Free mini golf, a nature trail, a museum, and salmon.  What do these have in common?  They’re all part of the marvelous Willamette Fish Hatchery near Oakridge, Oregon. The Willamette Fish Hatchery promises a fun afternoon for your kids, and I bet you’ll be fascinated, too.  Willamette Fish Hatchery is one of two fish hatcheries near Eugene, and while we visit the Leaburg Fish Hatchery often, we hadn’t been to Willamette Fish Hatchery yet, and we were keen for something new to do.  We found way more than we expected. The fish hatchery is completely free to visit, but pack… - [Leave it better than you found it...our hiking motto](https://oregonoutdoorfamily.com/leave-it-better-than-you-found-it/): The campground was peaceful and mostly empty.  The tall Douglas fir trees overhead promised shade from the hot sunny day, and the quiet trickling of the nearby creek would surely lull us to sleep that night.  Arriving at our campsite, though, we were dismayed to find trash.  Lots of trash.  Toilet paper in every patch of grass, bottle caps, applesauce pouches.  Old diapers were in the fire pit, along with plastic cups and styrofoam plates. This is how our family’s outdoor motto began:  Leave it better than you found it. That day, my kids and I spread out with plastic… - [9 activities to keep your kids busy on camping trips](https://oregonoutdoorfamily.com/camping-activities-for-kids/): No matter how exciting a camping location may be, there are times where your kids may need something to do.  We tend to especially need camping activities at night,  while I’m cooking dinner. I can’t supervise them running all over the campground, and my husband is usually doing other essential chores, like chopping wood. Cue the activities. I don’t like packing a ton of stuff we won’t use, and I do prefer that my kids explore and play with whatever is around.  Stickball is a legit sport!  But sometimes we just need something quiet and to keep the kids in… - [Stay in the historic Musick Guard Station - Forest Service cabin rental](https://oregonoutdoorfamily.com/musick-guard-station/): Musick Guard Station is currently closed due to extensive vandalism and destruction of property.  The severe damage has made the location unfit for use at this time. Repairs and modifications need to be completed before reopening, including historical feature repair. The closure will likely remain in effect for the 2024 camping season.  Musick Guard Station is a historic fire guard station built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) on Bohemia Mountain in 1934.  Forest Service fire crews lived in the cabin, in sight of the Fairview Peak Lookout just a bit up the mountain.  Now, the cabin is available as… - [Hunting for Painted Rocks in Springfield, Oregon](https://oregonoutdoorfamily.com/find-painted-rocks-in-springfield/): What is rocking, you say?  Only the hottest new phenomenon to hit Springfield and Eugene!  It’s actually been around for a couple of years, but our family has recently joined the craze and we’re pretty sure you’ll want to join, too. In short, people collect or buy small rocks, paint a design on them, and then hide them around town.  Other people find them and either keep or rehide.  Unlike geocaching or Pokemon, there’s no GPS involved and you don’t need any equipment.  However, you also won’t know where rocks will be hidden.  The sole purpose of “rocking” is to… - [Silver Falls State Park - Family-Friendly Hike near Salem, Oregon](https://oregonoutdoorfamily.com/silver-falls/): Whether you like long hikes or short ones near the car, Silver Falls State Park has everything you’ll want.  Hike the full 7.2 mile Trail of Ten Falls to see all 10 waterfalls, or park near the North Falls for a shorter hike to two waterfalls.  Silver Falls is a family-friendly hike, so bring your baby carrier, but leave the stroller at home.  Dogs are not allowed at all, so leave them home, too.  Best of all, you can walk behind several of the waterfalls for a unique experience you’ll never forget. South Falls Our family visited on a blisteringly… - [Proxy Falls - Willamette National Forest](https://oregonoutdoorfamily.com/proxy-falls-hike/): Proxy Falls is the perfect mountain escape on a hot valley day.   We fled the Willamette valley on such a day, with the thermometer hovering around 97 degrees.  Proxy Falls is one of our very favorite hikes and it called to us.  We answered by hauling 6 kids up to the Old Mckenzie Highway and parking under the old Douglas Firs lining the road.  It’s worth the drive from wherever you are, as it’s one of the best waterfall hikes in Oregon. - [Thompson's Mill State Heritage Site](https://oregonoutdoorfamily.com/thompsons-mill-state-heritage-site/): While paging through an Oregon State Parks guide, I noticed a listing for a state park less than an hour from home, Thompson’s Mill State Heritage Site.  What is this?!  I thought we’d been to all the state parks nearby.  The guide said it was a flour mill that started in 1848.  Of course, we had to go! In short, Thompson’s Mill may be the coolest state park you’ve never heard of. Arriving at Thompson’s Mill We packed a picnic lunch and drove 45 minutes from Springfield, Oregon, to Thompson’s Mill, near Shedd, Oregon.  We followed Hwy 99E for a… - [Lund Park Campground - Umpqua National Forest](https://oregonoutdoorfamily.com/lund-park-campground/): Currently Closed due to 2024 Lane 1 Complex Fire. Nestled deep in the heart of the Cascade Mountains and bordered by miles of national forest lies a quiet campground where solitude is nearly guaranteed.  Lund Park Campground boasts just 10 sites and basic amenities.  Perfect for a family like ours. We stayed 2 nights at Lund Park in mid-July.  After driving through, we chose site #8 for its distance from other occupied sites and its safety for our small children.  Site 8 is against the road, but a steep (really steep!) climb is required to reach the road.  Otherwise, we… - [Salt Creek Falls - Oakridge, Oregon](https://oregonoutdoorfamily.com/salt-creek-falls/): Salt Creek Falls is one of our favorite stops on Oregon’s Highway 58, which links the valley to Central Oregon over the Willamette Pass.  It’s a great place for a quick rest or to spend a whole day. Salt Creek Falls is Oregon’s second-highest single drop waterfall at 286 feet.   It’s also one of Oregon’s most powerful falls with an annual average of 50,000 gallons a minute plunging toward the pool below.  The upper observation deck is 50 yards from the parking lot and is fully wheelchair accessible, with the entire falls visible. Trailhead at Salt Creek Falls There’s one… - [The perfect path for a rainy-day walk with kids - Willamalane Middle Fork Path from Dorris Ranch](https://oregonoutdoorfamily.com/willamalane-path-middle-fork/): When it’s a maybe-it’ll-rain kind of day, but also a we-gotta-get-the-kids-out kind of day, we like to hit up Willamalane’s new Middle Fork Path through Springfield.  It’s a 4-mile paved path along the middle fork of the Willamette River.  We like the paved path because it’s easy for the stroller but the scenery is amazing. There are 3 main trailheads along the Middle Fork Path.  One at Clearwater Park, one in the middle near Agnes Stewart Middle School, and one at Dorris Ranch.  This day, we chose Dorris Ranch because we hadn’t walked that part of the path yet. The… - [Hiking the Thurston Hills Natural Area - Springfield, Oregon](https://oregonoutdoorfamily.com/hiking-thurston-hills-willamalane/): Willamalane’s Thurston Hills Natural Area in Springfield, Oregon, is the perfect hike for families and it’s right in town, making it even better.  There are lots of options for trails, including mountain biking trails. Thurston Hills Natural Area Parking is off Main Street and 75th street in Springfield’s Thurston neighborhood.  There are ample parking spaces, bathrooms with flush toilets, and even a bike washing station. (Note: The trail goes all the way to Mt Vernon off Bob Straub, but there’s no parking there yet and the trailhead isn’t obvious.) Easy Hiking The first two miles are uphill, but the switchbacks… - [5 ways to stay cool when it's 110 degrees](https://oregonoutdoorfamily.com/5-ways-to-stay-cool-when-its-110-degrees/): Guys, if this isn’t Armageddon, I don’t know what else is.  Our forecast for the next few days ranges from “Phew, it’s hot!” to “OMG, we’re all gonna die.” My number 1 tip for staying cool is to shut the shades, turn up the AC, and stay home.  But if getting outside is more appealing, then here are a few days to stay cool in Eugene when it’s 110°F outside. 5. Go Caving If you’re in Oregon and don’t mind driving a little ways, we have several caves that stay cool year-round and are well worth the visit.  The only… - [Dorris Ranch Hiking - Willamalane Parks, Springfield](https://oregonoutdoorfamily.com/dorris-ranch/): Dorris Ranch in Springfield, Oregon, is one of our favorite parks.  It’s a “living history” hazelnut orchard, a working farm since 1892.  The property was acquired by Willamalane, Springfield’s parks and recreation district, and all 308 acres were put into public use as a park and non-profit farm.  The Dorris Ranch hiking trails are perfect for kids and families. Our family has visited Dorris Ranch many times over the years, and is a favorite because it’s such a unique park.  You can wander through the orchards endlessly, jog the paths in a loop, or visit the river for a picnic. … - [Visit the Leaburg Fish Hatchery with kids of all ages](https://oregonoutdoorfamily.com/leaburg-fish-hatchery/): Leaburg Fish Hatchery has been a favorite day trip location for over 20 years, even before we had kids.  It’s a wonderful place to have a picnic, take a walk, and feed fish!  In recent years, they’ve made several improvements and we were especially surprised to see a few more on our recent trip. When you arrive at Leaburg Fish Hatchery, via a scenic drive along the Mckenzie River, you’ll cross the dam and have a few choices of where to go next.  Turn to the left and you can park near the bathrooms, explore a small info center, and… - [Alderwood Wayside - Oregon State Parks - Cheshire, Oregon](https://oregonoutdoorfamily.com/alderwood-wayside-oregon/): We really wanted somewhere new for our weekend hike with our kids, so I hit the maps and found Alderwood State Wayside park about 40 minutes from our house.  It didn’t promise much, except for a “short hike” and a bridge across the Long Tom River.  It sounded a little like an adventure, so we packed up the minivan and took off to explore this hike with our 5 kids. The drive to Alderwood was lovely on a sunny late-winter day.  We admired the sheep against the green fields, and the gently curving road that uncovered red barns set against… - [9 things my kids love about our adventures](https://oregonoutdoorfamily.com/9-things-my-kids-love-about-our-outdoor-adventures/): After a few summers of our “grand adventures”, I asked my two oldest children, ages 11 and 6, to list five things they love about our summer travel adventures.  Their answers surprised me a bit.  I really thought they’d list things they’d done or, even more likely, souvenirs they’d bought along the way. But they didn’t.  They surprised me in the best ways. Our 11-year-old daughter In her own words, at least as close as I could get while simultaneously writing down her answers and listening. 9.  We get to explore.  We go to forests and we are able to… - [Organize your Camping with a Camping Notebook](https://oregonoutdoorfamily.com/camping-notebook/): Browsing Pinterest one day, I saw a post for creating a camping notebook.  Bah!  Who would be THAT organized for CAMPING?!  Camping is the antithesis of organization.  What I really wanted was a list for packing before my trip, I didn’t need a whole binder, for goodness’ sake. Oh, but wait.  I love lists and being organized.  I love making tiny check marks and filling in blanks.  So I pinned the post and forgot about it.  Until the following summer.  I printed out some packing lists that I’d created, but I still forgot things.  And I never could remember what… - [Jasper State Recreation Site - Jasper, Or](https://oregonoutdoorfamily.com/jasper-state-recreation-site-jasper/): The long, rainy days of Oregon’s Willamette Valley can make anyone stir crazy, and sometimes we need to get outside for some fresh air.  But mud, not so much.   We often choose to visit Jasper State Recreation Site, just minutes from Springfield and stroller-friendly. Jasper State Recreation Site (I’ll just call it Jasper Park after this) is closed from Sept 1 until May 1, but there’s a small parking area outside the gate and you’re welcome to park there and walk in.  There’s no cost while the park is closed, but there are also no amenities such as bathrooms.  During… - [Mill Race Path in Springfield, Oregon](https://oregonoutdoorfamily.com/mill-race-path/): Hiking near Springfield is our family’s passion, and so when the city of Springfield passed a bond measure to build new paths and trailheads, we were elated.  When one of the first new trails opened, we were there!  The Mill Race Path is a 3-mile paved trail for hiking and biking.  And because it’s stroller-friendly, the Mill Race Path is the perfect destination for winter hikes with kids. The trailhead is on the edge of Springfield, just down the street from Willamalane’s Bob Keefer Sport Center on 32nd Street.  Two bathrooms are available, as well as a water fountain and… - [LCC Trail - Eugene, Oregon](https://oregonoutdoorfamily.com/lcc-trail/): On a cold, but sunny, winter day, we were all itching to get outside.  We packed up the kids and headed to Lane Community College in Eugene, Oregon.  They have a short walking trail that’s perfect for children. The beginning of the walking trail is near LCC. You’ll find it at the very west end of the parking lot, through a gate marked “Private Property”. You are allowed to walk through, but they ask that you not drive through or block the gate. Park in the parking lot D, walk through the gate and up the road a short way.… - [Chicken & Broccoli Alfredo](https://oregonoutdoorfamily.com/chicken-broccoli-alfredo/): If you’d rather prepare a meal in advance and just warm it up at the campsite, then this recipe for Chicken & Broccoli Alfredo is perfect.  We went camping over my husband’s birthday, and I really wanted a special meal, something different from our usual camping fare.  So I took an easy, but favorite, meal to surprise him. I cooked everything before we left, but kept it all separate.  Chicken in one bag, pasta & broccoli in another bag, and the homemade sauce in a third bag.  I know, it’s a lot of bags, but I wasn’t sure it would… - [Campfire Cinnamon Rolls](https://oregonoutdoorfamily.com/campfire-cinnamon-rolls/): I think I’ve tried every Pinterest recipe for campfire cinnamon rolls, and none have really turned out until this one.  It’s honestly hard to bake over an open fire.  I know our ancestors did it, but I don’t have their expertise and so far I haven’t the patience to master it on my own.  My baked creations either char and taste like smoke, or they are gooey raw.  But this recipe for Campfire Cinnamon Rolls actually cooked pretty well and was delicious.  They stuck to the skillet terribly, but what I scraped off was perfectly edible, if not exactly beautiful. … - [Baked Potato Bar](https://oregonoutdoorfamily.com/baked-potato-bar/): Having a baked potato bar while camping is super easy, but takes some time, so plan ahead. The first time I made one, it was purely a desperate idea for “What am I going to take?!”  I didn’t even know how to cook baked potatoes over a campfire.  But really, how hard could it be?  I figured I’d just wing it.  (Haha, don’t make that mistake.) First I tried cooking them on the fire pit’s grate.  After 30  minutes, the potatoes were rock hard and COLD.  Then I put them on the edges of the fire.  Nope.  Finally, I shoved… - [Campfire Roasted Strawberries](https://oregonoutdoorfamily.com/roasted-strawberries/): Roasting marshmallows is so yesterday.  On your next trip, instead of plain old marshmallows, take strawberries and marshmallow fluff. You’ve never had a strawberry until you’ve had Campfire Roasted Strawberries. Even if you don’t like marshmallows.  Like me. Magical things happen when you cover a strawberry with marshmallow fluff and roast it over an open campfire.  Delicious, magical things. Campfire Roasted Strawberries So here’s the story.  I was browsing Pinterest and came along this photo for Toasted Marshmallows.  Only a photo, no recipe or link or anything else.  It was a strawberry, coated in marshmallow, and gently browned over a… - [German Oven Pancake](https://oregonoutdoorfamily.com/german-oven-pancake/): Enjoying a hot breakfast while camping always starts our day off right.  And this recipe for a German Oven Pancake is surprisingly easy to make on a camping trip. I got tired of the same old camping breakfasts, and so on a recent camping trip I took along a recipe card for German Oven Pancakes.  I’ve never even had German Oven Pancakes, so I had no idea what to expect.  But it seemed easy, and doable. How I made German Oven Pancakes on a camping trip Before we left, I mixed the ingredients and put them into a ziplock bag. … - [What does a red line from a bee sting look like? Our story of allergy and infection.](https://oregonoutdoorfamily.com/bee-stings-allergy-infection/): When a doctor says “Look for a red line from a bee sting” what exactly does that look like? My son, Colby, recently got stung by a bee.  He’s been stung before, but this one was different.  His hand swelled incredibly, and when I called our pediatrician’s nurse advice line, they warned about a red line going up the arm that would indicate infection.  Hours later, I wondered “Is that a line?”  I hit up Google images but couldn’t find anything that showed photos and gave an outcome (I found photos of lines, of other people asking, “Is this a… - [Timber Butte Lookout - Wake up to the best sunrise of your life](https://oregonoutdoorfamily.com/timber-butte-lookout-forest-service/): We’ve fallen in love with renting Forest Service cabins…old guard shacks and lookouts that are no longer used in an official capacity and are now in their Recreational Rental program.  Most of the cabins are very rustic, often very remote, and almost completely without amenities.  But there’s a certain charm to them that makes staying in one a lot of fun. You can reserve a cabin via Recreation.gov six months in advance.  In February, I started eyeballing dates and researching cabins and lookouts.  We liked the look of Timber Butte Lookout and it was close to home.  I picked out… - [Slick Creek Cave Trail at Fall Creek](https://oregonoutdoorfamily.com/slick-creek-cave/): During a camping trip at a nearby campground, we took a short day hike to Slick Creek Cave.  Slick Creek Cave is a small cave and is an easy hike from Bedrock Campground. Getting to Slick Creek Cave There are several ways to reach Slick Creek Cave, but the only route I’ve ever taken is the one described here.  It’s a safe route, even for fairly young hikers, and it’s mostly level. Park in the Bedrock Day Use area near Bedrock Campground.  Access the trail through the campground near site #7.  The first part of the trail is pretty overgrown, obviously… - [CLOSED Puma Campground - Forest Service](https://oregonoutdoorfamily.com/puma-campground/): Puma Campground is currently closed due to the Bedrock Fire in 2023.   Our family loves the Fall Creek area near Springfield, Oregon. A beautiful creek that winds up into the forest for miles, packed with swimming holes, picnic areas, hiking trails, and more. There are several campgrounds, but since it’s only 40 minutes from our house, we never stayed overnight. Until now. There’s a particular part of the creek that we’ve come to love, and the access is through Puma Campground. So this year, we thought, why not go up and stay for a few days? Puma Campground near Fall… - [Collect Obsidian at Glass Butte, Oregon](https://oregonoutdoorfamily.com/obsidian-glass-buttes-oregon/): A road paved with glass. That’s how I think of Glass Butte, Oregon, now that we’ve been there.  The road sparkled in the sunlight and the glass crunched under our feet.  It was magical, in a way. As we blossomed into rockhounds, collecting obsidian became an obvious prize.  We wanted to collect it ourselves, and in Oregon there’s only one legal spot to go: Glass Butte. How to Get to Glass Butte, Oregon Drive through Bend and as you approach milepost 77 on Hwy 20, this is your first view of Glass Butte, Oregon.  It’s just as remote as it… - [Horse Rock Ridge trail - Marcola, Oregon](https://oregonoutdoorfamily.com/horse-rock-ridge-trail/): Horse Rock Ridge trail has called to me for years.  Recently, I cleaned my desk and found an old newspaper.  It’s dated July 2011, so I’ve saved it for a while.  The feature article was by William Sullivan, one of Oregon’s premier outdoor writers.  The article was about a nearby hiking trail at Horse Rock Ridge.  It fascinated me at the time, and I wanted to go. Fast forward 5 years and a couple more kids.  I reread the article and was again fascinated.  I still wanted to go.  And so, on an unseasonably warm Sunday in April, we went.… - [Golden, Oregon - a ghost town](https://oregonoutdoorfamily.com/golden-oregon-a-ghost-town/): Golden, Oregon, was a mining town in the 1890s, near the Coyote Creek in Oregon.  During its heyday, it boasted 150 residents, 2 churches, a mercantile and post office, and most notable, no saloons.  Within 20 years, the mine was tapped out and today, Golden, Oregon, is a ghost town. During our trip to Wolf Creek Campground, we had plenty of time to explore.  We saw signs for Golden: it was just 3 miles away.  Our daughter had a bucket list of things to do and visiting a ghost town is on it.  Clearly, we had no choice but to… - [Wolf Creek Park Campground - Josephine County, Oregon](https://oregonoutdoorfamily.com/wolf-creek-campground-josephine-county-oregon/): During a blisteringly hot stretch in July, we had a crazy idea to take our 5 kids gold panning in Southern Oregon.  We left the verdant coolness of the Willamette Valley and headed deeper into the hottest heat spell Oregon’s had in years.  Gold panning can be productive in the Wolf Creek area of Josephine County, so we booked two nights at Wolf Creek Campground, camping near Wolf Creek Inn. Wolf Creek Inn When we first drove through the town of Wolf Creek, we immediately noticed the old Wolf Creek Inn.  It was closed for renovations so we couldn’t go… - [Box Canyon Guard Station - Forest Service](https://oregonoutdoorfamily.com/box-canyon-guard-station-forest-service/): We wanted an adventure close to Eugene, so we booked two nights in the Forest Service’s Box Canyon Guard Station on the Auferheide Memorial Drive.  The photos online looked nice, but otherwise we didn’t know what to expect.  Happily, the cabin exceeded every expectation. Travel to Box Canyon We prefer mid-week stays so we chose Tuesday through Thursday.  We left Springfield, Oregon, and headed up Highway 58 toward Westfir.  Turning left at Westfir, we stopped for a quick break and a look at the Office Covered Bridge (Oregon’s longest covered bridge currently standing). After a brief stop, we headed up… - [Fossil Collecting in Oregon - Fossil, Oregon](https://oregonoutdoorfamily.com/fossil-oregon/): As we got more into rock hounding in Oregon, one adventure on our to-do list was fossil collecting in Fossil, Oregon.  Collecting fossils is often a sticky legal situation, but in Fossil, Oregon, it’s legal to collect and keep whatever you find. Oregon’s Varied Landscape We set out on a rainy day in March from our home in the Willamette Valley.  The drive to Fossil is a long one, but we were enamored with all the scenery.  Oregon really does have an amazingly varied landscape.  As we passed out of the valley and into central Oregon, we drove through Douglas fir… - [Oregon Thundereggs - Richardson Rock Ranch, Madras, Oregon](https://oregonoutdoorfamily.com/thundereggs/): If you like rocks–even a tiny bit–then you have to shop for thundereggs with your kids.  The best place in Oregon to buy thundereggs is at Richardson’s Rock Ranch near Madras, Oregon.  Getting there is easy and the prices are reasonable. NOTE:  As of 2019, digging is closed at Richardson Ranch.  Their excellent rock shop is open, showcasing thundereggs and rocks from around the world.   Thundereggs are Oregon’s state rock.  They form from mud balls that, over time, filled with layers of agate.  Colors vary widely and they can sometimes contain crystals.  We saw a few pictures online and we… - [Ape Cave and the Trail of Two Forests - Forest Service](https://oregonoutdoorfamily.com/ape-cave-and-the-trail-of-two-forests-forest-service/): We’ve had the Ape Cave on our list for several years, but we kept waiting for our kids to get older.  It seemed like we always had a baby around, though, so finally we just went. Ape Cave isn’t in Oregon, but it’s close enough for a day trip or overnight.  It’s located on the backside of Mt St Helen; the nearest town is Cougar, Washington.  We stayed in a hotel and drove up the mountainside in the morning. Ape Cave A $5 day pass is required.  You can buy one in Cougar or at the Ape Headquarters.  We used… - [Drake Peak Lookout - Forest Service](https://oregonoutdoorfamily.com/drake-peak-lookout-forest-service/): Drake Peak Lookout is seated high in the Warner Mountain Range at an elevation of 8,222 feet.  Perched on the end of a ridge, it has nearly 360-degree views and you can take full advantage from the comfort of your bed with windows on every side of the cabin.  Built in 1948 as part of a fire suppression system, the fire lookout is no longer used officially and is now available as a rentable cabin through the Forest Service. While we were at Aspen Cabin, we drove up to nearby Drake Peak Lookout for a look around.  If you’re interested… - [Oregon Sunstones - gems you can collect for free](https://oregonoutdoorfamily.com/oregon-sunstones-blm/): Gemstones litter the ground, glistening in the sunlight, sparkling into the distance as far as you can see.  Oregon Sunstones are Oregon’s state gemstone, and if you’re willing to drive (and drive and drive), they’re free for the taking. Our family traveled to the middle of nowhere to hunt for Oregon’s gemstone: the Oregon Sunstone.  We drove 7-8 hours from our home in the Willamette valley with our 3 kids, ages 8, 3, and 4 months.  It was an epic trip, the first of its kind for our family. Free Oregon Sunstone Collection Site On the day we wanted to… - [Aspen Cabin - Forest Service](https://oregonoutdoorfamily.com/aspen-cabin-forest-service/): It all started with Aspen Cabin. We loved camping, but we had a newborn.  I needed something more than a tent and I’d heard that the Forest Service sometimes rented historic cabins.  We also had a crazy idea to take our 3 kids (including our newborn) into the desert to hunt for Oregon sunstones.  Less than an hour from the sunstones was Aspen Cabin.  We rented it, and thus started a journey that led to many more adventures and this blog. Our family of five stayed two nights in Aspen Cabin, a Forest Service fire guard station built in the… ## Pages - [Slick Creek Cave Interpretive Signs](https://oregonoutdoorfamily.com/slick-creek-cave-interpretive-signs/): These interpretive signs were posted near the Slick Creek Cave. Sadly, both were destroyed in the 2017 Jones Fire. My photos are from July 2016. I am posting transcripts of what they used to say. Summers in the Ancient Forest: Prehistoric Visitors from the Valley Just like you, Kalapuya Indians from the Willamette Valley came to Fall Creek in the summer to fish, hunt, and enjoy its natural beauty. Archaeological research indicates that Indians have used this area for at least 6000 years. Unfortunately, they are still a mystery to us. Before immigrants settled in the Willamette Valley, the Kalapuya… - [My account](https://oregonoutdoorfamily.com/my-account/) - [Checkout](https://oregonoutdoorfamily.com/checkout/) - [Cart](https://oregonoutdoorfamily.com/cart/) - [Shop](https://oregonoutdoorfamily.com/shop/): Why should you buy our stuff? Well, it’s super cool, and super great quality, of course.  But it also helps support our family day to day.  It’s like a tradeoff, we tell you all the best places to take your kids, and maybe you buy a sticker or two.  Either way, thanks for checking it out! - [About Us](https://oregonoutdoorfamily.com/about-us/): Our family loves Oregon and exploring its unique features is one of our favorite things to do.  We have 3 biological children, and we are also a foster family for babies.  And if that’s not enough, we sometimes bring our kids’ friends along on trips for extra craziness!  No matter who we have along, we pack everyone up and take them on fun adventures throughout Oregon.  Rock hounding, caving, camping, hiking, and more, we’re game to try just about anything if it looks like fun.  Preparation and planning are the key to adventuring with young children.  We do a lot… - [Recipes](https://oregonoutdoorfamily.com/recipes/):   When we go camping with our kids, I like to cook hearty meals and, since we don’t have a camp stove, this takes some forethought and ingenuity.  It also takes a lot of trial and error with recipes.  Many of my recipes and ideas I find online, I will fully credit the author or source whenever possible. Breakfast Ideas: Campfire Cinnamon Rolls German Oven Pancakes   Snacks: Roasted Strawberries   Dinner Ideas: Baked Potato Bar Chicken & Broccoli Alfredo - [Contact Us](https://oregonoutdoorfamily.com/contact-us/): We welcome your comments, feedback, and questions!  Feel free to use the contact form below to send us an email. Our family would love to work with your brand, as well.  Whether you’re a writer looking for backlinks or collaboration, or if you have a product that is useful for families exploring outdoors, let me know!   - [Our Gear](https://oregonoutdoorfamily.com/our-gear/): Interested in what gear we’re using during our adventures?  We’re not gear experts, nor is our gear usually fancy, but we’ve found some things that work for our family.  Maybe they’ll work for you, too! Soft Structured Carrier (SSC)  We have several SSCs: an original Ergo*, a standard Tula, and a toddler Tula.  I like them all pretty equally, and use which one is best for the situation (or which one happens to be in the van).     Internal Frame Child Carrier We’ve always loved hiking, and I’ve always worn our little ones in the above Ergo or Tula. … ## Products - [50 Hikes with Kids: Oregon and Washington](https://oregonoutdoorfamily.com/product/50-hikes-with-kids-oregon-and-washington/): We bought this guide and it's been a great introduction to new hikes in Oregon.  I love how this book includes fun ideas for kids, like a scavenger hunt for every single hike. Thirty-two of the hikes are in Oregon, with the rest in Washington.  All hikes are under 4 miles on easy to moderate trails. Also included are family "must know" details like bathroom information, places to grab a snack, and maps with intuitive directions. [comment]: # (Generated by Hostinger Tools Plugin)