#5: Skinner Butte Park
Skinner Butte Park is located just north of downtown Eugene and stretches along the Willamette River with 100 acres of property to explore. The park is about a 10 minute drive from the University of Oregon campus and has plenty of easy and short hiking trails scattered throughout the park. The northside trails can be hiked in 30 to 45 minutes, and the main one mile hike will take you to the top of the butte for a scenic view of the valley. The park also includes ball fields, a community garden, fishing and an abandoned quarry that has been used for rock climbing since the 1970s.
#4: Mount Pisgah Arboretum
Just a 12 minute drive past the eastside of UO’s campus is Mt. Pisgah Arboretum, with over seven miles of trails. Throughout these trails you will find dynamic and interactive exhibits about the ecology of the Southern Willamette Valley. The Arboretum also offers nature education programs, guided nature walks, workshops and annual festivals. The Mt. Pisgah trails consist of three main loops classified by three levels of difficulty for all types of hikers. The Universal Access Loop, starting at the Riverbank Trail head, is an easy-moderate loop with level elevation around a mile with multiple resting spots. The more moderate hike, the “Barrier Free” Loop, has gradual slopes and a slight elevation gain of 80 feet around the creek area. For more experienced hikers, the Tried-and-True Loop is great for all seasons with 200 feet elevation gain along 1.5 miles of trails.
#3: Terwilliger Hot Springs (Cougar Hot Springs)
Terwilliger Hot Springs is located a bit further out, an hour drive out of Eugene into the Willamette National Forest, but it’s worth the drive for the end destination. The quarter mile hike is a generally low gradient trail with a spectacular view of the Cougar Reservoir and the McKenzie River. At the end of the short hike there are six natural hot springs that feed from a cave source above the tiered pools. Four of the six pools are permitted to be swam in and the temperatures can range from 85 degrees fahrenheit to 112 degrees fahrenheit. There are also numerous smaller trails to walk along once you have reached the hot springs. Clothing is also optional at the hot springs so be aware of that before you plan your visit.
#2: Silver Falls State Park
Possibly one the most breathtaking parks within the Oregon State Park system is the Silver Falls State Park. Located an hour and a half drive away toward Salem, the park is open year round and consists of 10 beautiful waterfalls, five of them over 100 feet high. To see all of the magnificent waterfalls, including one you can walk under, it’s a longer hike of 7.2 miles with an elevation gain of 800 feet as well. For a shorter hike, there are plenty of side trails that shortcut back to the trail heads and parking lot, making the loop 5.1 miles. For a full day trip of hiking and witnessing magnificent views of waterfalls and dense forest, this is a must see.
#1: Spencer Butte Park
The last hike, Spencer Butte, is only 12 minutes south of UO campus. For decades, the butte has been a regional landmark with as many as 300 people per day visiting the park to climb to the top. The summit is approximately 2,058 feet with a main gradual incline path bringing you there through a 1.6 mile hike that takes on average an hour to complete. Alternatively, the West Trail provides experienced hikers a more difficult route to the summit. At the top, there is an incredible view of the Cascade Mountain Range, the Coast Range, Willamette Valley and a perfect view of Autzen Stadium. If there is one hike all students should go on, this is the one.
