Pets allowed
Allowed
Guided tours
No
Backcountry camping
No
Lodging
No
Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure here.

Located along the Middle Fork of the Willamette River, Elijah Bristow State Park has a wide variety of outdoor activity options to satisfy those looking for a chance to connect with nature. With 847 acres and 12 miles of trails, there is plenty of room for exploration. The meadows, woodlands, and waterways provide habitat for a variety of wildlife, so be sure to bring your binoculars. Birding and other wildlife viewing is around every turn. Keep an eye out for herons, eagles, osprey, beavers, and even pond turtles. 

The park is popular with equestrians, and on sunny days you can encounter many riders along the trails. A separate parking lot and equestrian staging area with a covered picnic shelter and vault toilet are just a few of the amenities located here. The trails are also used by mountain bikers. If you're hiking the trails, be sure to yield to the bikers and horseback riders. There are some trails specifically for hikers only, and these are well marked on signposts throughout the park. 

Water and river access is also available through the park trails, but there is no boat ramp. Kayakers and canoeists who wish to put in at this spot along the Willamette River can do so. Sections of the park are part of riparian restoration project. Interpretive signs communicate the important restoration efforts in this area. 

The group picnic sites are available to reserve through the Oregon State Parks and Recreation Department. The group sites in the main park area include picnic tables, fire pits, and barbecues (but no covered shelter). Other picnic areas are on a first-come, first-served basis and are located near the trailheads and off-leash area. 

Logistics + Planning

Preferable season(s)

Winter
Spring
Summer
Fall

Congestion

High

Parking Pass

Not Required

Pros

Lots of trails.

Cons

None.

Features

ADA accessible
Flushing toilets
Mountain biking
Bicycling
Potable water
Picnic tables
Off-leash dog area
Covered picnic areas
Fishing
Horseback riding
Bird watching
Wildlife

Location

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