Tryon Creek
State Natural Area

Near Portland, Oregon, United States

Imagine stepping into a lush forest where woodpeckers forage, squirrels leap from limb to limb, owlets wait quietly for their next meal, and wildflowers paint the understory as the seasons change. Discover it all at Tryon Creek State Natural Area, your oasis in the city. Here you can explore 658 acres of second-growth forests, walk along the meandering Tryon Creek, and connect with the flora and fauna that call this special place home

Located about 15 minutes from downtown Portland, Tryon Creek is Oregon's only state park within a major metropolitan area. What will you explore today?

Hiking Trails

The park features 8 miles of hiking trails, 8 bridges and a boardwalk over a wetland. Bring along our Tryon Creek Checklist of Vascular Plants and see what you can identify!

The 0.3 mile fully paved Trillium Trail is 6-feet wide with a slope up to 3.2%. Resting benches and turnaround areas located along the trail. There are occasional bumps caused by roots that affect the trail surface. See images of the trail surface in the photo carousel at the bottom of this page.

Park trails are maintained for year-round hiking. Hiking trails in the park can be muddy during wet weather.

Horse Trails

The park boasts 3.5 miles of packed gravel trails for equestrians. Trails travel along ridgeline, then down to the creek and back. From the equestrian parking area, the North Horse Loop is 2.1 miles and the West Horse Loop is 3.1 miles.

Bicycle Path

The 3-mile paved bicycle path parallels Terwilliger Boulevard on the east edge of the park, from Boones Ferry Road to State Street (Oregon Highway 43) in Lake Oswego. It is part of the Portland metropolitan area bikeway system 40-mile loop.

Programming and More

Tryon Creek hosts educational programs and guided hikes throughout the year. Contact the park to schedule a school field trip.

Visitors can obtain park information, purchase gifts and enjoy interpretive exhibits and programs at the Nature Center and nearby Glenn Jackson Shelter. The park hosts educational programs and guided hikes throughout the hear. Check the event calendar for a schedule.

 
 
The park is supported by a partnership with the Friends of Tryon Creek
 

Tryon Creek State Natural Area from Access Recreation on Vimeo.

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mdi-alert-outline General Advisory
mdi-white-balance-sunny Open for day use year round mdi-cellphone Call for info: 800-551-6949
Call park: 503-636-9886
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Amenities & Features

Questions

mdi-help-circle-outline General

What are the park hours for Tryon Creek State Natural Area?

Park Hours

November - February: 7 a.m. - 6 p.m.

March: 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.

April: 7 a.m. - 8 p.m.

May - August: 7 a.m. - 9 p.m.

September: 7 a.m. - 8 p.m.

October: 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.

When is the Nature Center open?

The Nature Center at Tryon Creek State Natural Center is open daily from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

mdi-help-circle-outline Day use/Special Events

Can I have an event at the Jackson Shelter?

Due to our designation as a natural area, limited staff availability and parking, we do not permit events at the Jackson Shelter. An exception would be events or meetings put on by Oregon Parks and Recreation Department or the Friends of Tryon Creek. These events and meetings are for the increased enjoyment and education of park visitors and to further management efforts for the park. Currently, the shelter serves as a beautiful viewpoint and as a shelter from the elements for all visitors to enjoy.

While we do not have a designated area for visitors to reserve, we are happy to suggest the following nearby parks with event space:

  • Mary S. Young Park is managed by West Linn Parks and Recreation. Phone: (503) 557-4700. This location has several picnic shelters and multiple parking lots.
  • Milo McIver State Park is managed by Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. Phone: (503) 630-7150. This location has five reservable picnic shelters.
  • Metro has multiple parks with reservable picnic areas and shelters. Phone: (503) 797-1700.
  • Portland Parks and Recreation has multuple parks with reservable picnic areas and shelters. Phone: (503) 823-2525.
For more questions, review our statewide FAQ

History

Land for the park was acquired between 1971 and 1988 by gifts from Multnomah County, Friends of Tryon Creek, Annette T. Kraft and John and Julie Des Camp, as well as by purchase from private owners. The park was obtained to provide a natural area typical of the Willamette Valley ecosystem within the Portland metropolitan area which would be available for public study and education. Tryon Creek is named for Dr. Socrates Hotchkiss Tryon, an Oregon settler of 1850, who settled a claim near Oswego on which the park land is located.

Brochures and Maps

mdi-file-pdf-box Tryon bird checklist mdi-file-pdf-box Tryon Creek Checklist of Vascular Plants mdi-file-pdf-box Tryon Creek Trail Guide mdi-file-pdf-box Tryon Creek Trail Map mdi-file-pdf-box Tryon wildlife checklist

Photos

Events

Tryon Creek State Natural Area

Next happening
Mar 22, 2024
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10 other sessions

Tryon Creek State Natural Area

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Mar 23, 2024
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8 other sessions

Tryon Creek State Natural Area

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Mar 24, 2024
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Tryon Creek State Natural Area

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Mar 28, 2024
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9 other sessions

Tryon Creek State Natural Area

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Apr 7, 2024
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Registration required

Tryon Creek State Natural Area

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Apr 21, 2024
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Tryon Creek State Natural Area

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May 5, 2024
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Tryon Creek State Natural Area

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May 19, 2024
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Tryon Creek State Natural Area

Next happening
Jun 9, 2024
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Tryon Creek State Natural Area

Next happening
Jun 23, 2024
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Registration required