Oregon is chock full of gorgeous trails to hike and explore, but finding one that's family friendly or accessible can be difficult. There's one pretty and accessible spot that's often overlooked as people travel up to Mount Hood. The Wildwood Recreation Area has two accessible trails, picnic areas, and an underwater fish viewing area, not to mention gorgeous views of the Salmon River and old growth forest! And the best part? Wildwood is just 30 minutes outside of Gresham.
The Wildwood Recreation Area Near Welches Oregon
A lot of people prefer to head out hiking for the weekend within an hour of where they live.
If you're in the Portland Metro area, that makes the Wildwood Recreation Area a perfect place to get away since it's about an hour drive from Portland, or thirty minutes from Gresham.
This quiet little spot on the Mount Hood Scenic Byway is often overlooked by crowds heading to more popular hiking trails in the Mount Hood National Forest, though it shouldn't be.
Two family friendly and accessible trails are available at Wildwood, as well as a longer, more challenging hike for experts seeking a wilderness adventure.
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This 550 acre forested site is also a great spot to just sit and relax with family and friends for the day as there are picnic units, outdoor picnic kitchens, basketball and volleyball courts, fire rings, group shelters, grills and flush toilets on site.
Visitors enjoy exploring the densely vegetated forest with old-growth Douglas fir, western hemlock, and western red cedar, as well as checking out the scenic views up and down the Salmon River.
Hiking At Wildwood Recreation Area
Cascade Stream Watch Trail (Accessible)
This accessible trail is family friendly and is the most popular option for a fun, educational walk in the area. Visitors will take a walk down a paved three quarter mile loop that is lined with educational displays.
There are great river views on this trail, and an exciting underwater fish viewing window!
Kids and adults alike love to get a look under the water and check out fish as they swim by in their natural habitat.
Wetlands Trail (Accessible)
For a trail full of pretty views, check out the Wetlands Trail. This trail is a three quarter mile loop that leads to the Boulder Ridge Trail.
One of the cool things about this trail is that most of it is a boardwalk that zigzags it's way through a gorgeous wetland. There are great bird viewing opportunities here, as well as a ghost forest, and a cattail marsh where you might catch sight of a beaver dam. If you head out to hike this trail in the early spring, you should see a big patch of skunk cabbage in bloom!
Boulder Ridge Trail
This trail is for experienced hikers that want to get out into the Salmon-Huckleberry Wilderness and explore the steep slopes of Huckleberry Mountain. Boulder Ridge Trail is 4.7 miles and has a 2600 foot elevation gain. The trail leads up to a ridge where hikers are rewarded with views of Mount Hood and the Salmon River Valley. The trail ends at the junction with the Plaza Trail #738 which offers further opportunities for hiking.
Wildwood Recreation Area Information
- Location: 65670 E Highway 26 in Welches, Oregon
- Park Passes: You can purchase your passes online here (they must be printed out), or you can buy a pass at the park entrance with a credit card. No cash or checks are accepted.
- Hours: Open from 8 AM to half an hour before sunset year round.
- Get more information about Wildwood Recreation Site here.
We think you'll also enjoy reading our Travel Guide To Mount Hood, as well as our guide to Little Crater Lake which is near Mount Hood. You may also enjoy checking out this cabin with pretty views of Hood.
