Graham Oaks Nature Park: exploring restored oak woodlands
Graham Oaks Nature Park is a restored oak woodland in Wilsonville, Oregon. Beautiful natural setting, ideal for riding your bike, having a peaceful walk, or picnic.
We were finally visiting Graham Oaks, Nature Park! I had this place on my bucket list for years, since I saw a photo of the Elder Oak, a 150 – 200-year-old Oregon white oak, you can enjoy there.
I love trees in general; however, I feel so connected with Oak trees. It’s like I am at home every time I’m close to them, especially the old and majestic ones like the Elder Oak. Just that experience made this visit so extraordinary.
What to see and do
Graham Oaks is 250 acres Nature Park, located in Wilsonville that was planned to be a landfill; however, luckily for us, this land was restored and preserved.
It’s another local destination waiting to be explored, riding a bike or walking through the restored oak woodland, or strolling through a conifer forest.
And besides hiking, biking, or running in the trails, you can also enjoy wildlife watching.
The trail system is about three miles long and includes accessible paved and gravel paths. In particular, during our visit, my daughter was riding her bike, so we stayed only in the Ice Age Tonquin Trail.
Still, while we were exploring this trail, we stopped in some places to see features like the Elder Oak, wetland viewpoints or learning about the history of this area, reading the interpretive signs.
Elder Oak Plaza
Additionally, for picnicking or having a snack break (an essential stop while hiking with kids), you can find benches along the trails and a picnic shelter near the trailhead.
And in case you want to extend the walk or ride a little bit more, after finishing the Ice Age Tonquin Trail, you can turn left and continue to Palermo and Sofia Park. Those places include features such as picnic tables, open fields, water fountains, and playground structures.
Find out even more hiking ideas here!
Plan your trip
Main features/Amenities
- Three miles of trails (Walk, jog or ride your bike on the accessible Ice Age Tonquin Trail).
- Picnic Shelter (closed nowadays)
- Interpretive signs through the park.
- Parking area (No Fees).
- Restrooms in the parking Area (closed but portable ones are available)
- A Six-bicycle parking structure at the entrance.
Important information and tips
- Website.
- The park is open from 6:30 a.m. to legal sunset.
- Pets are allowed only on Ice Age Tonquin Trail (on leash).
- Bikes are allowed only in the Ice Age Tonquin Trail.
- Much of the park is wheelchair accessible.
- It’s also stroller-friendly.
- Geocaching is allowed.
- Sofia Park playground is closed due to social distancing rules.