reported by Elliot McIntire

Canamah Park is one of the least known local parks, and is located atop the bluff just upstream from downtown Oregon City. (It can be easily reached by turning up the hill at 10th Street, and, at the top of the hill, make a right turn onto High Street, Just follow it west to the park). There is a developed portion with restroom, children’s play area, picnic tables, etc., but then there is a network of trails through a natural area with spectacular views of the Willamette River, the falls, and across to West Linn on the other side of the river.

The bluff is composed of 15 million year old basalts, overlain by the 2 million year old Boring lava flows. The route along the top of the bluff was the main portage route around the falls until mid-19th century.

The trails lead to the Canemah Pioneer Cemetery (usually gated and locked) which has the graves of many Oregon pioneers. The trails wind through oak savannas and a forest of Douglas fir, grand fir, red alder, and big-leaf maple.

The park seems to be widely ignored, and, beyond the picnic/playground area I have never encountered more than a handful of people.

Website: https://www.oregonmetro.gov/parks/canemah-bluff-nature-park