🌤 Weather at Mary S. Young State Recreation Area by season
| Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40–71 °F | 53–84 °F | 40–78 °F | 36–52 °F |
Each range runs from the coldest monthly average low to the warmest monthly average high in that season (1991-2020 climate normals), measured at Oregon City, 3 mi away, elevation 167 ft. Conditions at the park can differ from the station, especially where elevation differs — check a forecast before you go.
🏆 128-acre forested park along the Willamette River in West Linn — old-growth Douglas fir and big-leaf maple with 4 miles of trails just 15 minutes from downtown Portland.
Visitor Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Clackamas County, Oregon |
| Entry Fee | Free (Oregon Coast) / Day-Use Permit |
About Mary S. Young
Mary S. Young State Recreation Area is an urban nature oasis along the Willamette River in West Linn, just south of Portland. The 160-acre park preserves one of the last significant stands of old-growth Douglas fir forest in the Portland metro area. Donated by Mary S. Young in 1941, the park offers a surprising wilderness experience within minutes of suburban shopping centers.
Mary S. Young State Recreation Area in West Linn provides 128 acres of forested parkland along the Willamette River within the Portland metropolitan area. The park preserves a significant tract of Douglas fir and bigleaf maple forest with trails leading to river access. Bald eagles nest in the tall firs along the river.
Things to Do
The park has several miles of hiking trails winding through old-growth and second-growth forest, with access to the Willamette River shoreline. Birdwatching is excellent — the old-growth trees attract pileated woodpeckers, great horned owls, and bald eagles. A disc golf course winds through the forest. The riverside area offers fishing access for spring chinook salmon and summer steelhead. Dogs are welcome on leash.
Hiking through the forested trails, birdwatching for bald eagles and ospreys, fishing in the Willamette River, disc golf, picnicking, and enjoying a wild forest park within Portland’s metro area.
Getting There
Located at 19900 Willamette Drive (Highway 43) in West Linn, approximately 10 miles south of downtown Portland. Free to visit — no day-use fees.
Insider Tips
Urban nature: Mary S. Young offers 160 acres of old-growth Douglas fir forest inside the Portland metro — one of the last remaining old-growth stands in the urban area. Pro tip: The trail to the Willamette River bluff offers views of Mount Hood on clear days. Birding: The old-growth attracts pileated woodpeckers — look for rectangular feeding excavations in dead trees.
Best Time to Visit
Spring: Trilliums carpet the forest floor. Fall: Big-leaf maple turns golden. Summer: Cool forest shade. Winter: Quiet birding — owls are more vocal in winter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there old-growth forest in Portland?
Yes — a few small stands survive, including Mary S. Young and Forest Park’s Balch Creek area. These urban old-growth fragments are irreplaceable — the 200-500 year old trees support species (pileated woodpeckers, flying squirrels, red tree voles) that cannot survive in younger forests.
Wildlife & Nature
Mary S. Young State Recreation Area — 128 acres of forested bluffs and trails overlooking the Willamette River — provides nature access within the Portland metropolitan area. The park’s second-growth Douglas fir and bigleaf maple forest demonstrates how quickly Pacific Northwest forests can recover from logging. The park supports populations of pileated woodpeckers, Cooper’s hawks, and great horned owls — large predators that have adapted to suburban-adjacent forest fragments. Native wildflowers — including trillium, bleeding heart, and Oregon grape (the state flower) — carpet the forest floor in spring. The Willamette River through this section supports spring Chinook salmon runs returning to upstream spawning grounds. River otters are occasionally seen from the bluff trails.
Nearby Attractions
West Linn offers Willamette Falls — the second-largest waterfall by volume in the US (after Niagara). Oregon City — the “End of the Oregon Trail” — has a free Municipal Elevator connecting upper and lower towns. Camassia Natural Area (The Nature Conservancy) preserves camas meadows. Maddax Woods provides old-growth forest hiking. Lake Oswego offers shopping and dining. Portland — 10 miles north — has world-class food, craft beer, and cultural attractions. Tryon Creek State Natural Area in Portland provides urban forest walking.
More parks in Oregon: Tryon Creek State Park and Molalla River State Park. See the full Oregon state parks guide.
🐾 Dogs & Pets at Mary S. Young State Recreation Area
- Pets allowed? statewide rule
- Pets are welcome in Oregon state parks and on most ocean beaches but must be leashed except in designated off-leash areas.
- Leash rule statewide rule
- Leash no longer than 6 feet required in developed park areas
- Beaches & swim areas statewide rule
- Pets are allowed on most ocean beaches under direct control; western snowy plover nesting areas restrict pets March 15 - Sept. 15; leash required on the beach at some parks (e.g. Cape Lookout)
- Cabins & lodging statewide rule
- Designated pet-friendly yurts and cabins at many parks (South Beach has 14 pet-friendly yurts, Tugman 8); maximum two dogs and/or cats; $10 per night pet fee
- Pet fees statewide rule
- $10 per night for pet-friendly yurts/cabins; no pet fee for day use or campsites
- Statewide exceptions statewide rule
- Pets prohibited at Dabney SRA, the Trail of Ten Falls at Silver Falls, and Shore Acres; off-leash areas at Stub Stewart, Willamette Mission, Elijah Bristow, Cottonwood Canyon and LaPine
Are dogs allowed at Mary S. Young State Recreation Area?
Pets are welcome in Oregon state parks and on most ocean beaches but must be leashed except in designated off-leash areas. Individual parks can post stricter rules — check signage on arrival.
Rules verified July 2026 via stateparks.oregon.gov. More: Oregon state parks guide · Dog rules in all 50 states compared
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