🌤 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, 2 mi away, elevation 167 ft. Conditions at the park can differ from the station, especially where elevation differs — check a forecast before you go.
🏆 About 128 acres of forest along the Willamette River in West Linn, with 5 to 8 miles of trails, sports fields and an off-leash dog area.
Visitor Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Clackamas County, Oregon |
| Entry Fee | Free (City of West Linn park) |
About Mary S. Young
Mary S. Young State Recreation Area, today the City of West Linn’s Mary S. Young Park, is an urban nature oasis along the Willamette River in West Linn, just south of Portland. The City of West Linn describes it as a quiet, forested park of about 128 acres and a favorite of urban birders, with enough trails that it is easy to forget you are in a city.
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 5 to 8 miles of trails through the forest, with access to the Willamette River shoreline. Birdwatching is popular, and the city calls the park a favorite of urban birders. You also find sports fields, a reservable picnic shelter, a restroom and an area where dogs can run off leash.
Hiking the forest trails, birdwatching, fishing from the Willamette River shore, picnicking, and letting your dog run in the off-leash 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 forest: Mary S. Young offers about 128 acres of forest inside the Portland metro area. Dogs: The city lists an off-leash dog area. Birding: Pileated woodpeckers leave rectangular feeding holes in dead trees, so look for them on snags.
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
Can dogs run off leash at Mary S. Young Park?
Yes, in the designated off-leash area, which the City of West Linn lists among the park’s facilities (as of October 2026). Elsewhere in the park, follow the posted city rules.
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.
Park Map
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