Outdoors
National forests, parks, lakes and recreation areas with hiking trails near Hillsboro, closest first.
Good to know: Carry more water than you think you need, check the managing agency’s page for trail closures and fire restrictions, and start early on hot days.
11 mi southeast · Fish and Wildlife Service
After increased agricultural development in the Tualatin River valley, many local residents in the late 1980s recognized the importance of conserving green space for future generations.
15 mi west · Bureau of Reclamation
Henry Hagg Lake was formed by the construction of Scoggins Dam which is a major facility of the Tualatin Project . The lake has a capacity of nearly 60,000 acre-feet of water and a surface area of 1,113 acres.
31 mi east · Bureau of Land Management
The Sandy River originates in the high glaciers of Mt. Hood, the most prominent peak in Oregon's Cascade Mountains.
Map of 24 places loads as you scroll.
After increased agricultural development in the Tualatin River valley, many local residents in the late 1980s recognized the importance of conserving green space for future generations.
Henry Hagg Lake was formed by the construction of Scoggins Dam which is a major facility of the Tualatin Project . The lake has a capacity of nearly 60,000 acre-feet of water and a surface area of 1,113 acres.
The Sandy River originates in the high glaciers of Mt. Hood, the most prominent peak in Oregon's Cascade Mountains.
Want to go camping? Camping season is generally May-October. Reserve a site at one of our four campgrounds on recreation.gov or pay when you arrive for non-reserved campsites using the Recreation.gov Mobile App .
Enjoy a scenic drive along the Molalla River, which offers easy river access and opportunities for picnicking, swimming, camping, whitewater boating and fishing.
Nestled on the banks of the Nestucca River, Rocky Bend Group Campground is ideal for family gatherings and group events. The site is located on Upper Nestucca River Road 16 miles east of Beaver, Oregon.
Sunset Campground is located in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Visitors enjoy scenic views of the river and a waterfall within the campground. The campground is open all year.
No cash, check, or cards are accepted on site. Make a reservations online or use the mobile app. Three Bears campsites are only available by making a reservation.
The Clackamas River is located to the west of the Cascade Range and to the south of the Columbia River Gorge in northern Oregon.
The South Fork of the Clackamas River is a tributary of the Clackamas River on the western slope of the Cascade Range in northwest Oregon.
Aquila Vista is available for overnight group camping for groups up to 20 people and 8 vehicles. The opening date for 2026 is June 26.
Located outside the City of Dallas, just off of Highway 99 and Highway 22, Baskett Slough offers unique wildlife viewing opportunities for the whole family!
Armstrong Campground is a small but beautiful place to camp, right on the edge of the Clackamas Wild and Scenic River.
Hebo Lake Campground is ideal for those wanting a secluded, quiet camping getaway in the forest. Located on Mt.
The United States Congress designated the Table Rock Wilderness in 1984 and it now has over 5,786 acres. All of this wilderness is located in Oregon and is managed by the Bureau of Land Management.
Wildwood Recreation Site is open year-round but may close due to vehicle access during severe weather. Check status during severe weather events by calling 503-375-5646.
Located in the Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area 40 miles east of Portland, Oregon, and Vancouver, Washington, Bonneville Lock and Dam spans the Columbia and links the two states. The U.S.
Old-growth forest surrounded by a tumultuous ocean set the primeval scene at Cape Meares. Its cliffs support five species of nesting seabirds and a pair of Peregrine Falcons, a species recovered from the brink of extinction.
Located near the confluence of the Santiam and Willamette Rivers, just off of Interstate 5, Ankeny offers unique wildlife viewing opportunities for the whole family!
Julia Butler Hansen Refuge was established in 1971 specifically to protect and manage the then endangered Columbian white-tailed deer.
At 1,202 acres, Nestucca Bay Refuge is the largest of the six Oregon Coastal Refuges.
Elkhorn Creek is a unique, pristine, low-elevation setting, with limited access, providing a landscape with few signs of human disturbance or activity.
Some of the largest Douglas firs and Western Hemlocks in the Oregon Coast Range can be found in the Bureau of Land Management’s Valley of the Giants.
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Distances are straight-line miles from downtown Hillsboro. Listings come from Recreation.gov’s federal recreation database; check each official page for hours, fees, fire restrictions and closures before you go.
A WALK AROUND TOWN
A recorded walk through Orenco Station and downtown Hillsboro, showing neighborhood streets and civic surroundings.
Watch on YouTube ↗
A WALK AROUND TOWN
A creator-led walk around the Streets of Tanasbourne shopping area in Hillsboro.
Watch on YouTube ↗Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge (Fish and Wildlife Service), about 11 miles southeast of Hillsboro as the crow flies. Next are Henry Hagg Lake (15 mi) and Sandy Wild and Scenic River (31 mi).
Based on Hillsboro’s average highs, September–June. Conditions at higher elevations can be much cooler.
Federal agencies including Bureau of Land Management, Fish and Wildlife Service, USDA Forest Service. Each listing links to its official page for hours, fees, closures and current conditions.