Outdoors
Refuges, lakes and wild areas near Hillsboro for wildlife viewing and birdwatching.
Good to know: Early mornings and evenings are best for wildlife; bring binoculars and keep a respectful distance.
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 northeast · National Park Service
Located on the north bank of the Columbia River, in sight of snowy mountain peaks and a vibrant urban landscape, this park has a rich cultural past.
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.
Map of 27 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.
Located on the north bank of the Columbia River, in sight of snowy mountain peaks and a vibrant urban landscape, this park has a rich cultural past.
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.
Ridgefield NWR was established in 1965 to provide wintering habitat for the dusky subspecies of the Canada goose whose habitat is extremely limited.
Want to camp? Camping season is generally May-September, with Alder Glen and Elk Bend remaining open through the weekend following General Western Oregon Coast 2nd Season for elk.
Steigerwald Lake NWR was established in 1987 to offset lowland habitat loss caused by construction at the Bonneville dam.
Want to camp? Camping season is generally May-September, with Alder Glen and Elk Bend remaining open through the weekend following General Western Oregon Coast 2nd Season for elk.
Want to camp? Camping season is generally May-September, with Alder Glen and Elk Bend remaining open through the weekend following General Western Oregon Coast 2nd Season for elk.
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 .
Want to camp? Reserve your spot now! Camping season is generally May-September, with Alder Glen and Elk Bend remaining open through the weekend following General Western Oregon Coast 2nd Season for elk.
No cash, check, or cards are accepted on site. Make a reservations online or use the mobile app. Cedar Grove campsites are only available by making a reservation .
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 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.
Only an hour's drive from Portland, Oregon, the clear water of the Salmon River cascades over numerous waterfalls in the Salmon-Huckleberry Wilderness before reaching its lower forested canyons.
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!
In October of 1907, Three Arch Rocks National Wildlife Refuge was established as the first National Wildlife Refuge west of the Mississippi River.
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.
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 Fort Vancouver National Historic Site (15 mi) and Henry Hagg Lake (15 mi).
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.