PNW Hike: Camassia Nature Preserve

Managed by the Nature Conservancy, this preserve features an explosion of camas, fawn lilies, and sea blush each spring.

BY LAURA J. COLE  |  April 19, 2024

Narrow boardwalks are interspersed through the trail, along with bare ground and wood chips, which have some rocky areas.

Things to know about hiking Camassia Natural Area.

  • The Camassia Preserve Loop trail is part of a public, 27-acre preserve managed by The Nature Conservancy.
  • Volunteers work at the park to remove invasive species, such as scotch broom, and to limit the growth of Douglas fir, so Oregon white oaks and camas flowers have the best chance to grow as they once did in this area. As a result, visitors are asked to stay on the trails to allow the plants to flourish—and to avoid the poison oak.
  • Parking is located at the end of a residential street and extremely limited. 
  • Dogs are prohibited from being in the preserve and on the trail, so leave your furry friends behind.
  • The Nature Conservancy asks visitors to walk the loop counterclockwise, as the path is narrow. There are several meadows throughout, forks you can follow, and a viewpoint where you can see Mt. Hood on a clear day.
  • The word camas comes from the Nez Perce qémʼes, as the plant was an important food source for the tribe—and indigenous peoples across the Pacific Northwest—who would cook, dry, and grind its nutritious bulbs into a meal to use for bread and other meals.
  • The preserve is home to more than 300 plants, including the rare white larkspur, found at only six other places in the world, according to a sign at the beginning of the trail.

Camassia Natural Area

Location: West Linn, Oregon (about .5 hours from Portland)

Length: 0.6 miles

Elevation gain: 36 feet

Trail type: Loop

Dog friendly: No

Best time for wildflowers: April through May

Land Acknowledgement: This trail is on land that was used by the Kalapuya Tribes, including the bands of the Atfalati and Ahantchuyuk, who are today represented by the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde and Confederated Tribes of Siletz

Camassia Natural Area

Location: West Linn, Oregon (about .5 hours from Portland)

Length: 0.6 miles

Elevation gain: 36 feet

Trail type: Loop

Dog friendly: No

Best time for wildflowers: April through May

Land Acknowledgement: This trail is on land that was used by the Atfalati, Kalapuya, and Ahantchuyuk peoples

The preserve is a shallow-soiled, rocky plateau carved 12,000 to 19,000 years ago when a glacial flood poured into the Willamette Valley.

Things to know about hiking Camassia Natural Area.

  • The Camassia Preserve Loop trail is part of a public, 27-acre preserve managed by The Nature Conservancy.

  • Volunteers work at the park to remove invasive species, such as scotch broom, and to limit the growth of Douglas fir, so Oregon white oaks and camas flowers have the best chance to grow as they once did in this area. As a result, visitors are asked to stay on the trails to allow the plants to flourish—and to avoid the poison oak.

  • Parking is located at the end of a residential street and extremely limited. 

  • Dogs are prohibited from being in the preserve and on the trail, so leave your furry friends behind.

  • The Nature Conservancy asks visitors to walk the loop counterclockwise, as the path is narrow. There are several meadows throughout, forks you can follow, and a viewpoint where you can see Mt. Hood on a clear day.

  • The word camas comes from the Nez Perce qémʼes, as the plant was an important food source for the tribe—and indigenous peoples across the Pacific Northwest—who would cook, dry, and grind its nutritious bulbs into a meal to use for bread and other meals.

  • The preserve is home to more than 300 plants, including the rare white larkspur, found at only six other places in the world, according to a sign at the beginning of the trail.
Blooming April through June, common camas is part of the lily family, which contains 478 species in North America and approximately 4,200 species worldwide.
The preserve focuses on allowing prairie plants and Oregon white oak trees to flourish, as they once did throughout the Willamette Valley.
Patches of Oregon fawn lilies (Erythronium oregonum) can be seen just off the trail.
The preserve is a shallow-soiled, rocky plateau carved 12,000 to 19,000 years ago when a glacial flood poured into the Willamette Valley.
Powder pink puffballs of shortspur seablush naturally occur in damp grassy meadows with common camas and are seen throughout the preserve.
Narrow boardwalks are interspersed through the trail, along with bare ground and wood chips, which have some rocky areas.
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PNW Hike: Catherine Creek

Catherine Creek Recreation Area features several hikes that provide sweeping views of the Columbia River Gorge — and wildflowers.

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