Oaks Bottom is a peaceful, trail to immerse in nature with access from Sellwood Park right within Portland. Traverse a down hill path (with railing) and then a mild dirt trail thru the fields, and into the sanctuary, and walk across bridges to this beautiful look out platform. Whether you want to hear frogs, learn about salmon, or bird watch, you have the opportunity for all of it at Oaks Bottom. Friends of Oaks bottom is a great organization that supports the preserve so research them if you want to learn more about the conservation efforts.
Just for fun, we always have a balance challenge at this spot, and see who from our group can stand on one leg the longest. Join us in the tradition!
"This cache complies with the geocaching policies for Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) properties. Please respect park hours when caching."
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Oaks Bottom is a floodplain wetland located along the east bank of the Willamette River. Part of the park is built on a sanitation landfill consisting of 400,000 cubic feet of construction waste material layered with soil. The City of Portland acquired the original 115 acres in 1959. Parks acquired the landfill property from the Donald M. Drake Company at the beginning of 1969 to block its development as an industrial park. The area was believed, at the time, to be one of the few remaining marshland areas in Portland, and local residents were strongly opposed to its development as industrial property.
Portland Parks & Recreation's Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge is a 163-acre complex of meadows, woodlands and wetlands in Portland on the east bank of the Willamette River, just north of the Sellwood Bridge. The refuge is the largest remaining natural area within the lower Willamette River floodplain and provides important habitat for fish and wildlife, including threatened salmon and more than 175 bird species.
Oaks Bottom supports many wildlife species that are considered “special status” - in decline on a regional or statewide scale. These include 44 bird species, three bat species, and one type of amphibian.
Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) manages the site as an important habitat area and an inviting place to view wildlife in the heart of the city. The Springwater Corridor Trail (part of the region’s trail network) bisects the western edge of the refuge. A hiking trail and one hike/bike trail connect the refuge with two visitor parking lots and the Sellwood neighborhood to the east.
PP&R created Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge (name changed from Oaks Pioneer Park), the city’s first wildlife refuge, in 1988 after a long history of environmental degradation at the site. The City thanks the Sellwood neighbors, schools and colleges, and many other volunteer and partner groups who help restore habitats at the refuge.