Tryon Creek State Natural Area

Tryon Creek State Natural Area is a forested nature reserve in Lake Oswego spanning over 600 acres of dense woodland filled with large Douglas firs, western red cedars, and hemlock trees. A creek runs through the property and connects eight miles of trails that wind through this woodland landscape.

A doctor named Socrates Hotchkiss Tryon claimed the land in 1850 and logging operations took place here for over a century. Timber cutting stopped in 1961, after which conservation work began to restore the forest.

The land was home to several Chinook tribes who lived here for generations before settlement arrived. This indigenous connection remains part of how locals understand the place today.

The visitor center provides trail maps and information to help you navigate the many paths through the property. Wear good shoes since the trails wind through wet, hilly forest terrain that can be slippery, especially after rain.

The forest was nearly clearcut before protection began in the 1970s, and the woodland has been slowly recovering on its own ever since. Throughout the trails you can see signs of this regrowth, with young trees growing among the older trees left behind.

Location: Lake Oswego

Operator: Oregon Parks and Recreation Department

Website: https://tryonfriends.org

GPS coordinates: 45.43763,-122.67949

Latest update: December 6, 2025 17:41