Wildwood Recreation Site, Protected recreation area in Mount Hood National Forest, Oregon.
Wildwood Recreation Site is a 580-acre (230 ha) natural recreation area within Mount Hood National Forest, Oregon. Five miles (8 km) of interpretive trail follow the Salmon River, and a wetland boardwalk leads toward the Salmon-Huckleberry Wilderness and the Sandy River.
This location marks the final section of the Barlow Road, which served as the last leg of the Oregon Trail during westward expansion. The trail was a crucial migration route for settlers traveling across the continent.
The site functions as an outdoor classroom where school groups conduct hands-on research about river ecosystems and environmental science. This direct engagement with nature helps young learners connect scientific concepts to the living world around them.
The site lies 39 miles east of Portland on U.S. Route 26 along the Mount Hood Scenic Byway, just east of the Mount Hood National Forest information center. An admission fee is charged. Facilities include picnic areas, group shelters for up to 200 people, softball diamonds, volleyball pits, basketball courts, horseshoe pits and a playground.
An underwater viewing window lets visitors see fish and stream creatures in their natural habitat without disturbing them. This rare feature provides a glimpse into the hidden life of the river ecosystem.
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