Oxbow Regional Park, Metro is set on the Wild and Scenic Sandy River between Gresham and Sandy. Oxbow is home to diverse wildlife such as Roosevelt elk, bald eagles, osprey, salmon, and steelhead trout runs. Visitors can fish, float and swim in the Sandy River. Eleven miles of trails meander along the river and through places named Elk Meadows, Alder Ridge, and the Ancient Forest, an area of 700-year-old trees in the old-growth forest. Dogs or Alcohol are not allowed in Oxbow.  Parking is $5/day, but parking at the equestrian trailhead on SE Homan Road is free.

 

Oxbow Park Map

Run the 10k course of the Oxbow Trail Runs to get all that Oxbow offers.  Start at the Alder Picnic area and follow the trail on the Sandy River toward the boat launch.  Head up the boat ramp and look for the trail on the left (currently partially closed due to erosion. head through the campground to get around it.) Follow the trail along the river until it ends (point J on map.)  Head right through a picnic area and along the trail until the gravel road. Turn left along the gravel road and climb up to Elk Meadows.

 

 

 

The trail loops on a plateau and follows Alder Ridge above the Sandy River. Head up the Equestrian Trail for a challenging out and back among switchbacks.  Look to the SE for a view of Mt. Hood through the trees.  At the end of the loop, head back down the gravel road and look for a trail on the left.  This technical trail twists through the Ancient forest.  Cross Oxbow Road back to the trail along the river and head back to the Alder Picnic Area.

 


Oxbow Trail Runs Course