Elijah Bristow State Park
Enter the equestrian parking lot of Elijah Bristow State Park on a summer afternoon and you are bound to hear plenty of whinnies and spot many horse trailers.
From the miles of well maintained trails that wind along the Middle Fork of the Willamette River east towards Dexter Lake, to the equestrian amenities provided free of charge, this state park is a favorite for horse back riders. The day use only park has plenty of room to ride with more than 12 miles of trails on 847 acres of meadows, woodlands and wetlands. While horseback riders share the trail with walkers, runners and mountain bikers the trails are big enough to hold everyone. The terrain is mostly flat and trees provide ample coverage from the sun.
From the beginning of your riding journey, the parking area provides a large area for horse trailers to maneuver, a bathroom, water, stalls, a round pen and a ramp to load/unload your horse or to help you get on to your horse. Trails take you through open fields where you can often see deer or elk, and into more wooded areas along Lost Creek and sloughs where the Western pond turtle sun on logs. You can also spot great blue heron, osprey and bald eagles among many other birds and animals throughout the park.
If you are interested in a longer ride, choose the trail that takes you to Dexter Lake where you can ride all the way to the top of the Dexter Dam for a spectacular view of the lake. A map of the park and trails in the equestrian parking area, and markers along the trail, help guide you through the park. Riders are also offered several opportunities to take their horses through water crossings.
A few things to watch out for on the trails are stinging nettle and blackberries that creep out onto the path. Certain hours of the day or evening, the mosquitos can be pesky as well.
If you bring your dog, leashes are required while on the trails. There is a dog area to let them off the leash just after you enter the main entrance of the park. Riders are asked to stay on marked trails as park rangers are trying to restore certain areas to their natural habitat or protect endangered species.
Elijah Bristow State Park is located approximately 16 miles southeast of Eugene just off of Highway 58 on Wheeler Road. It has two entrances, the equestrian staging area and the main entrance that ends at a large grassy picnic area along the Willamette River. The park gets its name from one of the first pioneer settlers of Lane County, Elijah Bristow.
Written by Korenza Burris for DiscoverEugene.com. Photos by Korenza Burris.