Trail Running in Graham Oaks Nature Park

I am starting to stretch the boundaries of what could be considered "Tualatin Valley" here... but I'm also expanding my own radius of trail running routes.

I recently discovered Graham Oaks Nature Park in Wilsonville and fell in love. Hey, it's still south of Portland, so I'm going to count it in my list of favorite valley trail runs.

For more classic "wine country" vibes, you can check out my other posts here:

• Trail Running in Oregon's Wine Country

• Bob & Crystal Rilee Park (Newberg)

• Willamette Mission State Park (Keizer)

• Champoeg State Park (Newberg)

• Miller Woods Conservation Area (McMinnville)

• Chehalem Ridge Nature Park (Forest Grove)

And to get directions, take a look at my interactive map of favorite trail runs in SW Portland, here.

If you're on the east side, or willing to venture east for a nice run or walk at Graham Oaks Nature Park, keep reading!

Moody views at the beginning of the Graham Oaks Nature Park trail. Oak savannahs lead into evergreen forests, for a constantly changing terrain in just a 3 mile loop.

Graham Oaks Nature Park at-a-glance

For those in a hurry, here are the quick facts on Graham Oaks Nature Park.

• About 45 minutes from Portland - see Google Maps pin (traffic from Portland to Wilsonville is atrocious - the 45 minute estimate is during rush hour, so it might be shorter! for you)

  
  

• Trail map

  
  

• Trail Policies

  • Dogs and bicycles only allowed on the paved path through center of park (this isn't clearly marked so you'll encounter dogs everywhere)

  • Parking is free!

  • There are flush toilets with sinks, and a drinking fountain at the parking lot

• Official website from Oregon Metro

• Official website from city of Wilsonville

• There is a one-mile paved path through the center of the park, and a 2.3-mile mixed-surface loop around the rest of the property. It's super flat!

The official Graham Oaks Nature Park map. Sorry, I know it's awful but this is all I could find. It's a small park. You'll be fine.

Exploring Graham Oaks Nature Park

Google Maps might take you to some weird places, but you should park in the lot off SW Wilsonville Rd. The first time I visited, it took me to one of the elementary schools and I had to access the park from a smaller trail. It was actually pretty nice! For simplicity's sake, I usually just park in the lot where there is a bathroom and drinking fountain.

The paved Ice Age Tonquin Trail cuts through the middle of the park. This is the only part of the park that allows dogs and bicycles. The park doesn't have many signs pointing this out, so people just take their dogs everywhere. I don't mind, but it is technically against the rules.

I love that Graham Oaks contains both forested sections, and an oak savannah. The park feels bigger than it is, because you'll encounter different terrains. It is very flat, making it a great beginner trail run. I like to do two laps around the park, for a 5-6 mile easy run.

The western half of the route is through a forested section, but the majority of the park is oak savannah.

Let's make a day of it!

Graham Oaks Nature Park is about 45 minutes from Portland. If you live in the Wilsonville or Tualatin area, it's super convenient! Of all the runs on my list, it is probably the most urban. I'm honestly not the biggest fan of Wilsonville, so I really only stop here when I'm in the area, usually when I'm antique shopping in nearby Aurora.

Here are some of my favorite local stops by Graham Oaks:

• The Cobbler Coffee Shop (16 minutes away): This new coffee shop opened in the historic downtown district of Aurora. It's a tiny town, mostly known for great antique shopping. The Cobbler is located in a restored log cabin and owned by a professional interior designer, so it's very cute and cozy. I recommend getting a coffee here, antique shopping in Aurora, then ending with a run or walk at Graham Oaks on your way back.

• Our Table Cooperative (7 minutes away): This is a wonderful little farm store with a beautiful outdoor seating area. I haven't been here enough, so I still need to check out their berry picking and other events. They are only open Thursday and Friday from 2-6 pm, and Saturday and Sunday from 10-4, so it's tricky to catch them.

• San Francisco Tienda Mexicana (7 minutes away): Every time my husband and I are in Wilsonville, we stop here to buy carne asada and taco supplies. Their fresh meat is the best around, while still being super affordable. They have a huge selection of Mexican groceries and ready-to-eat food. The seating area isn't the most aesthetic, so it's best taken out (maybe for a picnic at Graham Oaks Nature Park?)

The last time I visited Graham Oaks, I took a photo of some unusual animal droppings and emailed the park rangers asking what animal left it. They must not have been thrilled to get a poop photo in their inbox, and did not reply. My husband was also not amused by my poop photoshoot and snapped a pic (I censored it) of my embarrassing antics. I have since concluded it was raccoon!

Thanks for reading!

Writing about my favorite trail running routes has been my one of my favorite Kati Explores projects thus far. I keep thinking I'm done, then I discover a new place.

I am also thoroughly enjoying finding my favorite one star Google Review for each location. "L N" claims to be a "lover of nature" and offers the following thoughts on Graham Oaks:

"I cannot see what all the fuss is about. ...I asked the park host where the forest was and he said, "there is a small part in the Tonkin trail," "otherwise it's all grassland". So anyway, this may be your type of park, but it sure isn't mine. Ugly dried allergen grass and not nature filled. Oak trees will take decades to fill in."

Spoken like a true lover of nature! I guess a park full of grass and oak trees doesn't count as "nature filled" to some people.