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The roar of Willamette Falls, a wide horseshoe of water that tumbles over a basalt ledge, sits on West Linn's doorstep. This city of about 27,000 people lies on the west bank of the Willamette River across from Oregon City, roughly 15 miles south of downtown Portland, where the Tualatin River joins the Willamette.
The falls shaped the town's history. Paper mills and hydropower grew up along the river, and in 1873 the Willamette Falls Locks opened so steamboats could bypass the falls; they are among the oldest multi-lift locks in the country. The Historic Willamette district along Willamette Falls Drive keeps an old main-street feel, with cafes, a brewpub and an annual summer festival.
Much of West Linn is green and hilly. Mary S. Young Park follows the river under tall firs, Camassia Natural Area bursts with purple camas lilies each spring, and Willamette Park sits right at the river confluence. The 1922 arch bridge leads to Oregon City and the End of the Oregon Trail, and Portland and the Willamette Valley wine country are short drives away.
A chain of four lift locks and a guard lock built in 1873 so boats could pass Willamette Falls, among the oldest multi-lift navigation locks in the United States. The locks have been closed to traffic for repairs since 2011, but you can see the chambers and gates from the riverside grounds. Check for occasional public open days.
A broad horseshoe-shaped waterfall about 40 feet high and some 1,500 feet wide, one of the largest by volume in North America. Old mill buildings line its edges, and sea lions sometimes hunt salmon below. Spring brings the heaviest flow; the overlooks and a boat tour from the river give the best views.
A Nature Conservancy preserve on a rocky plateau left by the Ice Age floods, known for carpets of purple camas lilies and other wildflowers in April and May. A short trail loops past oak woodland, mossy rocks and vernal pools. Stay on the path to protect the fragile plants, and leave dogs at home.
The historic Willamette district along Willamette Falls Drive, with early 1900s storefronts now holding cafes, a brewpub, restaurants and small shops. It hosts a summer street festival and seasonal events. Park on the side streets and walk down toward Willamette Park on the river for a pleasant afternoon loop.
A large riverside park where the Tualatin River flows into the Willamette, with a boat ramp, sandy shoreline, play areas, sports fields and picnic shelters. Paddlers launch here for trips upriver, and anglers come for salmon runs. It is busy on hot weekends, so arrive early if you are bringing a boat.
A wooded park of about 130 acres on the Willamette River, with trails under tall Douglas firs down to the water, a dog off-leash area and sports fields. Walkers can loop through the forest and reach a quiet shoreline. Trails can be muddy in winter, so wear sturdy shoes outside the dry summer months.
A modern riverfront park on the Tualatin River with a small boat launch, paved paths, a playground and a community garden. It is a good starting point for an easy kayak or canoe paddle on the calm Tualatin, and the open lawns suit picnics. Restrooms and parking make it practical for families.
A graceful steel arch bridge, encased in concrete, built in 1922 across the Willamette between West Linn and Oregon City. Restored and reopened in 2013, it has sidewalks that give views of the river toward Willamette Falls. Walk across to explore Oregon City's historic sights and return the same way.
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Log in to add photosPhoto: Tesint at English Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: RenownedCyclist, Wikimedia Commons, CC0
Photo: Visitor7, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Adam Herstein, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Ian Poellet, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Steve Morgan, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Bob Heims, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: Portland Corps from Portland, Oregon, U.S., Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Portland Corps from Portland, Oregon, U.S., Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Portland Corps from Portland, Oregon, U.S., Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: EncMstr, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Gary Halvorson, Oregon State Archives, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Bob Heims, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: EncMstr, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: EncMstr, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Gary Halvorson, Oregon State Archives, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Gary Halvorson, Oregon State Archives, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Gary Halvorson, Oregon State Archives, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Gary Halvorson, Oregon State Archives, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0
