Alternative Trailhead Transportation

Trailheads are Busy...

Dear visitors... (For a detailed discussion, follow this link. For a quick synopsis, read on below)

We each have our own special reason for being in the Forest, all equally meaningful and welcome. Our community's enthusiasm (155,000 annual visits, with use increasing) can also sometimes cause problems with parking congestion at trailheads.

Folks feel frustrated when there is no parking available
Busy parking areas pose safety hazards to children and pets, and overflow parking can impede access for administrative and emergency vehicles
Heavy traffic and unauthorized parking has a huge impact on our forest neighbors
In 2017, 89% of visitors drove to trailheads, resulting in nearly 2 million miles, or 795 metric tons of CO₂ emitted into the atmosphere (see blue box)

OSU's ability to provide more parking is limited by several factors, and the Forest will never be able to provide enough parking space for all the demand we expect to see into the future. Rather, our strategy, developed with community input, is to support alternative methods of transportation by...

Providing information and increasing awareness
Having installed bike racks at Oak Creek, Lewisburg Saddle, and Peavy Arboretum
having installed the Oak Creek Webcam, to help you plan your trip
Pursuing the development of trails linking the Forest to the City of Corvallis (stay tuned)
Asking for your thoughts (contact us)

Will you join us in the movement to reduce congestion? Please consider...

Biking to trailheads from in-town access points like Chip Ross Park and Timberhill Natural Area, and using the new bike racks at Oak Creek, Lewisburg Saddle, and Peavy Arboretum
Carpooling when you come with a group with ODOT's new Get There rideshare app!
Try Park & Ride locations like Midge Cramer parking at the Benton County Fairground, Martin Luther King Jr. Park, or a friend's house.
Supporting others who love the forest like our forest neighbors, other visitors and their animals, and wildlife. Please drive slowly and courteously.