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Oregon
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Oregon State Parks

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Oregon
Southern Region
Elk Creek Tunnel Forest State Park
Western Meadow Lark © stateparks.com
Western Meadow Lark
Picnic Table © stateparks.com
It is always a great day for a picnic in the park.
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ELK CREEK TUNNEL FOREST STATE PARK
ELK CREEK TUNNEL FOREST STATE PARK
Elk Creek Tunnel Forest State Park is a captivating natural haven. The park features lush greenery and towering trees which create a serene environment perfect for nature lovers. It's named after its main attraction - Elk Creek Tunnel; once used as part of Highway 38 but now serves as an intriguing hiking path where visitors can explore on foot or bicycle while enjoying the cool shade provided by this unique structure. This state park also provides picnic areas with grills making it ideal for family outings amidst beautiful surroundings teeming with wildlife such as deer and various bird species adding to its charm.

History of the Area
Located in Oregon, this natural haven has a rich history that dates back to the early 20th century. Originally constructed as part of the Pacific Highway project between 1921 and 1925, it was one of three tunnels built along Elk Creek Ridge.

The tunnel served its purpose for several decades until an alternate route around Elk Mountain became necessary due to safety concerns related with frequent landslides during winter months. In response, engineers designed a new highway alignment which bypassed the old tunnel completely by late-1960s.

After being decommissioned from active service on U.S Route 199 (Redwood Highway), instead of demolishing or sealing off permanently like other two structures on same ridge line; local community members advocated preserving it as historical landmark because they recognized its cultural significance within region's transportation heritage.

In recognition of these efforts and after years-long negotiations among various stakeholders including state agencies such as Department Of Transportation & Parks And Recreation Division - finally in year 1988 agreement was reached where ownership transferred over towards latter entity who then designated area surrounding former roadway structure into public recreational site under their jurisdictional control while also ensuring preservation measures were put place protect integrity original engineering work done almost seven decades prior at time construction first began here all those many years ago before becoming what we know today: A unique blend nature meets human ingenuity nestled amidst lush greenery offering visitors chance experience piece living past through lens present day outdoor adventure activities available them explore enjoy whenever visiting beautiful corner Beaver State!


Location
Elk Creek Tunnel Forest State Park is located near Eugene


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Area Campgrounds
Elkton RV Park
450 River Drive
Elkton, OR
541-584-2832
Nearby Hotels
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Directions
1. Start your journey from the city of Portland, which serves as a convenient starting point for most travelers.
2. Take I:5 Southbound from Portland towards Salem.
3. Continue on I:5 South until you reach Exit 238 toward OR-99E/Canby/Hubbard/Woodburn.
4. Merge onto Pacific Hwy E/OR:99E S via the ramp to Canby/Aurora/Molalla/Silverton/Oregon City/Illahe/Eastern Oregon University-OIT Campus (signs for Aurora).
5. Stay on OR:99E S/Pacific Hwy E for approximately 20 miles until you reach Woodburn.
6. In Woodburn, take exit 271A to merge onto OR:Hwy214S toward Silverton/Sublimity/St Paul/Newberg/Yamhill County Fairgrounds/Cascade Gateway Park/Brooks/Gervais/French Prairie Rest Area/Detroit Lake Recreation Area/Lyons Mill City/North Santiam River Recreational Areas/Stayton/Turner/Jefferson Scio Dr./Scio/Shedd/River Bend RV Resort & Golf Course.
7. Continue driving south on Highway 214 through towns like Mt Angel and Silver Falls before reaching Sublimity where there will be signs directing visitors left off highway at Elk Horn Drive SE just past milepost #17.

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Oregon
26

Oregon State Parks

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