Dorris Ranch — Attraction in Oregon

Such a wonderful place to visit. Walking trails galore. Rustic barnery and public restrooms (huge plus). Picnic tables and places to bike, hike and explore for a few hours. Good to bring fur baby on a walk on a leash of course.

The bad: Our most recent visit (kids included), we happened upon a terrifying sight. My 3 yr old had to use the potty, so we used the one up top by the parking lot. There was an empty beer bottle on the ground, a pair of black gloves left in the stall and wait for it... actual blood splatter on the ceiling. I sincerely hope that isn't still there. Submitted a call to let park maintenance know about it. Not gonna lie.. it was splattered like what you would see in a slasher film. Very scary. Other than that, it was a wonderful day. Love to frequent this place on a weather permitting day. Lots of rich history and pretty sights as well. Best part .. it's free. Didn't have to pay for parking even with out of state plates. Only tip is to maybe call ahead and check if their open as they do sometimes...

Brought my out of state family here to visit. We had to go to the bathroom and for whatever reason there was some AA meeting going on- RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE BATHROOMS?? People in a circle with chairs, and someone giving a speech. We couldn't go up to the doors because they were literally right in front. Not sure if this meeting was authorized or approved but not sure why they wouldn't use the inside of the barn for privacy instead of taking up the entire quad in front of the bathrooms. Bathrooms also seemed to have some sort of key pad so not sure if we could have even accessed them? The trail we went on was not comfortable, lots of small pebbles. No rails or safety against falling into the river. Only saw 1 trashcan along my trail. They should provide way more trashcans so people are least likely to leave their trash along the trail like we saw. Saw some owners with their dogs off leash. Don't think I'll try...

Dorris Ranch is a large, natural area that includes a public park with a working farm, access to the Middle Fork Trail (along the Willamette River), and many miles of hiking and nature trails. The ranch was one of the original homesteads in the Springfield area, and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

The ranch offers many education and entertaining activities for kids. Some of the activities include geocaching, working on a pioneer farm, learning about blacksmithing and trapping, a Northwest Native American plank house, a traveling trunk show with costumed performers, and much more.

I have chaperoned multiple kindergarten and elementary school field trips to the Dorris Ranch, and I have yet to see a child who didn't have a...