Oxbow Regional Park – Gresham, Oregon – Moquistang; one little mustang who does it all.

Oxbow Regional Park – Gresham, Oregon

Dec 11, 2025

December 11, 2025

Submitted By: Kolu Westcott of Pet Portraits NW. Be sure to check out her work and her adventures with her BLM Warmsprings mustang on Instagram!

Oxbow Regional Park provides 1,000 acres to explore in the Sandy River Gorge. Located just 38 minutes from downtown Portland, this park is a great day ride option for the Portland metro area. Enjoy river access and forested trails as you explore this park.

Trail Stats:

5.2 miles
Elevation Gain: 716 feet
Elevation Loss: 726 feet
Max Elevation: 708 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
↗ What does this mean?
Footing: Single track dirt trail, some very short sections of rock and debris.
Hoof Protection: Shoes/boots recommended.

← Back to Trail Catalog
← Explore more trails in the Portland Metro area

Facilities: No formal equestrian facilities.

Water Sources: Sandy River.

Trail Info: The trail starts at the equestrian trailhead at end of Homan Rd. It’s well-marked and easy to find. The trail descends to Elk Meadow. This trail has steep drop-offs and cliffs. The switchbacks are well-maintained and wide. There is a mile loop that goes around the meadow. One side of the trail is a cliff. It’s probably 300 ft or more to the bottom of the cliff. You will ride above eagle nests and soaring hawks. There is a trail that goes down to the river. The trail follows the road for a while, then cuts off to the right, down switchbacks and along a field. Then there are a few loop trails down by the river to explore.

It is very windy at Oxbow. There are plenty of trail runners and hikers who are not familiar with horses. I was under the impression that horses rarely use these trails.

Trail Challenges: Road traffic, steep trail, steep side cliffs, urban park happenings, bicycles, cliffs.

Permits: None.

Backcountry Sites: Not suitable for overnight use.

Cell Service: Verizon – yes.

Fuel: Love’s Travel Stop – 400 NW Frontage Rd, Troutdale, OR 97060

GPX File: OHT: Oxbow Regional Park

Maintained By: Oregon Metro Parks

Directions: Drive I-84 east to Exit 17 for Marine Drive and Troutdale. Go straight at the first traffic light for 0.5 miles. Turn right onto 257th Drive and drive 2.8 miles to Division Street. Make a left here. The roads are signposted for Oxbow Park from this intersection. Drive 1.2 miles to a Stop sign and keep straight on Division Drive. After 1.5 miles, the road curves right and becomes S.E. Oxbow Drive. In 2.2 miles, come to an intersection. Keep straight here on Homan Road. Drive 0.5 miles to the dead end.

Resources: