Oxbow Trail
What to Expect
Safety Advisory
This is grizzly and black bear country — carry bear spray and make noise on blind corners, especially in early morning or late evening when bears frequent the creek corridor.
The trail can be muddy and slick after rain or snowmelt, particularly in spring and early summer — waterproof boots with decent tread will keep you upright on the soft forest floor.
Trail Details
Pro Tips
Park at the Camas Road pullout just south of the Lower McDonald Creek Bridge — it's a small lot that rarely fills since most visitors blast past on their way to Camas Lake or Fish Creek, making this a reliably uncrowded start.
Combine this with a picnic along the creek bank about halfway in, where several flat rocks along the oxbow make natural lunch spots with views of the water — bring a sit pad since the rocks hold morning chill well into the afternoon.
Walk this trail in late September or early October when the cottonwoods and larch are turning — the golden light filtering through the canopy along the creek is some of the best low-effort autumn scenery in the park.