Description:

This is a day trip to explore historic Oregon City with a side hike to the Camassia Natural Area to see spring wildflowers. We will be traveling by train and on foot.
We gather at the Eugene Amtrak Station, then depart for a 2-hour train ride to Oregon City. Arriving, we will walk for approx 1.8 miles (45 minutes) in an urban setting following sidewalks and back alleys, then cross a historic arch bridge, eventually reaching the Camassia Natural Area. The natural Area is a Nature Conservancy preserve that includes a 1.5-mile loop walk, seeing spring wildflowers. Around noontime, wherever we are, we will find an area for enjoying our bag lunches.
We return to Oregon City on foot (1 mile) again crossing the arch bridge for views of the Willamette Falls in the distance. We will make a half-hour stop at the White Rabbit Bookstore/Coffee Shop to re-energize.
A quarter-mile away is the Municipal Elevator, where we will begin the McLoughlin Promenade Hike, a 2.3-mile out-and-back hike that overlooks the river and Willamette Falls below. Along the way, we will visit the Museum of the Oregon Territory. Plan for an hour at the museum, which includes watching the 25-minute movie "Willamette Falls: Where the Future Began."
Returning on the footpath, if time allows, we will visit the "McLoughlin House," part of the Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, then return to Main St. via the Singer Hill Falls and Stairs.
We hope to have some free time to explore the shops and eateries on Main St. This will also be an opportunity to grab a sandwich, etc for eating on your return trip on the train. At 5:45pm, we will gather at White Rabbit Bookstore. As a group, we will make our way back to the Oregon City Amtrak Station, which is about a mile (a 25-minute walk) for our 6:34 departure.
The train ride back to Eugene is just over 2 hours.
This trip is exploratory for the trip leader. KEEP READING TO UNDERSTAND COSTS

Costs:
Train-
Everyone on this trip will need to purchase their own Amtrak tickets at amtrak.com. It is suggested to pay the extra dollar each way for a refundable ticket so you have that option.
Train: Cost is $32 round trip (coach)
Saturday. May 2, 2026
Amtrak Cascades
EUG > ORC Departs 7:45am - Arrives 9:38am
ORC > EUG Departs 6:34pm - Arrives 8:47pm
Museum-
The museum is $8 - $10 per person and paid upon entry.
Parking in Eugene-
Park at the Hult Center Parking Lot on 6th and Olive. The trip leader will be parking on the first floor closer to the 6th Street side. Parking is free on Saturdays in the Hult Center Parking Garage, though an event can override fee parking. There does not appear to be a major event at the Hult when this trip is posted, but please be flexible. The walk from the parking garage to the train station is about 5 minutes. There is some limited street parking on the weekend.