This 30-ac park on the Luckiamute River is popular in summer for its picnic facilities and swimming hole (swim with caution as the current is deceptively strong). Birders will be most interested in the mature Douglas-firs and big-leaf maples with natural understory. Check for Swainson's Thrush, Pacific-slope Flycatcher and Black-throated Gray Warbler in summer, and Varied and Hermit Thrush in winter. Steller's Jay, Red-breasted Nuthatch, and Brown Creeper are here year-round. In early winter, a flood pond SW of the park, which can be scoped from Simpson Rd (gravel), often has swans and thousands of dabbling ducks.
At MP 67.8 on Hwy 99W between Monmouth and Corvallis, turn W on Old Fort Rd. After 0.2 mi, turn L on Helmick Rd. Go 0.2 mi to park entrance on R. GPS 44 46.894 N ,123 14.135 W.
