Hiking Through History, Camp Polk Meadow Preserve

Join the Land Trust on a tour to explore your Land Trust Community Preserves! Photo: Land Trust.
Join the Land Trust on a tour to explore your Land Trust Community Preserves! Photo: Land Trust.

Join the Deschutes Land Trust and Martha Lussenhop for a history hike at Camp Polk Meadow Preserve. The meadow has a long history as a crossroads for Native Americans, explorers, soldiers, and settlers. Discover how people over the centuries have used natural resources from this special place for food and shelter. Today it is known as a local nature preserve that is home to a variety of plant and wildlife species and is one of Central Oregon’s birding hot spots. We'll hike through the meadow making various stops along the way to learn how the meadow is being restored to create a healthier place for native plants, fish, wildlife, and our community. Registration is required and opens 1 month prior to the event.

Face masks: Per Oregon Health Authority (OHA) guidelines, face masks are no longer required indoors or outside. Individuals who wish to wear a face mask may do so.

  • Outing Details + Route

    Hike Rating: This is a moderate 2 mile hike. Portions will be on a gravel trail and through a meadow with tall grasses.

    Route: This hike will start at the Camp Polk Meadow kiosk, follow a gravel trail, then venture off-trail towards Whychus Creek. Terrain will be uneven at times.

    Elevation gain/loss: This hike is moderate with little elevation gain/loss.

  • What to Bring

    Long pants and waterproof footwear recommended, hiking poles and binoculars (if you have them), snacks/lunch, water, closed toe shoes. Dress for the weather.

  • About the Property

    Camp Polk Meadow Preserve is a 152 acre Preserve on Whychus Creek near Sisters, Oregon. The Preserve was first established by the Deschutes Land Trust in 2000. The Preserve contains approximately 1.4 miles of Whychus Creek, wetlands, meadows, aspen groves and ponderosa pine stands. It is home to a variety of plant and wildlife species and is one of Central Oregon's birding hot spots. The Preserve also has a long and illustrious history as a crossroads for Native Americans, explorers, soldiers and settlers.

  • Accessibility

    The Land Trust is working to make our Walks + Hikes as accessible as possible. Please let us know at least one week in advance if there is something we can do or provide to support you in participating in this outing to the fullest and we will accommodate as possible.