Almost all of today’s hiking trails were built more than 80 years ago.
Almost all of them are currently maintained by volunteers.
Explosive trail use and a lack of funding for trail maintenance is a real threat to our favorite trails.
In 2007, a group of concerned hikers founded Trailkeepers of Oregon. Our work takes the form of trail maintenance projects and advocacy work to restore proper funding to a resource so beneficial and beloved by Oregonians.
Backed by the generosity of hundreds of donors and volunteers, Trailkeepers of Oregon is committed to making sure everyone has access to Oregon’s most special places for years to come.
The OregonHikers.org Forum is an online community dedicated to hiking and exploring the outdoors in Oregon and southwest Washington. With more than 7,000 registered members, you’ll find new trip reports posted in our discussion forums daily. The Field Guide is the ultimate hiking resource – thoughtfully written by our community of hikers, the details will get you there and ensure you enjoy every meandering turn in the trail.
Throughout 2023 TKO has been lucky to participate in some outstanding trail projects in the Willamette and Umpqua River Valleys. These projects, critical to maintaining and reopening trails, allowed volunteers to grow their trail construction skills in some of Oregon’s most beautiful natural areas!
Have you caught the “saw bug” yet? Join TKO on a logout and you just might! This draw to saw work, the itch to feel the saw interact with wood as you cut, captivates many a trail crew member after just one day pulling saw. Saw work is a critical aspect of trail stewardship, and it’s this feeling that TKO has worked to inspire in emerging sawyers across Oregon.
Smith Rock State Park is an outdoor recreation haven for hikers, climbers, mountain bikers, and beyond. Due to high visitation and the unique, fragile nature of the ecosystem, it is critical that the 12 trails throughout the park are well maintained. We at TKO feel very lucky to have served this special place throughout 2023, and we’re gearing up for another year!
Trailkeepers of Oregon
P.O. Box 14814
Portland, OR 97293
(971) 206-4351