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Sarah Helmick State Recreation Site
4.6 ★★★★★ 347 Google reviews · Running trail in Monmouth, Oregon · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Sarah Helmick State Recreation Site's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Shady park featuring creeks and a river for swimming, plus grills, picnic tables and hiking trails.
What runners say about Sarah Helmick State Recreation Site
“The bathrooms were very clean, and it's a great place to way around for a few minutes before getting back in the car.”
“Some areas of the river are 100% sand on the river bed which makes it nice for walking and beautiful for paddleboarding.”
“The park is pretty, typically not crowded, and has ample shade, picnic tables, and restroom facilities.”
“The park is pretty, typically not crowded, and has ample shade, picnic tables, and restroom facilities.”
This is a nice little park in Monmouth, OR. The drive there is beautiful, farms and fields, if you take the back roads. Be aware cyclists are riding these roads, especially on the weekends. Share the road please. The park is tucked away in a quiet area and surrounded by natural beauty. There is a park host here.
Love this place. Its a new find for me and some friends. Its shallow, slow flowing in most places. Some areas of the river are 100% sand on the river bed which makes it nice for walking and beautiful for paddleboarding. We have a 14ft board that I was able to navigate the river with Ease.
Nicely cared for little park! There are many deciduous trees, sho I'd like to come back for a walk in the fall. Well maintained bathrooms with tp and soap. The group picnic areas looked nice. Plenty of parking. Nice picnic areas scattered throughout.
Great for Bird Watching and Spring Flowers, this is the oldest State Park in Oregon. The pathway to the bathrooms is paved, but a jaunt with a slight hill, which could be difficult for some alternative transportation devices, but the bathrooms are clean and accessible.
Trail conditions & character
“The bathrooms were very clean, and it's a great place to way around for a few minutes before getting back in the car.”
“The park is pretty, typically not crowded, and has ample shade, picnic tables, and restroom facilities.”
“Some areas of the river are 100% sand on the river bed which makes it nice for walking and beautiful for paddleboarding.”
“The park is pretty, typically not crowded, and has ample shade, picnic tables, and restroom facilities.”
“Good place to throw a ball or a Frisbee 🥏 for a dog.”
“The parking is vast and if you're looking for a picnic it's a great spot as well.”
Plan your run at Sarah Helmick State Recreation Site
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Websitestateparks.oregon.gov
- Phone(800) 551-6949
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 7 AM–6 PM |
| Tuesday | 7 AM–6 PM |
| Wednesday | 7 AM–6 PM |
| Thursday | 7 AM–6 PM |
| Friday | 7 AM–6 PM |
| Saturday | 7 AM–6 PM |
| Sunday | 7 AM–6 PM |
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