Shevlin Park covers 600 acres just minutes from downtown Bend with trails that take you parallel with Tumalo Creek, past picnic areas and small meadows littered with wildflowers. A 4.5 mile loop begins near the front parking area, and first passes through this grove of aspen.

Coming out of the aspen grove, keep to your left to cross a footbridge and then follow the trail up the ridge. This dusty ridge trail heads west, staying parallel with Tumalo Creek.

The trail along the ridge is a double-tracked Forest Service road. It's out in open country for about a mile and a half, so bring sunscreen if you're hiking in the sunshine. Eventually the trail breaks away from the FS road and heads downhill into timbered land (follow park trail signs).

This arched bridge, at right, marks the approximate midpoint of the looped trail.

On the return loop, you'll come upon a couple different intersections. In most cases, we veered to the right to stay within sound of the creek.

Tumalo Creek looks murky and brown, but it's really shallow water flowing over earth-toned river rocks.

Shevlin Park boasts a covered bridge. There is now a bright red post in the middle of the bridge entrance to block vehicles from crossing over.

A variety of wildflowers grows along the north side of the creek where there are grassy, sunlit meadows.

The trail loops back through the aspen grove near the paved parking area.

Elevation: 3,742 feet, with a 250-foot elevation gain on the looped trail.

Trail distance: Approximately 4.5 mile loop.

Rated: Easy

Latitude: 44.04989

Longitude: 121.22650

Directions: From downtown Bend, head west on Newport Avenue, which turns into Shevlin Park Road at a roundabout 2 miles out. Follow Shevlin Park Road for approximately 1.5 miles. Turn left into the park entrance and park in the paved area near the front (the paved road continues on for another 2 miles through the park to different picnic areas along the river). Trailhead begins just to the left of the sign in photo at right.

Fees: No fee.