The Nature Conservancy. Protecting nature. Preserving life.™

Why You Should Visit    

Located in the Willamette River just upstream from West Linn, Little Rock Island hosts a diversity of plant communities including one of Oregon's rarest, the white rock larkspur. Small channels separate segments of the island, which is forested on the north but open and rocky on the south. The multitude of habitats on the island support equally diverse bird populations.

Location

On the Willamette River, upstream from West Linn, in Northwest Oregon

Size

32 acres

What the Conservancy Has Done/Is Doing

The 12-acre preserve includes the island, a gift from James River Corporation. Twenty acres on the west riverbank are cooperatively managed by the Conservancy with the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department and the Metro Parks and Greenspaces Program.

Ecologists are monitoring the populations of white rock larkspur, while volunteers are employed to eradicate invasive Scots broom and Himalayan blackberry.

Things To Do

What to See: Plants

While the preserve's "star plant" is undoubtedly the rare white rock larkspur, other vegetation includes beautiful madrone and plants more typically found in arid environments, such as desert parsleys.

What to See: Animals

While visiting the preserve, keep your eyes and ears alert for osprey and various songbirds.

Plan Your Visit

The island and adjacent shoreline are for day use only. Please watch for poison oak.

Please observe the following guidelines while hiking:

• Stay on the shorelines and trail. Don't collect plants, insects or other species or disturb soil, rocks, artifacts or scientific research markers.
• No dogs. Preserves harbor ground-nesting birds and other wildlife that are extremely sensitive to disturbance.
• No bicycles or motorized vehicles. Native plants and research sites are easily trampled.
• No hunting, camping or campfires.
• For groups of 10 or more, please contact us before visiting a preserve (a volunteer naturalist guide may be available).
• Please bring a bag and carry out any trash you find.
• Please report to us any problems you observe (e.g., camping, plant removal, hunting, off-road vehicle damage, etc).

Directions

The preserve is reachable only by watercraft. The city of West Linn's Willamette Falls Park has boat launch facilities.

• Follow the western shoreline south for approximately .75 mile.
• The island is separated from the shoreline by a narrow channel. The best landing spot for motor boats is on the southeast corner of the main island.
• Kayaks or canoes can land at several spots along the shoreline.

Discussion

Have you been to this preserve? Are you thinking of visiting? See what others are saying about their experiences and add your comments below.

Add Your Comments

Time for you to join the discussion. Tell us about your experience at this preserve. What plants and animals did you see? When did you go? You can help others plan their visit when you share your thoughts. And thank you for visiting one of our nature preserves!

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