Cascade Head Preserve

What to See: Animals

The Oregon silverspot butterfly, federally listed as a threatened species, is known to only four other locations in the world. The butterfly depends on a single plant species, the early blue violet (which grows in coastal grassland openings), to serve as food for its larvae. Elk, deer, coyote, snowshoe hare and the Pacific giant salamander frequent the preserve, while bald eagle, great horned owl, northern harrier, red-tail hawk and the occasional peregrine falcon soar in hunting forays over the grassy slopes.

What to See: Plants

Formed by the uplift of underwater volcanic basalt flows, the headland is unusual for the extent of its prairies dominated by native species: red fescue, wild rye, Pacific reedgrass, coastal paintbrush, goldenrod, blue violet and streambank lupine. Rare wildflowers include hairy checkermallow and the Cascade Head catchfly, with 99% of the catchfly's world population found only here.

Each year more than 35,000 visitors hike Cascade Head Preserve to enjoy the views, wildflowers and wildlife.

Please observe the following guidelines while hiking:

• Stay on the 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. Even the scent of a dog disrupts wildlife.
• 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).

Trails

Lower Nature Conservancy Trail: Approx. 2.5 miles to Lower Viewpoint

• The first 0.25 mile of trail runs parallel to a road and crosses it a number of times. When the trail leaves the road, it climbs a series of steep steps. The trail also passes through private property at times and U.S. Forest Service land. Please stay on the trail and respect private property. Most of the trail takes you through a forest of Sitka spruce and western hemlock. Once on the grassland, the trail continues another 0.6 miles to a lower viewpoint. From there, the trail gains elevation for the next 0.5 miles to an upper viewpoint. The trail then continues for another mile to the upper trailhead.

Upper Nature Conservancy Trail (closed by the U.S. Forest Service from January 1 to July 15): Approx. 1 mile to Upper Viewpoint

• The first 0.75 mile of trail passes through U.S. Forest Service land. Once on the preserve, the trail continues another 0.25 mile to an upper viewpoint. From there the trail loses elevation for the next 0.5 miles to the lower viewpoint, where it connects with the Lower Nature Conservancy Trail. Please stay on the trail to protect fragile prairie habitat. 

Trail Accessibility

• Caution: Trails are steep and may be slippery in places. In addition, there are steep cliffs on the preserve. Use caution when crossing roads. 
• Notice: There are no restroom facilities (other than at the beginning of the Lower trail at Knight Park) or drinking water available on the preserve.