About Mt. Pisgah and Howard Buford Recreation Area (aka Buford Park)
Mt. Pisgah, a 1,531-foot high volcanic butte, is the dominant feature at Howard Buford Recreation Area (aka Buford Park). An incredible open space, recreation and habitat resource located witin minutes of downtown Eugene and Springfield, Buford Park, at 2,363 acres, is the largest of Lane County's 73 recreation areas. Most of Mt. Pisgah is contained within Buford Park. Attracting over 100,000 visitors a year, Mt. Pisgah is a popular destination for hikers, birders, equestrians and nature lovers. Get driving directions.
Natural features in the Mt. Pisgah area include
- Mt. Pisgah, a 1,500-foot high volcanic butte
- Coast and Middle Forks of the Willamette River
- Lush riparian forest on the valley floor
- Dense fir forest on the north slope
- Oak woodlands and open prairies on the south slopes
What is so special about Howard Buford Recreation Area (HBRA)?
Set between the confluence of the Coast and Middle Forks of the Willamette River, the mountain offers a commanding view up and down the Willamette Valley, and crest to crest of the Coast and Cascade Ranges. The lands around the mountain offer incredible natural diversity. In particular the wetland, prairie and oak savanna habitats are some of the most valuable left in existance in the Willamette Valley. Hundreds of plant species, dozens of birds and mammals, numerous reptiles and amphibians, and countless insects and fungi make the park their home. A trail system of over 16 miles allows access to the recreation area's natural beauty.
How did Buford Park get started?
In 1970 then Oregon Governor Tom McCall approved the purchase of over 2,300 acres of land to create Mt. Pisgah State Park. Howard Buford, planning director for Central Lane County had been instumental in urging McCall to approve the purchase. In 1973 the state leased the park to Lane County and it was renamed the Howard Buford Recreation Area (HBRA). In 1982 ownership was conveyed to Lane County Parks. It is now by far the largest park in the county park system and quickly becoming one of the most popular.
What is the Howard Buford Recreation Area's purpose?
An excerpt from the 1992 Howard Buford Recreation Area's (HBRA) Master Plan states: "The purpose of the HBRA is to provide opportunities for primarily low intensity outdoor recreation and educational activities while protecting, conserving, enhancing and maintaining the natural, scenic, historical, rural and recreational qualities of this large, strategically located regional park." Quite a unique mission for a county park, one devoted primarily to enjoying the natural beauty of the land itself, rather than developed facilities.
Where is Howard Buford Recreation Area?
Buford Park and Mt. Pisgah is southeast of the Eugene/Springfield, Oregon area. It is located approximately 2 miles east of the intersection of 1-5 and 30th Avenue in Eugene. The main entrance and the North and Main Trailheads are accessible off Seavey Loop Drive near the 30th Avenue exit of I-5. This route is well signed. The East Trailhead is located on the east side of the park and accessible off of Ridgeway Road (accessible from Highway 58). See the directions below.
Directions from the North on I-5, Heading South
Take the 30th Avenue (LCC) exit. At the first stoplight, stay to the right, heading south on the road paralleling the freeway, approximately 3/4 mile to another stoplight. Turn left and cross over I-5. Turn left again at the blinking red light. Take the first right just past the gas station onto Franklin Boulevard. (Hwy 99). Go under the railroad bridge. Take the next left onto Seavey Loop Road. Continue east about 2 miles. Cross the bridge spanning the Coast Fork of the Willamette River, entering Howard Buford Recreation Area (Lane County Park.)
Directions To Our Native Plant Nursery and North Trailhead
For the native plant nursery and North Trailhead, turn left after crossing the bridge spanning the Coast Fork of the Willamette River and proceed a 1/4 mile to a gravel parking area. Walk or drive past the big yellow gate (located north of the parking lot) to the nursery. Across the street from the parking lot, a sign kiosk indicates the North Trailhead.
Directions To the Main Trailhead and Mount Pisgah Arboretum Parking Lot
For the Main Trailhead and Mount Pisgah Arboretum parking lot, turn right after crossing the bridge spanning the Coast Fork of the Willamette River and follow the road to a large, 3-level gravel parking area.
Directions From the South on I-5, Heading North
Exit at 30th Avenue and continue straight at the blinking red light. Turn right just past the gas station onto Franklin Boulevard, (Hwy 99.) Go under the railroad bridge. Take the next left onto Seavey Loop Road. Continue east about 1.5 miles. Cross the bridge spanning the Coast Fork of the Willamette River, entering Howard Buford Recreation Area (a Lane County Park.)
Directions From the West through Eugene
Follow 30th Avenue east past Lane Community College and cross over I-5. Turn left at the blinking red light. Take the first right just past the gas station onto Franklin Boulevard, (Hwy 99). Go under the railroad bridge. Take the next left onto Seavey Loop Road. Continue east about 1.5 miles. the bridge spanning the Coast Fork of the Willamette River, entering Howard Buford Recreation Area (a Lane County Park.)
Directions to the East Entrance:
From 30th Avenue, take I-5 south. Exit at Highway 58 heading east toward Pleasant Hill. Follow this road for 3 or 4 miles, until you see the Dairy Queen on your right and a Subway and gas station on your left. TAKE A LEFT JUST BEFORE THE GAS STATION onto Ridgeway Road. Follow Ridgeway Road for about 1.7 miles, winding down the hill to the east. At 1.7 miles, the road takes a hard right and there should be an arrow on the fence in front of you pointing to the right. INSTEAD TURN LEFT into the gravel parking lot.
Parking Passes
A parking pass is required for parking at Buford Park. Parking Fees are $2 per vehicle per day year-round. Day passes can be purchased at the entrance to the main parking lot. Annual passes for Howard Buford Recreation Area can be purchased any time of the year at the Lane County Parks office at 3050 N. Delta Hwy., Eugene, OR 97408, (541) 682-2000. For a complete listing of parking pass vendors, click here.
As a member benefit, donors who contribute $250 or more to Friends of Buford Park & Mt. Pisgah will be sent a Howard Buford Recreation Area pass good for twelve months.
Why is there a parking fee?
The County imposed a parking fee in 2003 on many county parks to generate revenues for all Lane County parks system.
Why can’t Lane County take care of Buford Park?
Lane County Parks has only 7 full-time field staff to manage 73 recreational sites across the county (compared to 32 staff employed in 1980). Lane County is facing severe budget cuts and depends on the staff and volunteers provided by both Friends of Buford Park & Mt Pisgah and the Mt. Pisgah Arboretum to help care for and enhance the park’s habitats and trails.
Why is vandalism of vehicles sometimes a problem at the parking lots?
The number of County park rangers and Sheriff’s deputies has been reduced, and patrols are minimal. This summer, Lane County Parks, in cooperation with Friends of Buford Park & Mt. Pisgah and Mount Pisgah Arboretum, introduced the all-volunteer Mt. Pisgah Park Watch program, aimed at reducing vandalism through increased presence and monitoring. Volunteers can earn a parking pass! Contact Loralyn Spiro at Lane County Parks, 541-682-2002 if you’re interested in assisting with this effort.
What’s the difference between Friends of Buford Park & Mt. Pisgah and Mount Pisgah Arboretum?
Mount Pisgah Arboretum manages a 209-acre leased area within the 2,300-acre Buford Park. Friends of Buford Park & Mt. Pisgah is a separate organization formed to enhance the remaining 2,100 acres in Buford Park and advocate for acquisition of the adjacent 1,200-acre Wildish lands. Though separate organizations, together we help care for Buford Park’s natural and recreational values in partnership with Lane County, the landowner.
Howard Buford Recreation Area is a Lane County Park. For information, contact Lane County Parks at 3050 Delta Hwy., Eugene, Or. 97408 or (541)682-2000, recorded info: (541)682-4414
