Oak Creek Trailhead Webcam – Check McDonald Forest Parking

The Oak Creek Trailhead Webcam looks over the parking lot at the Oak Creek entrance to Oregon State University’s McDonald-Dunn Research Forest, on the northwest edge of Corvallis, Oregon. The access road curves into the frame past two green wooden buildings and a lawn under tall conifers, while parked cars line the right side of the lot and a yield sign marks the far end. Oak Creek is one of the forest’s busiest entrances, and OSU’s own recreation page tells visitors to check this camera for open spaces before they set out, because the lot fills quickly at peak times, including weekends. It also tracks the seasons at the forest edge, from wet winter pavement to autumn leaves on the grass.

About Oak Creek Trailhead

The trailhead lies on Northwest Oak Creek Drive, about 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) northwest of the OSU campus in a straight line, at roughly 157 meters (515 feet) above sea level. That is about twice the elevation of downtown Corvallis, which stands at 78 meters (256 feet). The same road leads to OSU’s Oak Creek Laboratory of Biology. OSU names Oak Creek and Lewisburg Saddle as the two forest lots most prone to congestion, which is why this camera exists at all.

The McDonald-Dunn Research Forest covers 11,500 acres (about 4,650 hectares) and is the largest of OSU’s research and demonstration forests. Its story began in 1926, when the university acquired its first parcel, a mostly cutover tract that is now Peavy Arboretum, so 2026 marks the forest’s centennial. Donations and acquisitions added the rest over the following decades. The College of Forestry still runs it as a working forest, where research plots, student fieldwork and timber harvests share the ground with more than 35 miles (56 kilometers) of trails and 110 miles (177 kilometers) of roads.

The forest draws more than 200,000 visits a year, which makes it one of the most heavily used outdoor recreation areas in the region. A new management plan more than triples the area being steered toward older forest conditions, from about 350 acres (140 hectares) to more than 1,100 acres (445 hectares). During harvest operations OSU has at times reduced the number of spaces at Oak Creek so that log trucks can get through.

Weather and Climate at Oak Creek Trailhead

Corvallis has wet winters and dry summers, and the NOAA station on the OSU campus gives a fair guide to the trailhead, which sits about 80 meters (260 feet) higher. January averages highs of 9°C (47°F) and lows of 1°C (34°F), with rain on about 21 days of the month. December is the wettest month at 196 millimeters (7.7 inches), out of roughly 1,095 millimeters (43 inches) a year. Snow is rare in the valley, averaging about 7 centimeters (2.9 inches) a year at the campus station, so the winter view is usually green grass, wet asphalt and dark conifers rather than white.

Spring warms slowly, with April highs of 16°C (61°F) and lows near 4°C (40°F), and the bare deciduous trees on the left of the frame leaf out again. July and August are dry and warm, with average highs of 28°C to 29°C (83°F to 84°F), lows around 11°C (52°F) and only about 9 millimeters (0.3 inches) of rain in July. October highs average 18°C (65°F). By mid-November the lawn in front of the camera is covered in fallen yellow and brown leaves.

Things to Do Near Oak Creek Trailhead

The trail network is the reason the lot fills. OSU’s trail guide describes about 30 trails, from the 0.5-mile (0.8-kilometer) Old Growth trail to the 3.3-mile (5.3-kilometer) Section 36 Loop, which is open to walkers only. Dan’s Trail runs in three sections totaling about 3.1 miles (4.9 kilometers) and is open to hikers, bikers and horse riders, while the dirt Vineyard Mountain and Calloway Creek trails take bikes only between April 15 and October 31.

If the camera shows a full lot, OSU suggests starting at Peavy Arboretum instead, which has ample parking and several connections into the same trail system. The arboretum is the forest’s original 1926 parcel and its main gateway, with a pond for picnics, the 1.2-mile (1.9-kilometer) William Ferrell Forest Discovery Trail and the George Brown Logging Sports Arena. Back in town, the OSU campus is worth a walk: its Memorial Union opened in 1928 as the first student union in Oregon, and the university runs a live camera there too.

Similar Webcams You Might Like

More cameras from Oregon campuses and the state’s outdoor spots:

• Oregon State University Webcam
• Eastern Oregon University Webcam
• Smith Rock Webcam

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the Oak Creek Trailhead located?

It is on Northwest Oak Creek Drive at the edge of OSU’s McDonald-Dunn Research Forest in Benton County, Oregon. The lot is about 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) northwest of the OSU campus in Corvallis, a city of 59,922 people at the 2020 census.

What can you see on the Oak Creek Trailhead Webcam?

The camera looks along the lot’s entrance road, with two green wooden buildings and a lawn on the left, parked cars along the right and tall conifers behind. A caption bar across the top of the image shows the camera name and the local time of the shot, so you can tell how recent the view is.

Is the Oak Creek parking lot full right now?

The camera is the quickest way to tell. OSU asks visitors to check it before driving up, since Oak Creek and Lewisburg Saddle fill quickly at peak times, including weekends. If the lot is full, choose another entrance such as Peavy Arboretum or come back later. Park only where permitted and keep driveways, gates and roads clear, because illegally parked vehicles may be ticketed and towed.

What is the weather like at the Oak Creek Trailhead?

Winters are cool and wet, with January highs around 9°C (47°F) and rain on about 21 days of the month. Summers are dry, with July highs near 28°C (83°F) and less than 1 centimeter (0.4 inches) of rain in the whole month.

What are the McDonald-Dunn Forest hours?

OSU Research Forest hours are 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Log trucks and other authorized vehicles use the forest roads and have the right of way.

Are dogs allowed in McDonald-Dunn Forest?

Yes. Dogs must be under full control at all times, on a leash or by voice command, and owners must pick up and properly dispose of their dog’s waste.

Can you ride an e-bike in McDonald Forest?

No. OSU bans motorized devices on all forest roads and trails, including every class of electric bicycle. Ordinary mountain bikes are allowed on many trails, though some dirt trails such as Extendo and Vineyard Mountain take bikes only from April 15 to October 31.

Who operates the Oak Creek Trailhead Webcam?

Oregon State University runs it as part of its public webcam network, which also covers the Memorial Union, the Valley Library and Marys Peak.

Source: Oregon State University Webcams