Just came here to say that the bugs were really really bad.

Hiked with two 7-year-olds and were pleased with the conditions and the length of the hike - perfect for our outing.  We were welcomed by thousands of tiny baby frogs all along the first part of the trail.  The middle section we dubbed Banana Slug alley and the last section was filled with wild flowers.  

This is a super little trail especially when you only have time for a quick outing on a hot day.  Just four or five other groups on the wide gravel trail today.  In some places the trail is a bit overgrown so you will still need to keep masks handy, looking at you dog walkers.  Always something new to look at when you hike and today it was frogs, hundreds of tiny frogs hopping across the trail near the first two culverts on the road side of the lake trail.  I had to walk very slowly to make sure there were no casualties.

Although the trail has plenty of shade it was still pretty warm which makes taking the spur trail down to the river a nice option if you have time to stop to dip your toes.  A quiet older couple were installed on the bank there reading, so I left them to their solitude.  Less than an hour round trip then it was back off home for chores.

Restrooms open and stocked.

Oxbow Loop is a beautiful, easy, and quaint trail. We arrived by 8am and a couple other people started to arrive then as well. However, we did not encounter anyone on the trail until the very last stretch. We saw a few different types of snails, woodpeckers and other birds, and mushrooms. There are a number of cute tree stump-like benches throughout the trail. 

The mosquitos were awful for the majority of the hike. We had bug spray but it barely helped. It was really too bad because it was such a pretty and relaxing hike that had great views, but we rushed through because of the bugs. 

This was a great hike for families with little ones, I highly recommend it! The distance and elevation make it an easy hike and there are views at various points all around the loop making it easy to stop, enjoy the views, rest and have a snack! The trail was pretty quiet for a weekend afternoon, we saw maybe two other hikers on the trail. The directions from this site take you to the first parking lot for this hike. If you go a little further to the next parking lot, it adds .2 miles to the hike, but the view from that stretch is gorgeous!