Outdoor Activities

GET OUTSIDE

If you’re looking to get out in nature, you’ve come to the right place. Take advantage of Benton County’s mild seasons with an outdoor adventure that suits your style, whether it’s hiking to take in the views, biking through rugged forests, sightseeing and exploring the outdoors or diving into water sports like fishing, kayaking and swimming.

Hikes

Enjoy miles of multi-use trails great for hiking in Corvallis and Benton County, with some offering expansive views, scenic strolls through natural areas and parks, meadows of wildflowers and more. Before heading outside, the first stop for prospective hikers should be The Right Trail website at therighttrail.org. You’ll find several hiking options for the mid-Willamette Valley, including options specifically for families or those with dogs, and an interactive map to explore the area. Still not sure which hikes might be right for you? Here are a few suggestions to get you started.

McDonald, Dunn, Peavy and Chip Ross Park

McDonald Forest, Dunn Forest and Peavy Arboretum provide a vast network of hiking trails through mature forests about fifteen minutes north of Corvallis. Take Dan’s Trail, which meanders 2.5 miles through the forest to the top of Dimple Hill, where you’ll find beautiful views of Corvallis and the Cascade mountains. The nearby Chip Ross Park also boasts lovely views over Corvallis.

Chip Ross Park

Fitton Green Natural Area

Bald Hill Natura l Are a

West Summit Trail

In the Bald Hill Natural Area west of Corvallis is the dog-friendly West Summit Trail, winding a half-mile through mixed canopy forest up to a breathtaking view of Corvallis and the Willamette Valley. Though the trail is less than a mile out and back, it has a moderately steep elevation gain of 235 feet, which is likely enough to get your heart pumping.

Alsea Falls Recreation Area

Make the forty-five minute drive southwest of town and experience the reward of both the twenty-foot Alsea Falls and the sixty-foot Green Peak Falls. A 2.8-mile out-andback trail winds through old growth forests and passes by both waterfalls. Look for blooming rhododendrons, dogwoods and Oregon grapes along the way.

Alsea Falls Recreation Area

Mountain, town and gravel biking

If two wheels sounds better than two legs, most of the same trails are fit for a mountain bike, too. On The Right Trail website, search for trail options by use, and plan your bike outing. If you don’t have a bike or left it at home, there’s no need to worry. Bike rentals are available from Peak Sports downtown, which offers both mountain bikes and cruisers for adults and children. They even have tandem bikes for a playful duo looking to hit the streets together—or a lazy rider looking to get out of pedaling much. Looking to make a big day out of biking? Check out the hundreds of gravel miles in and around Benton County. The unpaved routes and loops for gravel biking are endless.

Stop by any bike shop or the Visitor Center to pick up a bike trail map, or go to the Visit Corvallis website or the AllTrails app for more cycling info.

Jump in

With summer temperatures in the 80s or low 90s, cooling off in the water is sometimes the only outdoor activity that sounds right.

With both the Willamette River and Marys River winding through town, there is a variety of swimming holes in the Corvallis area. Two good places to jump into Marys River are at the Marys River Natural Area off SW Brooklane Drive and at Pioneer Park, where there’s a sandy beach. Also check out the nearby Avery Park, which is great for children and dogs, and has a rope swing into the river.

About 16 miles south of Corvallis is Irish Bend Park, a great place for a picnic, camping and a swimming hole to dip in the Willamette River.

For a less nature-y option, try the Osborn Aquatic Center in Corvallis, which boasts four swimming pools both indoors and outdoors and Otter Beach, an outdoor water park with a waterslide, toys and more. Admission is just $3-$6.

Os born Aquatic Center

Willamette River Water Trail

Grab your paddle and personal flotation device, and get ready for an adventure. The Willamette River Water Trail is 187 miles of assembled properties that provide access to the river for campers and paddlers. The trail flows through forests, meadows, parks, farms and cities large and small.

Take an hour, afternoon or multiple days to explore the river on your preferred craft. Options include canoe, kayak, SUP, raft or drift boat. Several local outfitters and guides offer paddlesport sales, rentals and instructions before you head out.

There are about fifty campsites to choose from along the trail. River etiquette is to be courteous, respect private property and leave no trace, including human waste. Leave camp better than you found it to ensure the trail is around for generations to come.

Prepare for an excursion by heading to the key resource for aiding in trip planning and sharing river hazard information—willamettewatertrail.org. Here you can find information on the required Waterway Access Permits (WAP), itinerary inspiration and recommended packing lists—including a PFD and proper gear for river safety. The site offers downloadable maps to help identify campsites (first come, first serve), learn knowledge on the river features, find info about shuttling and provide history and information as you paddle the river.

Willamette River