Honorary Mention: The Oregon Garden
While not entirely natural-it was created by people, the Oregon Garden near Silverton is spectacular nonetheless.This 80-acre botanical garden contains more than 20 specialty gardens and features. Waterfalls, ponds, and a 400-year old Oak tree are some of the the things visitors see when they come here.
# 7: Salem Hills
Running along the southern edge of Salem towards the village of Marion, the Salem Hills come in at # 7 on our list for amazing vistas, world-class vineyards, and fossil-hunting opportunities. Underlying the soil on the western portion of these hills are fossil -bearing sandstone with shells from between 40 and 32 million years ago--the time when the Willamette Valley was a shallow sea. Below the soil on the the eastern portion of these hills is basalt--a microcrystaline rock that weathers into Jory Soil. That particular soil happens to be perfect for growing wine grapes, which is why Willamette Valley Vineyards is one of Oregon's finest.
#6: Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge
Just south of the Salem Hills, this 2,865-acre refuge is perfect for migrating and wintering waterfowl. With many trails and several observation spots, this spot offers something for the hiker that wants an easy walk to the photographer. As this refuge was created primarily for the birds, it is one of the greatest birdwatching areas this close to Salem.
#5: Bull of the Woods Wilderness
Just east of the Opal Creek Wilderness, this 36,731-acre area comes in at number 5 partly because it is shared with Clackamas County. Many trails and gravel roads crisscross this wilderness that is home to many lakes and 4,500+ foot mountains. Be sure to watch for black bears, cougars, and coyotes if you plan on going backpacking, though it is rare to see one.
#4: Santiam Canyon
Named for the North Santiam River, which is the boundary between Marion and Linn counties, this canyon boasts many recreational opportunities. For the Whitewater Rafter and Kayaker, the North Santiam River is perfect for those who do not want to travel outside the Willamnette Valley. A group can run it in a single day by putting in at Packsaddle Park upstream from Gates and take out at the North Santiam state Recreation Area. One of the rapids that paddlers go over is the falls at Mill City-which is but a small drop. Many camping areas dot the river, including the Fisherman's Bend Campground and the Detroit Lake State Park-which supports water recreation opportunities from boating to fishing. At the western end of this canyon, and north of Mehama, are three waterfalls-Shellburg, Stasel, and Stout Creek.
#3: Opal Creek Wilderness
Bordering the northern edge of the Santiam Canyon, the Opal Creek Wilderness preserves 20,454 acres of pristine, old-growth forest. With many pools along the Little North Santiam River and Opal Creek, it is a destination for those in the Willamette Valley wishing to escape the summer heat. Many trails offer hikers opportunities to explore parts of this wilderness without all of the crowds that state parks get. One of these trails takes hikes to phantom bridge-a natural bridge unique to western Oregon.
#2: Mount Jefferson Wilderness
While most of this 104,523-acre wilderness is located south of Marion County, some of the most scenic is located within Marion County. One such scenic place is known as Jefferson Park. This high-mountain region is a backpackers playground featuring ridges and valleys, small lakes and streams and amazing up-front views of the north side of Mount Jefferson.
#1 Silver Falls State Park
South Falls
At over 9,000 acres, this park showcases 10 waterfalls year round and many more from December to April. Some of the recreational opportunities include biking, fishing, riding horses, birdwatching, swimming, and of course hiking. With it's proximity to Salem, it is the number one most visited park in Oregon with over a million visitors annually-compared to half a million that visit Crater Lake National Park. To find out more about this park, check out my series 'The Story of Silver Falls State Park' here: The Story Of Silver Falls State Park
You can also find more information at the Main Lodge.
Hi Jonathan, thanks so much for including us on your list, with all of these other beautiful places in the area!
ReplyDeleteNo problem, I plan on going there this Spring.
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