🎯BoredInSalem

🌲 Outdoor

Discover places to go in Salem, Oregon

Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge

Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge

Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge is near the Santiam and Willamette rivers. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service lists free access from dawn to dusk. On October 26, 2026, its site said the Rail Trail boardwalk was closed until further notice and seasonal trails had closed September 30. The Pintail-Egret Marsh Boardwalk Trail is listed as open year-round. Check current trail notices before leaving; not every route is available in winter.

2301 Wintel Rd, Jefferson, OR 97352

Photo: Drew, Aaron D. - U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service · Public domain. Cropped to fit; photo remains under this license.

Arrowhead Lavender Farm & Co.

Arrowhead Lavender Farm is at 6373 Sunnyview Rd NE in Salem. On October 26, 2026, the operator said it was closed for the season, with fall and winter visits by appointment only. Call or text the farm before going. Do not assume the fields are open or in bloom outside the visiting season.

6373 Sunnyview Rd. NE, Salem, OR

Black Rock Mountain Bike Area

Black Rock is a mountain-bike trail system near Falls City. The trail association warns that renovations have changed features and lists routes ranging from an all-levels skills area to expert-only trails. Review the current trail descriptions and scout features before riding. This is not a general recommendation for a beginner family bike ride.

Black Rock Rd., Falls City, OR

Buena Vista Cycling Route

A regional cycling route through the area west of Salem. Review the route map, road conditions and distances before riding. The listed contact address is not a verified trailhead.

116 Marion St. NE, Salem, OR

Open meadow and mature trees in Bush's Pasture Park, Salem.

Bush's Pasture Park

A sprawling 90-acre urban park with hiking trails, rose gardens, a historic house, playgrounds, and a stunning art center. A green oasis in central Salem.

600 Mission St SE, Salem, OR 97302

Photo: M.O. Stevens · Public domain. Cropped to fit; photo remains under this license.

-Photo by Kathy Munsel, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife- A great family fishing destination within the Cascade Gateway Park near the Salem airport. Open year round. Stocked with trout from Apri

Cascades Gateway Park

A city park in southeast Salem. Check current city access notices and facility availability before planning a picnic or group activity. A park listing does not confirm that every amenity is currently open.

2100 Turner Rd. SE, Salem, OR

Photo: Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife · CC BY-SA 2.0. Cropped to fit; photo remains under this license.

Champoeg is a former town in the U.S. state of Oregon. Now a ghost town, it was an important settlement in the Willamette Valley in the early 1840s. Located halfway between Oregon City and Salem, it w

Champoeg State Heritage Area

Full hookups, electrical, tent sites, rustic cabins, hiker/biker camp, group picnic areas, visitors center, historical attractions, meeting hall, amphitheater.

7679 Champoeg Rd. NE, Saint Paul, OR

Photo: Rick Obst · CC BY 2.0. Cropped to fit; photo remains under this license.

Dallas City Park - Dallas, Oregon

Dallas City Park

Dallas City Park Disc Golf Course is an excellently maintained 4,697 foot course. All 18 holes have concrete tee boxes, and provide mild difficulty for players.

501 SW Levens St., Dallas, OR

Photo: Dougtone · CC BY-SA 2.0. Cropped to fit; photo remains under this license.

Dancing Oaks Nursery and Gardens

Dancing Oaks is a nursery and display-garden destination near Monmouth. Its website offers plants and invites visitors to see mature specimens in the gardens. Confirm visiting hours, seasonal access and plant availability before traveling.

17900 Priem Rd., Monmouth, OR

eNRG Kayaking

A paddling outfitter in Mill City. Confirm the trip location, experience requirements, equipment and cancellation terms with the operator. River conditions and suitability vary by trip.

115 NE Wall St, Mill City, OR

The Gallon House Bridge, the last of Marion County's original covered bridges, is located over Abiqua Creek a little more than a mile northwest of Silverton. The name Gallon House was due to the bridg

Gallon House Covered Bridge

Gallon House Bridge crosses Abiqua Creek a little more than a mile northwest of Silverton. Marion County identifies it as a covered bridge built in 1916. The old generic Salem address is not a navigation destination. Check the exact route, current road access and safe stopping places before visiting.

Photo: Sandy Horvath-Dori from Grand Junction, CO, USA · CC BY 2.0. Cropped to fit; photo remains under this license.

Historic Downtown Salem Cycling Route

A cycling route through downtown Salem, rather than an off-street park trail. Review the route, traffic conditions and crossing arrangements before deciding whether it suits your group.

Recreational dock on the Willamette River at Keizer Rapids Park, Keizer, Oregon, United States.

Keizer Rapids Park

Disc golf, Big TOY playground, outdoor amphitheater with reserved seating for 400, sand volleyball court, disc golf, two dog parks, fishing, cycling, boat ramp.

1900 Chemawa Rd. NE, Keizer, OR

Photo: Ian Poellet · CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped to fit; photo remains under this license.

Left Coast Estate

Left Coast Estate is a vineyard, winery and working farm in Rickreall. Its website lists a tasting room and cafe and offers reservations and scheduled experiences. Confirm which walking areas are available on your visiting date rather than treating the entire estate as public parkland.

4225 N Pacific Hwy W, Rickreall, OR

Main Street Park

A community park in downtown Monmouth with green space, playground, and gathering areas that host local events throughout the year.

120 Main St. E, Monmouth, OR

Slough with tree reflections at Minto-Brown Island Park, Salem (file title credits Robin Marshburn; uploaded via the Oregon Department of Transportation Flickr account).

Minto-Brown Island Park

1,200-acre urban park with nearly 30 miles of trails, meadows, river paths, and excellent birdwatching. Larger than Central Park in New York.

2200 Minto Island Rd SE, Salem, OR

Photo: Oregon Department of Transportation (photo credited in title to Robin Marshburn) · CC BY 2.0. Cropped to fit; photo remains under this license.

Mission Street Parks Conservancy

A nonprofit stewarding Salem's historic Bush's Pasture Park and Deepwood, preserving green spaces, heritage gardens, and native oak habitat for the community to enjoy.

600 Mission St. SE, Salem, OR

Orchard Heights Park

A forested West Salem community park with a one-mile partially paved loop trail creating a secluded atmosphere. Also features basketball, tennis, and pickleball courts.

1165 Orchard Heights Rd NW, Salem, OR 97304

Oregon Scenic Bikeway

A regional cycling-route listing. Use the route manager's current map to choose a segment and check distance, traffic and road conditions. This is not a single Salem attraction with a staffed entrance.

Ritner Creek bridge was the last covered bridge on an Oregon state highway. In 1976, the bridge was lifted from its foundation and relocated just downstream of its original site and replaced by a conc

Ritner Creek Covered Bridge

A historic covered-bridge stop in Polk County. Check the exact road location and current access before traveling. Plan safe parking rather than stopping in the roadway for photographs.

South on Hwy 223, 2 miles past Pedee, Monmouth, OR

Photo: Sandy Horvath-Dori from Grand Junction, CO, USA · CC BY 2.0. Cropped to fit; photo remains under this license.

Ritner Cycling Loop

The current route linked by Travel Salem is Western Valley: Ritner Creek Covered Bridge. Its route description starts at Main Street Park in Monmouth, rather than the Independence start in the older directory text. Review the current map, hills, traffic and distance before riding; this is a regional road ride, not a short park loop.

River Mountain RV Park

River Mountain RV Park is in Idanha, outside the immediate Salem area. Its operator lists RV and tent sites plus cabin and trailer rentals, with seasonal booking information. Confirm a reservation, directions and current road conditions before traveling.

577 Mountain Ave SE., Idanha, OR

View from Salem Riverfront Park across the Willamette River toward the Center Street and Marion Street bridges in autumn colour.

Riverfront Park

A beautiful 26-acre park along the Willamette River with walking paths, the Peter Courtney Minto Island Bridge, splash pad, amphitheater, and carousel.

200 Water St NE, Salem, OR 97301

Photo: Sheila Sund · CC BY 2.0. Cropped to fit; photo remains under this license.

Salem Pioneer Cemetery in Salem

Salem Pioneer Cemetery

A historic cemetery in Salem. Check the visitor rules and entrances, stay on permitted paths and respect any services or memorial visits taking place.

Photo: M.O. Stevens at en.wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0. Cropped to fit; photo remains under this license.

Schreiner's Gardens

An iris-growing business and seasonal garden destination near Salem. Check display-garden opening dates and ticket requirements before traveling; flowering and visitor access are seasonal.

3625 Quinaby Rd. NE, Salem, OR

Silver Falls State Park is a state park in the U.S. state of Oregon, located near Silverton, about 20 miles (32 km) east-southeast of Salem. It is the largest state park in Oregon with an area of more

Silver Falls State Park

Silver Falls State Park offers waterfall walks, hiking and camping near Silverton. Oregon State Parks describes the Trail of Ten Falls and other routes with different distances and conditions. Check current alerts, trail access, parking requirements and weather before leaving. Do not assume every route suits every visitor.

24678 Silver Falls Hwy SE, Silverton, OR 97381

Photo: RickObst · CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped to fit; photo remains under this license.

Silverton Historic Walking Tour

Come discover historic Silverton, founded in 1854. Over 15 residences, businesses and churches are included in this walking tour.

Silverton Chamber of Commerce, 426 S Water St, Silverton, OR

Silverton Reservoir & Marine Park

A reservoir recreation area near Silverton. Check the park manager's current access, parking and water-use rules before going. Weather and seasonal conditions can affect the visit.

4381 Silver Falls Dr. NE, Silverton, OR

Stayton-6 Bridges Cycling Loop

A regional cycling route around Stayton and Scio. Review the current map and road conditions and choose a distance that fits your experience. A covered-bridge route is not automatically a traffic-free family ride.

798 E Florence St., Stayton, OR

Prior to 1986, the Jordan Bridge spanned Thomas Creek in neighboring Linn County several miles east of Scio. The original bridge location had once been the site for a dam, a cheese factory, two mills

Stayton-Jordan Covered Bridge

A covered-bridge stop at Pioneer Park in Stayton. Confirm park access and the route before traveling, particularly when weather may affect local paths.

450 N 7th Ave., Stayton, OR

Photo: Sandy Horvath-Dori from Grand Junction, CO, USA · CC BY 2.0. Cropped to fit; photo remains under this license.

The Bike Peddler

A bicycle shop in downtown Salem. Contact the shop to confirm current repair, fitting or rental services and availability before planning around them.

174 Commercial St NE, Salem, OR

Oregon Garden - Silverton, Oregon, USA.

The Oregon Garden

The Oregon Garden is a botanical-garden destination in Silverton with specialty gardens, including children's and pet-friendly garden areas. Check the operator's current hours, admission rules and event calendar before visiting. Access to the nearby Gordon House is arranged separately.

879 W Main St, Silverton, OR

Photo: Daderot · CC0. Cropped to fit; photo remains under this license.

The Salem Railroad Bridge on a sunny November day. The bridge was turned into a pedestrian/bicycle path in a project funded in part with federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds.

Union Street Railroad Pedestrian & Bicycle Bridge

A former railroad bridge used by pedestrians and cyclists in Salem. Check city access notices and the connecting route before setting out. Allow room for other path users.

Union St NE, Salem, OR

Photo: Oregon Department of Transportation · CC BY 2.0. Cropped to fit; photo remains under this license.

West Cascades Scenic Byway

A breathtaking scenic drive winding through the forests, rivers, and mountain landscapes of the western Cascades, offering waterfalls, hot springs, and endless outdoor recreation.

"Ghost Houses" commemorating the Willamette Mission at Willamette Mission State Park, Wheatland, Oregon, United States

Willamette Mission State Park

Willamette Mission State Park offers walking, birdwatching, horseback riding and disc golf north of Salem. Oregon State Parks lists seasonal limits on camping and reservable facilities. Check current alerts, parking requirements and access for the activity you want before leaving.

10991 Wheatland Rd NE, Gervais, OR 97026

Photo: Katr67 · Public domain. Cropped to fit; photo remains under this license.

Willamette River Water Trail

A paddling route along the Willamette River offering canoeists and kayakers access points, camps, and scenic stretches through the heart of the valley.

Woodburn Recreation & Parks

Woodburn's parks and recreation service, not one attraction. Find the individual park, class or event you want and confirm its location and any registration requirements.

270 Montgomery St., Woodburn, OR

Woodmansee Park & Disc Golf

A Salem park listed with disc golf. Check current park and course access before visiting, and bring your own equipment unless rental availability has been confirmed.

4629 Sunnyside Road SE, Salem, OR