salem’s rich heritage

The Mid-Willamette Valley is a prime example of how Oregon’s heritage is accessible and woven into every aspect of its present. You can see the history in the land itself — in the buildings, bridges, farms and cultures that make the Salem region the special place it is today. From the floods that created its fertile land to the iron-willed settlers who farmed it, and from the grand architecture of the Capitol building after Oregon statehood in 1859 to the hundreds of historic buildings in the area — the forces that have made Oregon what it is today can all easily be explored through walking tours around Salem and short day trips in the region.

As the original home of pioneerentrepreneur Asahel Bush and his family from 1878 to 1953, Bush House Museum at Bush’s Pasture Park preserves Salem’s history. The 100-acre farmstead is a portion of the donation land claim established on the ancestral lands of the Kalapuya Tribe in the early 1840s. Visitors can explore the Bush Conservatory and its surrounding nature trails and beautiful rose gardens.

Just next door is Deepwood Museum & Gardens, a historic Queen Anne home situated in a 5-acre public park with formal gardens, nature trails, a greenhouse and an original carriage house. Visitors can hike the easy Rita Steiner Frye Nature Trail, which leads to Pringle Creek and separates Deepwood from Bush’s Pasture Park.

A dive into Salem heritage isn’t complete without a stroll around the Capitol Mall, which features dozens of statues and monuments that commemorate Oregon’s history. Pick up a self-guided walking map and explore the fountains, the 33-foot World War II memorial and the tribal walk of flags, which pays tribute to the nine federally recognized tribes in Oregon. Look or climb up to see the 23-foot, gold-gilded statue of the “Oregon Pioneer,” also known as the “Gold Man,” perched above the Capitol dome.

Just blocks east of the Capitol, the Salem Downtown Historic District showcases more than 40 preserved buildings from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Don’t miss the architectural details in this seven-block district, constructed from bricks made at the state prison between 1880 and 1930. Keep your eyes peeled for purple tiles on the ground. These are skylights from the underground tunnel system of the 1800s. Early settlers used these tunnels to transport goods and to build an underground swimming pool and even a bowling alley.

Visitors can step back in time at the 5-acre Willamette Heritage Center, where 14 historic structures and exhibits offer peeks into the lives of the Euro-American missionaries and immigrants who settled in the MidWillamette Valley in the 1840s.

About 15 miles east of Salem in Silverton, founded in 1854, visitors can see more than 15 homes, businesses and churches on the Silverton Historic Walking Tour. The 84-foot-long Gallon House Bridge, which was built in 1916 and so named because it was a meeting place for moonshiners during Prohibition, is the oldest covered bridge in Marion County.

In neighboring Saint Benedict, take a moment to be mindful at Mount Angel Abbey, a Romanesque-style abbey church where monks currently live and work. Listen for the bell tower that calls the monks to prayer — it has the largest free-swinging bells on the West Coast. Stop in for a beverage at Benedictine Brewery’s taproom, which offers its own beer, cider and snacks, with outdoor seating available.

Pedal Power

From coasting on scenic country lanes to legendary offroad mountain rides, the Mid-Willamette Valley offers nonstop fun for cyclists on paved, dirt or gravel trails. In Salem Minto-Brown Island Park has 29 miles of biking trails on nine loops that roll through lush woodland areas. North of Salem, Willamette Mission State Park offers cyclists 5 miles through the region’s agricultural heritage, passing hazelnut orchards, hop fields and farmland.

The 134-mile Willamette Valley Scenic Bikeway, the first of its kind in the country, starts at Champoeg State Heritage Area, located about 30 miles north of Salem. The park’s popular family-friendly bike path winds through 4 miles of lush forest with Willamette River views and the option to stop for ice cream at the historic (circa 1863) Butteville Store. During the month of August, Eola Hills Wine Cellars offers guided Bike Oregon Wine Country tours that include wine tastings, a ferry ride, a coveredbridge crossing, and 45- and 70-mile route options. If an off-road pedal adventure is more your style, the

Salem Area Trail Alliance maintains four mountain biking locations, including the Geer Bike Park & Trail Facility; Croisan Creek and Skyline Trail; and one of the state’s newest rides, the Spring Valley Trail, with three short loops through native woodlands.

The alliance also maintains the Catamount Trail, which meanders through the lush evergreen forest of Silver Falls State Park near Silverton with turns, berms and rock features that are exhilarating yet approachable. The connecting beginner-friendly Newt Loop provides skill stations and mild climbs along the packed-dirt singletrack. Beginning and ending in the small town of Independence, the 45-mile Ritner Cycling Loop guides cyclists through some of Polk County’s most scenic landscapes, including the Ritner Creek Covered Bridge. Get set to catch some air in the spectacular coastal range riding the Black Rock Intro Loop — it’s a paradise for freeride mountain bikers with a series of summiting trails that includes well-designed jumps, berms and wooden features.

Trails And Waterfall Hikes

The Mid-Willamette Valley is a wonderland of waterfalls and evergreen old-growth forests. Whether you like your hikes backdropped with vineyards or with glorious spruce and ponderosa pine forests, there’s a hike near Salem to explore. For one of the most enchanting hikes in the state, head to Silver Falls State Park, a temperate rain forest east of Salem. Wind along the mossy and fern-draped Trail of Ten Falls, a famous 7.6-mile trek that passes 10 magnificent waterfalls, from the shimmering 177-foot South Falls to the classic Winter Falls.

Abiqua Falls is part of the same geological formation as the waterfalls at Silver Falls State Park, and the 1-mile loop trail rewards your hard efforts with a nearly perfect 92-foot waterfall set amid a spectacular basalt amphitheater. Note the trail is steep and can be treacherous, especially in wet conditions.

For an easy riverside loop, try the Willamette Mission

Trail north of Salem and you’ll get to see the nation’s largest black-cottonwood tree, nearly 300 years old. Check out the nearby Wheatland Ferry for a novelty river crossing (pedestrians ride free). The ferry landing is the oldest in Oregon and dates back to 1944.

In Salem the Fairview Wetlands Trail spotlights native flora and fauna on a family-friendly 1.2-mile loop, while the 1.5-mile Salem Heritage Trees Walk explores four of the city’s ancient heritage trees throughout the downtown area. Take in the region’s picturesque wine country at Left Coast Estate in Rickreall, where you can pair awardwinning wines and hiking (some call it “wiking”) with a 1.5-mile trail that winds through vineyards, forest and native oak savannah.

No matter which hike or waterfall you decide to lace up for, please remember to leave the trails pristine by packing out everything you packed in.

Water Experiences

Running through Salem and connecting several scenic towns, the Willamette River presents an opportunity to take a liquid mode of transportation to explore the region. Think of the 187-mile Willamette Water Trail as a hiking trail on water. Grab a stand-up paddleboard, kayak or canoe and float your way through forests, meadows, parks and farms. A few of the most popular “put-in” points in the area are Wallace Marine Park in Salem and Keizer Rapids Park in Keizer, as well as Independence’s Riverview Park. Step ashore and hike, picnic or spend the night at a campsite. A permit is required for paddle craft 10 feet or longer.

Just south of Salem, Turner City Park offers ample parking, a sizable family picnic area and access to the calm waters of Mill Creek, perfect for swimming or beginner paddling. The 65-acre Silverton Marine Park is located just outside of Silverton, about 20 miles east of Salem. A popular fishing spot with a boat ramp and pier, the lake is a great place to swim, kayak and picnic with the family. Gas motors aren’t allowed on the lake, which is nice if you’re looking for quiet.

For more experienced paddlers, Salem Kayak Rentals runs a half-day tour from Salem to San Salvador Beach northwest of Salem. The rental and tour company has a popular sunset tour that lasts into the evening. Paddle a lit-up kayak into the moonlight and take in the lights of the Peter Courtney Minto Island Bridge.

Santiam River Territory

East of Salem, the Santiam River Territory is coveted for its hiking, fishing, camping, birding and water sports on Detroit Lake and the North Santiam River. This area is rebuilding after devastating wildfires in 2020, but there are still some great experiences open to visitors. Consider boating on Detroit Lake; camping at Silver Falls or North Santiam State Park; rafting and fishing on the North Santiam River; or hiking to Pamelia Lake (permit needed in summer), a lovely 2.2-mile hike that connects with the longer Grizzly Peak Trail

If you plan to take to the water, remember to make safety a top priority. Never paddle alone and always wear a properly fitting life jacket. Wear bright colors to ensure you’re seen by other boaters, and be courteous in sharing the waterway.

TIP Whenever you’re out adventuring, make sure to follow Leave No Trace principles: If you pack it in, pack it out; leave the natural beauty you discover behind for others to enjoy; and respect wildlife and all trail users. If you bring Fido on the trail, keep her on-leash where designated. Weather in the Willamette Valley is generally mild but sometimes wet and chilly, so don’t forget to wear layers, sturdy shoes and sunglasses, and bring plenty of water. Before you go, check to see if your site requires a day-use parking fee or permit. Learn more at OregonStateParks.org, and visit MyODFW.com for details on licenses, regulations, stocking tables and family fishing events.