Willamette Valley South PLAY
Table of Contents
Story and photos by June Russell-Chamberlin (unless otherwise indicated)
Wine Tasting
In the southern half of the Willamette Valley, quiet country roads lead to artisan family-owned wineries and award-winning wine. Pinot noir put Oregon Wine Country on the map, but area vineyards also produce chardonnay, pinot gris and other varietals. The best guides to sipping exceptional wine in both urban and country tasting rooms are the South Willamette Wine Trail (SWWT) and the Heart of Willamette Wineries (HOWW). The SWWT features more than two dozen wineries south of Monroe, Oregon; the HOWW shines the spotlight on 16 wineries north of Monroe.
Find details about SWWT wineries at the Eugene, Cascades & Coast Visitor Centers website. The HOWW website at www.heartofwillamette.com provides a guide and seasonal passport. Tasting room hours vary; be sure to call ahead if you plan to visit.
Cottage Grove Covered Bridge Tour
Stunning scenery, crystal-clear rivers and a dose of nostalgia await at the six covered bridges in and near Cottage Grove, Oregon. The 20-mile (32-kilometer) Oregon Scenic Byway loops around Dorena Reservoir and includes Lane County’s oldest covered bridge and the only remaining covered railroad bridge west of the Mississippi. Pick up details on this self-guided tour at the Cottage Grove Chamber of Commerce or find maps and bridge information online at the Eugene, Cascades & Coast Visitor Center website or the Travel Oregon website. Expect to spend one to two hours touring the bridges.
McDowell Creek Falls
With three Instagram-worthy waterfalls along an easy 1.7-mile loop, McDowell Creek Falls offers even casual hikers and families a year-round excuse to play in the woods. Located 10 miles from Sweet Home, Oregon, the crystal clear creek tumbles through a verdant forest canyon filled with big leaf maples, Douglas firs and alders. Watch for trillium, bleeding heart and other wildflowers from the wooden platforms, stairways and gravel trails. Summer can leave the waterfalls a bit wispy; for the most impressive display, visit in the spring or in the fall after the rain begins.
43170 McDowell Creek Drive, Lebanon, Oregon
Eugene Ale Trail
Beer fans rejoiced with the creation of the Eugene Ale Trail, which guides beer enthusiasts to more than 20 craft breweries and cideries. Don’t miss the cluster of breweries in the Whiteaker neighborhood, which includes such heavyweights as Ninkasi Brewing, Oakshire Brewing and Hop Valley Brewing Company. Many of the breweries also offer pizza, burgers or other tasty eats. Find a map and guide online at Eugenecascadescoast.org or pick up a brochure at the Eugene, Cascades & Coast Visitor Center.
Detering Orchards
Spend some time on the farm at family-owned Detering Orchards near Harrisburg, Oregon. The farm stand bursts with whatever is ripe, as well as jars of canned fruit, pickles, salsas, jams, syrups and much more. Families can romp on the playground, pet the friendly animals, ride the mechanical bull (ages 3 and up) and nosh on hot dogs, tamales and ice cream at the Cider Barn. Fall activities include a corn maze, apple blaster and hay maze. Adults sip beer and hard cider at the open-air saloon. Load up on farm-fresh fruits and vegetables from the farm stand, or try your hand at picking your own apples, pears and peaches from its 50 acres of orchards, as well as berries, pumpkins and other produce. Check the Detering Orchards website to see which fruits and vegetables are ripe. Open seasonally.
30946 Wyatt Drive, Harrisburg, Oregon
Thompson's Mills State Heritage Site
In 1858, miller R.C. Finley and his partners built the water-powered grain mill we know today as Thompson’s Mills along the Calapooia River near Shedd, Oregon. The mill’s system — involving a millrace, three dams, headgates, a flume and turbines — still works, making Thompson’s Mills the oldest operating grain mill in Oregon. Today the pioneer mill is a heritage site, preserving its history and telling a story of more than 150 years of adaptation and perseverance. Admission is free.
32655 Boston Mill Drive, Shedd, Oregon
Mary’s Peak
At 4,097 feet high, Mary’s Peak is the tallest mountain in the Oregon Coast Range — but one of the easiest hikes. Located 25 miles from Corvallis in the Siuslaw National Forest, the peak offers family-friendly hiking close enough to town to reach the summit and be back before lunch. On a clear day, panoramic views stretch from Mt. Rainier to the ocean. In June and July, red Indian paintbrush, purple penstemon and other wildflowers carpet the mountain. The main trail follows a gravel service road an easy 0.6 miles to the top, but other trails intersect and allow you to combine segments if you want a longer hike. Dogs are allowed on leash. National Forest Pass or day pass (available on site) required.
Historic Carousel & Museum of Albany
Lions, tigers and bears are just a few of the wondrous creatures charming riders on the Historic Carousel & Museum in Albany, Oregon. The whimsical menagerie includes animals both mythical and real, and changes periodically to keep the experience fresh for riders. All of the animals were hand-carved from wood by volunteers in the workshop downstairs; be sure to ask for a tour. The carousel building also holds a small museum, gift shop and snack bar. Ticket purchase is required to ride the carousel.
503 First Avenue West, Albany, Oregon
Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art
From Shakespeare’s rare first “Folio” to etchings by Mildred Bryant Brooks and photographs from National Geographic, the exhibits at the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art regularly stun and delight. Located on the University of Oregon campus in Eugene, Oregon, the museum draws on its own extensive collections of Chinese, Japanese, Korean and American art for exhibits, in addition to hosting special exhibits from other sources. Be sure to ask about the Guide by Cell program, which uses your cell phone to present an interactive audio guide to the museum. The museum’s website lists current exhibits.
1430 Johnson Lane, Eugene, OR
Corvallis Rose Garden
From May to October, the Corvallis Rose Garden at Avery Park is abloom. With more than 1,200 individual bushes representing 250 varieties, the Rose Garden provides a fragrant refuge for flower aficionados. Name tags under each grouping and a central kiosk provide the name of each rose. New roses are added each year. For an interactive map that provides more information about each rose, click here. Avery Park and the Rose Garden in Corvallis, Oregon, are open year-round from dawn to dusk.
1200 S.W. Avery Park Drive, Corvallis, Oregon
Fern Ridge Reservoir
Watch for wildlife, explore hidden channels and go for a swim with a day on the water at Fern Ridge Reservoir in Veneta, Oregon, about 15 miles from Eugene. The 9,000-acre (3,463 hectares) lake is the largest in the Willamette Valley. Multiple lakefront parks provide swimming areas and boat ramps for spring and summer water play. In the winter, when the water is gone, birdwatchers flock to the muddy marshes. Several companies in Eugene rent kayaks, canoes and standup paddleboards. Water levels vary, so check before you go. Lane County park pass or day pass (available on site) required.
26647 Highway 126, Veneta, Oregon
Cascades Raptor Center
From diminutive but fierce American kestrels to steely-eyed bald eagles, the Cascade Raptor Center in Eugene, Oregon, offers a closeup look at more than 36 resident birds of prey. The center is both an animal hospital and a nature center with an educational mission. Raptors reside in airy aviaries spread along the forested slope of the hill. When possible, injured birds are treated, rehabilitated and released into the wild. Expect steep hills and gravel paths, with benches throughout the center. Tickets required.
32275 Fox Hollow Road, Eugene, Oregon
June Russell-Chamberlin likes nothing better than to explore and photograph the gems and hidden corners of the Pacific Northwest and the world. When she’s not traveling, June can be found tucked into a good mystery novel, hiking in the Cascade Mountains or continuing her quest for the ultimate piece of pie. She lives in Eugene, Oregon, with her family and a very bossy cat.