MINTO-BROWN ISLAND PARK
Larger than Central Park in New York City, Salem’s crown jewel of parks sprawls over 1,200 acres and offers 29 miles of paved and unpaved trails that showcase a mind-boggling array of biodiversity. Spend the afternoon exploring one of the nine easy loop trails, keeping your eyes peeled for blue herons, eagles and ospreys. From downtown, you can just walk across the Peter Courtney Minto-Island Pedestrian Bridge in Riverfront Park and start your adventure.

CROISAN CREEK AND SKYLINE TRAILS
Tucked into the neighborhoods of South Salem, these two urban trails are each about a mile long and whisk you from the suburbs into a verdant oasis. The Skyline Trail’s fern-lined paths and stately Doug fir make for a quintessential Northwest hike. A few blocks away, the Croisan Scenic Trail descends through a mix of woodsy scenery for an outing that ticks all the boxes. Walk the few blocks in between the trails to combine them into one 3.4-mile excursion.

KEIZER RAPIDS PARK
Just north of Salem, Keizer Rapids Park hugs the Willamette River and is super family friendly, as it’s easy to hike and there’s so much to see. The flat 2.4-mile loop trail takes you past a boat launch, amphitheater and frisbee-golf course, through native forests and filbert orchards, and along the Beardsley Sand Bar. History buffs will appreciate the interpretive signs with information about the Keizur family, whom the park and town are named after.

WILLAMETTE MISSION STATE PARK
Another standout family hike located about seven miles north of Keizer, this historic park is the site of the original Willamette Mission, established in 1834 and washed away by flood in 1861. There’s 15 miles of trails to explore here: The 1-mile Mission Trail takes you to a viewpoint looking out at a ghost structure of the Willamette Mission, and the 2.5-mile Willamette Vision Educational Trail is an easy loop that takes you through woodland, wetland and past the country’s largest black cottonwood tree.

CHAMPOEG STATE PARK
In addition to being a top leaf-peeping spot and home to more than 130 bird species, including seasonally nesting western bluebirds and acorn woodpeckers, this park located about 10 miles north of Woodburn is the site of Oregon’s first provisional government and has fascinating historical structures. Hike the flat, paved 4-mile trail and wind through meadows and along the banks of the Willamette River, ending at the 1863 Butteville Store. Or explore the 1-mile trail that passes the park’s historic townsite. Pack a picnic lunch and make a day of it.

SILVER FALLS STATE PARK
This enchanting temperate rainforest east of Salem really shines in autumn, when rains make bigger waterfalls and fall foliage reaches its peak. Wind along the mossy and fern-draped Trail of Ten Falls, a famous 7.8-mile trek that passes ten magnificent waterfalls ranging in height from the 27-foot Drake Falls to the 178-foot Double Falls. Note that dogs are not allowed on the Canyon Trail which includes the Trail of 10 Falls but are welcome on several other trails in the park. Be sure to check park guidelines before you go. After your hike, head to the nearby town of Silverton and grab lunch.

ABIQUA FALLS
Also near Silverton, this iconic waterfall is part of the same geological formation as Silver Falls State Park and the thigh-burning trail is ideal for hikers looking to get a workout in. The 1-mile out-and-back trail rewards your efforts with a nearly perfect 92-foot waterfall set amidst a spectacular basalt amphitheater colored with red lichens. Note the trail is steep and can be treacherous, especially in wet conditions.

SHELLBURG FALLS
About 14 miles east of Stayton, this easy, 1.4-mile out-and-back trail is flush with newly sprouted salmonberry, fireweed, bracken and lady-fern understory after the 2020 Beachie Creek Fire. Start your hike in the parking area and follow Shellburg Creek until you hit the breathtaking 100-foot waterfall pouring over the ancient basalt lava flows, which are 15.3 to 16.5 million years old.

ANKENY NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
Grab your binoculars and head to this spectacular refuge located near the cute town of Jefferson, where easy year-round trails and boardwalks offer signage about the seasonal wildlife activity and sightings galore. The accessible 2.3-mile Eagle Marsh Trail is where you might spot Canada geese, cinnamon teals and bald eagles. Tired kiddos in tow? The Eagle Marsh Viewing Blind offers wildlife viewing, minus the hiking.

LUCKIAMUTE LANDING STATE NATURAL AREA

This floodplain located seven miles north of Albany and along the Luckiamute River provides crucial habitat for migrating birds, waterfowl and amphibians. Park at the North Trailhead and take the 3-mile North Unit Loop Trail along a meadow and through a forest of Oregon ash and bigleaf maple. Or park at the South Trailhead and take a half-mile stroll to the West Pond, where you might catch a glimpse of native western pond turtles.

ELLENDALE CREEK LOOP
If you’re looking for an off-grid hike, this 5-mile trail located in Dallas weaves throughout the Ellendale foothills, crosses Ellendale Creek and winds through the dense Siuslaw National Forest. The trail is a leg-burner, but magnificent views of the Willamette Valley are the payoff. Download the map before your hike, as cell service is spotty and there are side trails.

REFUGIO NACIONAL DE FAUNA SILVESTRE DE BASKETT SLOUGH

This 2,492-acre refuge just north of Dallas provides habitat for dusky Canada geese, which winter almost exclusively in the Willamette Valley wetlands. Anytime is a good time for a nature stroll on one of the five easy trails, but fall is magical, as the maple and Oregon ash trees turn yellow and the wetlands fill with water. Keep your eyes peeled for cackling geese, tundra swans and Roosevelt elk in the mornings.