Exploring Forests
Corvallis abounds in natural areas and forests. We’re known for forestry research, so along with hiking, biking, and more leisurely strolls through nature, Corvallis presents an opportunity to learn, as well.
- See our Things to Do Guide for more details about these forests and more.
Beazell Memorial Forest is a demonstration forest with four miles of trails and open space area managed with progressive ecosystem practices for environmental, education, and research opportunities.
McDonald Forest features interpretive trails showing aspects of forest ecology and management. Researchers work in McDonald Forest to answer questions like “What impacts do restoration projects have on oak woodlands, prairies, and savannahs?” and “What impacts do forest roads have on stream clarity and fish habitats?” And that’s just for starters – there are up to 80 different research projects happening in McDonald Forest.
Also inside McDonald Forest you’ll find Peavy Arboretum, a 40-acre preserve featuring over 200 native and exotic plant species and three different interpretive trails of its own. Visitors are warmly encouraged to explore these trails and learn more about forestry.
Starker Forest provides both guided and self-guided tours to become acquainted with their working forest and the great outdoors. They offer a quarter-mile walking trail, along with a more in-depth bus tour that is available every Wednesday from June through September. (Those interested in the bus tour will want to make reservations ahead of time – these tours fill up fast!)
Both of Starker Forests’ tours feature several points of interest, including 80-year-old timber stands and the historic Hull-Oaks Lumber Company, which is one of the last steam-powered sawmills in the nation. (Weekly tours for this facility are available, as well!)
Whether you seek to learn more about the inner workings of nature’s bounty, or you’re just looking for a lovely place to walk, go horse-riding, or bring the mountain bike, Corvallis has just the place for you.
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Hi Visit Corvallis,
Thanks for the info, I am a college aged male searching to eject myself from a crummy cultural practical experience in Utah. Which of the adhering to cities offer the most diverse outdoor/social/art know-how?(feel absolutely free to encourage some others) Eugene, Corvallis, Ashland, Vancouver.
So In other phrases, if you were/are in your earlier twenties and had been seeking for the optimum spot to fulfill other young men or women with these very similar passions, which town would you pick? (If you know of a city in WA condition that meets my requirements enable me know.)
Portland is not out of the query, but I am shopping for a “child” Portland. Someplace additional genuine, a lot less busy, and with not so much emphasis on the “scene”. I would like a town with plenty of prospects for outside lifespan (camping, biking, near to an sea is a plus) and a potent arts local community.
If you have lived in Oregon, remember to give me the very low down on your cultural knowledge.
Thx.
Hi there! I’m with Visit Corvallis, so I can only really speak to Corvallis. We’re a college town, so we have a pretty big population of people in their twenties, and they stay active around here. Oregon State University always has a ton of activities happening on campus, and we have a nice spread of nightspots that are busy with live music and events, particularly on the weekends. Cloud & Kelly’s Public House, Bombs Away, FireWorks, Interzone and Impulse in particular cater to the college crowd and offer great food, dance nights, live music, etc, with a pretty wide variety of music.
We have a ton of outdoors activities – over 60 miles of multi-use trails throughout Benton County, lots of great hiking, biking, camping, kayaking, fishing, etc, and quite a population of folks who are passionate about those activities. We have an extremely active local art community, too, with several art galleries that show local work on a regular basis, the Artists Guild that does events through the year, the Arts Center, which is dedicated to community arts education and support, just for starters.
Corvallis is located about an hour from the coast, an hour and a half to two hours from Portland, 40 minutes or so from Salem, half an hour from Eugene, and about three hours from Bend, so we’re very centrally located. It makes for a nice home base for residents, with easy travel to just about anything else you’d be interested in doing or seeing.
We have a mild climate, if that’s a concern. Summers are sunny and gorgeous, temps in the 80s with almost no humidity. Winters can get a bit tedious as it tends to be gray and drizzly from November to about the start of April or so, but it doesn’t get very cold. Daytime temps in the winter sit around 40 or 50 degrees, and a really cold night might get down in the low 30s.
Corvallis is full of smart, friendly people who tend to lean politically liberal/progressive, are very environmentally conscious, into sustainable practices, and committed to the “local first” mindset. Socially, it’s a busy town – there’s something to do or somewhere to be most any night, and the town has a habit of breaking out in parties and festivals.
Personally, I love it here. It’s beautiful, there’s always someone new to talk to or someplace to go, and there’s just a mountain of stuff happening around this town. Of course, I should point out – I’m in my 30s, so my definition of “always something to do” may not quite fit with a 20-year-old’s, but I have a hard time imagining I’d be bored if I were in my twenties.
I hope that answers some of your questions. Feel free to ask if you’re looking for more specific information!