Are you looking to experience Corvallis with scenic rolls along beautiful trails and delicious meals at wheelchair accessible dining options? We’ve brought together three itineraries for you - from wetlands and sushi to covered bridges and fine dining to river view accessible trails and beverages with views of Marys Peak.
Before you head out for your adventures, make sure to dress in layers. This is Oregon, and days can change temperature or wetness levels quickly. In case of unexpected rain, try this tip from travel blogger for wheelchair users, Cory Lee, to bring a shower cap to cover the joystick controller area.
Being in the great outdoors may make you thirsty. Bring water or your choice of hydration, and be aware only some parks have restrooms or wheelchair accessible porta-potties. To help you plan where to park for downtown restaurants, check out this city parking map: Corvallis Disabled Person Parking.
Jackson-Frazier Wetland, Corvallis, OR
The Trail: At the north end of town, there is an easy-access wooden boardwalk that loops over marshes populated by willow and Oregon ash trees, spiraea shrubs, and marsh grasses. Be sure to bring your binoculars because, in the Jackson-Frazier Wetland, you could spot red-winged blackbirds, great blue herons, sparrows, harriers, and Cooper's hawks, along with tanagers, warblers, towhees, and waxwings.
Take the paved trail from the parking circle (3600 NE Lancaster Street, Corvallis), cross a short bridge, and take a left at the notice board. Here, you’ll see the start of the Bob Frenkel Boardwalk, which is a ⅔ mile loop. The trail honors Bob Frenkel, a former geography professor at OSU and environmental activist. For some adaptive explorers, be aware the boardwalk is wood and has natural uneven areas.
Restaurant Pairing: Do wetlands whet your appetite for fish? After your trail adventure, head to Aomatsu Sushi & Grill (122 NW 3rd Street, Corvallis). This restaurant offers an array of Asian dishes, including sushi and Korean BBQ. Tip - park on Monroe Street, which has less traffic and more accessible corner curbs.
Irish Bend Covered Bridge, Corvallis, OR, by Honeysuckle Photography
The Trail: Get a dose of historic covered bridges without competing with car traffic when you explore the paved path of Campus Way and roll over the Irish Bend Covered Bridge. Originally built for the Willamette Slough by Irish Bend Road (near Monroe), the bridge was moved to span Oak Creek in 1989. The trail goes through an OSU research farm, where you may see llamas on one side and cows on the OSU Dairy side.
There are two entry points to get to the covered bridge. One is on 35th Street and Campus Way, the top of this 2.3-mile trail. For more options, we suggest parking at the Benton County Event Center and Fairgrounds, where you will cross over 53rd Street to Campus Way.
If you are inspired, you can extend your journey another 4-5 miles on the alter-ability accessible Midge Cramer Path, which starts at 53rd, follows the Fairgrounds parking, and culminates at the Bald Hill Multi-Modal Path. The Bald Hill Natural Area Path is paved around the base. Near the Oak Creek Drive entrance, there is further opportunity to explore hard-packed trails (which may be muddy in rainy weather).
Restaurant Pairings: Rolling past the OSU Research Farm may bring farm-to-table meals to mind. Downtown Corvallis has two fine choices!
Del Alma Restaurant & Bar (136 SW Washington Avenue) - a pleasant short roll from the Courtyard by Mariott - offers an elegant yet warm atmosphere and riverfront views with a fresh ingredients menu inspired by Latin American, Caribbean, and Spanish cuisines. Tip: Reserve a table ahead of time to inform the staff of your wheelchair needs for a seamless dining experience.
Castor Kitchen & Bar (458 SW Madison Avenue) has a classy yet laid-back atmosphere, and the local, seasonal ingredient menu combines Southern flavors with French techniques while the bar prides itself on local beers, wines, and hard-to-find spirits for well-crafted cocktails. Tip: while the front entrance is accessible, plus a wheelchair lift to the bar, they recommend using the side entrance and seating in the back dining rooms, offering easier access to the bathrooms and the ramp to the bar.
Willamette Park, Corvallis, OR, by Lainey Morse
The Trails: This adventure brings you to the south of Corvallis, where two parks, Crystal Lake Park and Willamette Park, interconnect. This wheelchair-friendly destination includes paved, gravel, and dirt trails with gentle grades. We recommend starting at the north end, which has a large paved parking lot off Southeast Fischer Lane, providing accessible parking spaces and porta-potties. The main 2.4-mile paved trail starts at the Natural Kendall Area entrance and proceeds through the Crystal Lake sports fields, a restoration forest area, to Willamette Park. While glimpsing sights of the river, you may also catch OSU’s Disc Golf team members playing!
While bicycle-friendly, the Willamette River Trails east and west of the main path are dirt or gravel and not wheelchair rated. The west side brings you to Crystal Lake, and the east side runs closer to the River (and may be flooded at times). Both sides allow dogs to be off-leash. Willamette Park has its own parking and accessible public bathrooms, but be aware that the dirt road entrance can be uneven due to rain-induced gullies.
Restaurant Pairing: Conclude your day with a visit to the nearby 4 Spirits Distillery (3405 SW Deschutes Street), a veteran-led distillery. They have an inviting atmosphere, beautiful views of Marys Peak, and a classic menu featuring simple dishes, from burgers to vegetarian options, sandwiches, and more. Take advantage of their charcuterie platter, which pairs perfectly with their award-winning craft spirits.
As you embark on your wheelchair-friendly adventures through Corvallis, we hope you relish this vibrant city's incredible accessible trails and dining experiences. Share your memorable moments and inspire others to explore by posting your photos on social media. If you use the hashtag #VisitCorvallis, we may even share it on our socials too!
Article by Stacey Newman Weldon. Keep up with Corvallis news, events and happenings by signing up for our email newsletter.
