Accessible Trails in Benton County Oregon

Benton County occupies 679 square miles of the central Willamette Valley and is bordered on the east by the Willamette River and Linn County, on the west by the summit of the Coast Range and Lincoln County, on the north by Polk County, and on the south by Lane County.

Corvallis-Philomath Bike Path

Directions:

Park as close to the river in downtown Corvallis as you can get. Alternately, start in Philomath by heading west on Highway 20 from Corvallis for six miles then turn left (south) on Newton Street and park.

Features:

This path links Corvallis with the neighboring community of Philomath; it follows for 10 miles, the Willamette and Marys rivers and includes Pioneer and Starker parks. Starting from downtown, this path skirts the west bank of the Willamette River. This section passes near many restaurants and retail shops. It then heads west along Mary's River through Avery Park. Leaving Mary's River, it goes near a research park and then runs alongside Highway 20, climbing a small hill where you will get great views of Mary's Peak directly west. Into Philomath, it turns into a greenway that runs along Newton Creek and ends at the high school.

Bob Frenkle Boardwalk - Jackson Frazier Wetlands

Directions:

A Benton County Park located northeast of Corvallis at the north end of Lancaster Street

Features:

An 0.8 mile accessible boardwalk winds through the wetland, allowing visitors to see many plant communities and habitats. Interpretive signs explain different aspects of the park's natural history and watershed.

EE Wilson Wildlife Area - Adair Pond Loop Trail

Directions:

Adair pond is located 6 miles north of Corvallis or 15 miles south of Mommouth on Highway 99W, or about 6 miles west of Albany. Off of Highway 99 W at the Camp Adair sign. Turn onto Camp Adair Road and follow road to the Camp Adair /EE Wilson Wildlife Area. Follow trail signs for the Pond Loop Trail. There is nice parking, a military memorial park, and a wild bird pen. (Lat:44.42 Lon:-123.12)

Features:

The EE Wilson Wildlife Area is maintained by the Oregon Department of Fish and Game. There is a staff person on site and parking at the trail. The trail is marked with at least 8 interpretive stations that link with the trail map. Maps are available that the parking area. The first half of the hike is on an old paved army road. At the end of the road is the Adair pond and wetland viewing area with restroom. From this point the trail winds through the wetland area on a trail covered in wood chips. Best done in the summer, but can be done in the winter by may require and in and out vs. the loop trail due to water. Accessiblity rating of entire trail is not verified.

Other:

Adair pond has largemouth bass, bluegill, and channel catfish.
The accessible platform is located 1200 feet from the parking lot on a trail that is about 1/3 paved and 2/3 hard packed 3/8 minus gravel. There is a wheelchair accessible port-a-potty located along the trail from June 1 to October 1.

There is much wildlife in the area during hunting season. The area is best known for pheasants, and there are scheduled youth and handicap hunts, but not near the hiking trail.

Bald Hill Park

Directions:

On the far west side of Corvallis. The multi-use path leading into the park may be accessed from 3 locations: a path next to the Benton County Fairgrounds, behind the gate off of Oak Creek Rd, and at an entrance off of Reservoir Rd

Features:

Bald Hill Park has a moderately level, 1.5 mile multi-use path along the base of the hill. The trail passes through varied habitats of upland prairie, oak savanah, oak woodlands, riparian areas and wetlands. Wildflowers are plentiful in the spring.

A restored barn offers shade and shelter at the base of the hill. Horseback riding and bicycling are permitted on seasonally designated trails. A few memorial benches allow opportunity to rest and enjoy the beautiful vistas of nearby farms and the hills beyond. An area near the barn is designated as an off-leash dog area.

Mary’s River Natural Area

Directions:

In south Corvallis, off of Brooklane Drive.

Features:

A 74 acre natural area along the Mary’s River south of Corvallis with an interpretive kiosk and ADA accessible boardwalk. The site consists of riparian forests, wetlands, wet prairies and viewpoints along the Mary’s River. iThe site demonstrates riparian restoration, natural history, and the cultural uses of native plants.

Finley National Wildlife Refuge - Accessible Boardwalks

Directions:

To reach the William L. Finley Unit, travel south 10 miles from Corvallis or north 7.5 miles from Monroe, to milepost 93 on Highway 99W. Turn west on Finley Refuge Road. Watch for the refuge entrance sign on the west side of the road. Follow refuge signs for 2 miles to the refuge headquarters.

Features:

McFadden's Marsh boardwalk, Cabell observation deck, and the new Homer Cambell boardwalk are all wheelchair accessible. The new boardwalk has an entrance next to the Feichter House and it is all boardwalk.

Finley National Wildlife Refuge - Woodpecker Loop Trail

Directions:

Woodpecker Loop trail head is located just off Finley Refuge road. From Corvallis, take US Hwy 99W south 10 miles. Turn west at the sign to Finley Refuge and drive 1.3 miles. Turn south and drive 2.3 miles (passing restrooms and information kiosk at 0.8 mile). Park at the signed trailhead for Woodpecker Loop. This loop trail begins and ends at the parking lot.

Features:

Woodpecker Loop trail is classified as an easy 1 mile trail with a 130 ft elevation gain. Great for slow walkers, but not considered accessible for wheelchair users.

Interpretive signs throughout the trail provide information about different animals and their habitats. An interpretive brochure for this hike is available at the trail head. Follow the trail past a signboard and a pond. The trail begins in an oak woodland and then ascends slightly to an overlook with views of the valley, the Cascade Range, and Bald Top, which is a native oak savannah habitat.

Halfway along the trail is a huge oak encircled by a wooden viewing platform; it looks out over a dry, grassy hillside scattered with more native oaks. The trail continues on into a forest dominated by Douglas fir. The trail descends to a mixed forest of big-leaf maple, Douglas fir, and Oregon white oak. Five different kinds of woodpeckers have been identified in these woods.

Other:

A great way to visit the refuge and see various types of wildlife during the winter months is by driving along the Auto Tour Route . This road winds through the middle of the refuge taking you past wetlands, creeks and ponds that migratory birds call home in the winter. Follow the road to the south end of the refuge to see hundreds of birds on McFadden Marsh, geese feeding on the fields and pigeon butte. See map for more information. See Finley NWR site.

Alsea Falls Recreation Area

Directions:

To reach the east access from Corvallis, take OR 99W south 15 miles. Turn west on County Road #45120 and go 5 miles to Alpine Junction, then take South Fork Alsea Access Road 9 miles to Alsea Falls Campground.

To reach the west access from Alsea, take OR 201 to County Road #48200 which connects with the South Fork Alsea Access Road. OR 201 is not signed but is located on the west end of Alsea as you enter town.

Features:

Alsea Falls Recreation Area is next to the South Fork Alsea River, in a coastal forest of tall red cedars, maples, and Douglas firs.

A 1-mile trail that is easy for slow walkers, but not barrier-free, leads to Alsea Falls and other scenic points along the river.

Start from the day-use parking lot where an kiosk provides information about the trail. Take the wide path marked "closed to motorized vehicles" upstream past the picnic sites. At 0.4 mile, at the south end of the campground there is a footbridge that crosses the river.

Upon crossing, turn left and head downstream to continue toward Alsea Falls and McBee Park. At 0.8 mile the trail nears the river bank across from the picnic area. In another 0.1 mile, there is a segment of stairs that prohibit wheelchair users from descending down the canyon slope. For those who can continue, at 1 mile is the turnoff for Alsea Falls. Turn left, descend, and hike just upstream to the outcrop viewing site for Alsea Falls in less than 0.1 mile. See BLM Website. Great for slow walkers, the accessiblity of the first part of this trail for wheelchair users and mobility scooters is unknown at this time.

A 6-mi Alsea Bike loop starts across the road from the Alsea day use area. See Website for details and photos.

Other:

The recreation area has 22 picnic tables, 16 campsites, and fishing.