Winter Wanderlust: Albany Edition

Winter is the perfect season to embrace the outdoors around Albany. Enjoy a scenic drive through Linn County's countryside to visit historic covered bridges, hike forest trails to marvel at stunning waterfalls, or head to the snow for some playful fun with friends. Begin your adventure in Hub City, where you can find cozy accommodations, grab your Sno-Park pass, and make a plan for the journey ahead. Know before you go; Check travel and snow conditons on TripCheck.

Recommendations courtesy of The Oregon Challenge.

If you haven't visited McDowell Creek Falls County Park in the wintertime, then you are missing out. This time of year the falls are flowing full with water from the Santiam River. With over three miles of hiking trails, the park offers viewing decks and wooden bridges to The Royal Terrace and Majestic Falls, a few smaller cascades and breathtaking scenery. 

One of the more diverse hiking areas is in McDonald-Dunn Forest. Located near Corvallis, the forest has trails for everyone from beginner to advanced hikers, families and bicyclers. There are almost 30 miles of trails in the Forests, meaning you can visit countless times and always have a new experience. 

Talking Waters Gardens in Albany is a great location for a scenic stroll, and even during winter, the area is teeming with a variety of wildlife. Many of the ponds are drained in colder months as well, exposing features like "the weeping wall," a former loading dock left over from an old mill that has water flowing over it in abundance during warmer months. 

There are endless sights to see in the South Santiam River area. If you want a family-friendly winter experience, explore gorgeous snow parks with skiing, sledding, snowmobiling, tubing, snowboarding and snow-shoeing opportunities. If hiking is your thing, stay below snow level and traverse routes like Trout Creek Trail and Rooster Rock. Along Trout Creek, you'll experience the rushing blue waters and cascading waterfalls that become even more majestic during winter. For a more family-friendly version of the Trout Creek Trail, begin at the Trout Creek trailhead, but take the alternative Walton Interpretive Trail. 

Yet another spectacular South Santiam spot is the Gordon Meadows Trail. While the hike is 8-miles round trip, multiple meadows along the trail where you can relax and enjoy the scenery and then head back around if you're looking for a shorter hike. Or, if you just want a spot to enjoy winter scenery and spend time with your family, the roadside pullout at Lost Prairie is a great place to play in the snow.

West of Albany, enjoy a view of the magical Mary's Peak in the Coast Range after hiking along lush green meadows in Beazell Forest. There are two loops in the Beazell Forest and multiple trail variations to enjoy along Plunkett Creek. Hike through this majestic Douglas forest by taking the South loop trail, you pass through a plantation and into another meadow. End your hike by checking out Lumos Winery or Cardwell Hill Cellars, which are both close!

Along Oregon's spectacular coast is Cape Perpetua. The Cape's popularity is well deserved, as its main lookout is over 800 feet above the ocean, making it one of the highest viewpoints accessible by cars on the Oregon Coast. Cape Perpetua is located in Siuslaw National Forest, and the area features 26 miles of trail possibilities to explore, complete with incredible forest vegetation, endless scenic views, tidepools, a geyser, coastal caves and caverns. 

Ultimately, wherever you go in Oregon this season, you'll get a unique and beautiful experience. Maybe winter will become your favorite season to explore our wonderful outdoors!