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Willamette Mission State Park -- set along the banks of Oregon's scenic Willamette River, less than 12 miles north of the capital city of Salem -- is full of history. The 1,329-acre park was the site of Oregon's first Christian mission for Native Americans in 1834, the nation's largest black cottonwood tree and a ferry that was the first to carry a covered wagon and ox across the Willamette in 1844. The ferry can still be boarded today. Willamette Mission State Park also provides an array of recreational options, including approximately 15 miles of trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding.
Hiking-Only Trails
- The Willamette Vision Trail, a 2.5-mile, self-guided educational path, starts near the park entrance and winds past a butterfly garden, a wildlife overlook with picnic tables, a sustainable farm and a trailhead for a short path that leads to Goose Lake. The biggest attraction on the trail, however, is the park's mammoth black cottonwood, which is 155 feet tall, has a circumference of 26 feet and is estimated to be more than 275 years old. The Mission Trail follows a path near the Mission Lake shoreline and takes you past the site of the old Christian mission, marked by a monument and framed outlines called ghost structures. From there, another short walk along the lake takes you to the Willamette River and the Wheatland Ferry landing. The park also has a 1-mile jogging loop.
Bike Trails
- The park also has 4 miles of paved bike trails that wind through the park. The main bike path is one big loop, which begins near the Filbert Grove Day-Use Area and can be divided into three smaller loops for those who would like a shorter ride. Another stretch for bikers extends east from the main loop's eastern edge and provides scenic views along the Willamette River on its way to the Wheatland Ferry. Bikers should use caution and keep an eye out for hikers, who are allowed on all of the park's trails.
Horse Trails
- The state park is a haven for horseback riding. The park's 7 miles of equestrian trails are mostly level and provide scenic views of the Willamette River, Windsor Island Slough, Goose Lake, grassy meadows and farmland. The trails, which consist mostly of gravel and dirt, can be ridden as loops or out and back. For those who would like to stay with their animals overnight, the park has four small equestrian camping areas, each of which includes running water, vault toilets and a log corral that holds up to four horses. Reservations are required.
Other Park Amenities
- In addition to its trails, Willamette Mission State Park features a number of other recreational activities and attractions. The Filbert Grove Day-Use Area includes sports fields, volleyball courts, horseshoe pits and several picnic areas and shelters set amid filbert and walnut orchards. The park also offers a group camping area, boat launches on Mission Lake and the Willamette River, and a fishing dock on Mission Lake where anglers can drop their lines for bluegill, crappie, carp and largemouth bass. If you like to canoe or kayak, the Willamette River Water Trail provides paddlers with a list of destinations and parks along the river, one of which is at Willamette Mission. If you're staying overnight, the Salem region has a variety of accommodation options within a 20-minute drive of the park.
