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Small towns to visit near Salem, Oregon. Stretching from the Coastal Range into parts of the Cascade Mountains and covering nearly 50 miles of I-5, the Salem, Oregon, area has dozens of award-winning wineries, countless waterfall hikes and numerous must-visit historical sites.
- Ashland: A Theatrical Haven with Natural Splendor. Nestled in the breathtaking Rogue Valley, Ashland is undoubtedly one of Oregon’s top mountain towns.
- Astoria: Maritime Marvel and Historic Delight. With its rich history and small-town charm, Astoria is a gem of the Pacific Northwest. Situated at the mouth of the Columbia River, the town offers stunning river views and a historic downtown area waiting to be explored.
- Cottage Grove: Covered Bridges and Small-Town Charm. Cottage Grove, nestled in the heart of Oregon’s Cascade Mountains, is one of the top mountain towns in the state.
- Cannon Beach: Coastal Serenity and Iconic Landmarks. If you’re looking for a laid-back mountain town in Oregon that offers breathtaking scenery and a relaxed coastal vibe, Cannon Beach should be at the very top of your list.
- Silverton. Silverton is a beautiful small town with expansive green spaces and numerous cultural attractions about 15 miles northeast of Salem. The town's namesake, Silver Creek, flows through the town from Silver Falls into the Pudding River.
- Monmouth/Independence. Monmouth and Independence offer spacious homes about 15 miles southwest of Salem. While they're technically separate cities, the two share a school district and are so close together they're often considered one community by residents.
- Mt. Angel. Angel is a small town with rich German heritage in the heart of the Willamette Valley, about 18 miles from Salem. Much of present-day Mt. Angel was part of Benjamin Cleaver's 640-acre donation land claim in 1850.
- Sublimity. Sublimity is a rural residential town with spacious homes and lots set among rolling hills about 15 miles southeast of Salem. Forests dominated the area before its settlement around 1840, but a massive controlled burn cleared the land in the early 19th century.
Driving directions to Salem, OR including road conditions, live traffic updates, and reviews of local businesses along the way.
- 4235 Redwood Ave, Marina Del Rey, 90066, CA
- Silver Falls State Park
- Shellburg Falls
- Henline Falls
- Cascade de Los Ninos
- Little North Santiam Trail
- Pup Creek Falls
- Butte Creek Falls
- Abiqua Falls
- Mcdowell Creek Falls
- Soda Creek Falls
This is the most obvious choice, of course, so we’re just going to scratch the surface. Ten waterfalls, six more than 90 feet tall all in a glorious temperate rainforest east of Salem. If you don’t want to hike the entire Trail of Ten Falls — a challenging 8 to 9 miles — consider the shorter loops detailed in this story. My favorite rainy season hi...
The overlooked little brother of more famous Silver Falls State Park is home to three waterfalls — including one 100-footer — small crowds and dog-friendly trails. It's the quickest drive among the five hikes. The trek begins on an old gated road, passing farmland that usually has a few cows grazing, before winding up into the dense, temperate rain...
This waterfall in the Opal Creek area roars with a real fury once the rain starts falling on this short and kid-friendly hike. The trek is two miles round-trip, climbing just 200 feet through evergreen forest carpeted with ferns and moss, to the 126-foot vertical curtain of Henline Falls. From the trailhead, the trail enters the Opal Creek Wilderne...
The “waterfall of the children” is one of the most impressive cascades on the ever-popular Opal Creek Trail east of Salem. The hike follows a gravel road that’s so pretty it’s more like a trail, winding below hundred-year-old trees along the Little North Santiam River. From the gate/trailhead, the trail crosses Gold Creek on a 60-foot-tall bridge. ...
My favorite trail in the Little North Santiam gets nice and quiet during the rainy season, which allows the area’s waterfalls to bloom. The waterfalls aren’t super obvious to the uninitiated, and some require a bit of off trail scrambling. The LNS Trail is a total of 4.5 miles one-way from the Elkhorn Trailhead to Shady Cove Campground. But here’s ...
Old-growth rainforest along the Clackamas River Trail is the primer, but 200-foot Pup Creek Falls is the real stunner, especially during the rainy season. The hike is a longer one at 7.5 miles with around 1,000 feet of climb, and it’s fairly popular even in the off-season. Even so, it’s well worth a 90-minute drive northeast of Salem. The hike begi...
These two waterfalls just outside the tiny hamlet of Scotts Mills are both stunners — though in different ways — and require only a quick and easy hike. The driving directions have recently changed following instillation of a gate, so take note below. As for the hike, it’s short and sweet. A 1.5-mile loop heads into temperate rainforest and, starti...
The trek to Abiqua Falls is an adventure, but those willing to make the trip are rewarded with one of Oregon’s most scenic (and popular) waterfall views. The waterfall is on private property but is available to the public via the Abbey Foundation of Oregon. Stay on marked routes and make sure to have correct directions. The hike is only 0.8 miles b...
Whether it's the lack of notoriety or remote location, the feeling you get arriving at McDowell Creek Falls Park is that of stumbling upon a hidden gem. Located 10 miles north of Sweet Home, the unassuming park is home to four spectacular waterfalls found on an easy, fun, trail home to unique bridges and viewing platforms. Dogs on leashes are welco...
A very quiet and pretty trail leads from the South Santiam River to a tiny crystal stream with a thin, 150-foot waterfall. In summer, Soda Creek Falls is little more than a dribble, while in winter, it thunders down the canyon. The hike begins at Cascadia State Park, east of Sweet Home, and is 1.4 miles total with a 575-foot elevation gain, making ...
- Zach Urness
- Outdoors Editor
Apr 6, 2014 · Directions: From Corvallis, follow Highway 34/20 west for 8.4 miles. Turn left on gravel Woods Creek Road and follow it 4.7 miles to a parking area. Walk up the gated road, and turn right onto...
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Small towns to visit near Salem, Oregon. Stretching from the Coastal Range into parts of the Cascade Mountains and covering nearly 50 miles of I-5, the Salem, Oregon, area has dozens of award-winning wineries, countless waterfall hikes and numerous… Learn More
