Willamette Valley Chapter: Sites to Visit

Some places to visit in the Willamette Valley Chapter area:

Bush Park/Deepwood Estate in Salem

Best time to go: April

Directions: Bush Park and Deepwood are at the intersection of High and Mission streets in South Salem.

What to see: Bush Park and Deepwood host more than 60 native species, many common to oak savannahs. A history and detailed description of the park can be found here.

Kingston Prairie Preserve

Best time to go: May

Directions: Kingston Prairie is located three miles southeast of Stayton. Directions from south or north can be found on the Nature Conservancy website. From Salem, take Highway 22 E 12 miles to Stayton. Pass through Stayton and just after crossing the North Santiam River turn left onto Kingston-Jordan Drive. After 1 mile go past a railroad track and turn left onto Kingston-Lyons Drive. Go about 1.7 miles and park at a turnout.

What to see: This 152 acre Nature Conservancy Preserve hosts several wildflowers including Bradshaw's Lomatium, Willamette Daisy, and White-topped Aster. The site is considered the "best example of native prairie remaining in the central Willamette Valley."

Iron Mountain/Cone Peak

Best time to go: July

Directions: Iron Mountain is located near Tombstone Pass on Highway 20 east of Sweet Home. Near Milepost 62 look for parking lot for Cone Peak.

What to see: Iron Mountain/Cone Peak features more than 300 species. Download a plant list in PDF format. (Plant list courtesy of Wendell Wood/Oregon Wild.)