In Oregon’s Mid-Willamette Valley, every season puts on a show, and fall is no exception. Take a walk through a park, visit a wildlife refuge, or sip a glass of wine while taking in fall’s brilliant colors near Salem, Oregon.

One of the best places to find fall color near Salem is in one of the area’s dozens of parks. Riverfront Park is a great starting point as you traverse the river over two pedestrian bridges to cross into the connecting parks, Minto-Brown Island Park and Wallace Marine Park. On the banks of the Willamette River, you’ll spot abundant wildlife, including shore birds, deer and fish breaching the water’s surface to grab a bite to eat in the early mornings, while also enjoying the vibrant red, orange and yellow hues that adorn the trees on shore.

Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge, in Dallas, is visited by more than 200 species of birds throughout the year. A hike through the park will reveal thousands of acres of forests, grasslands, wetlands and cropland with visiting seasonal birds, and a climb to the top of Baskett Butte will provide an excellent view of the surrounding valley’s autumnal shades.

Fall is a standout time to visit!  Whether you want to take a leaf-peeping hike through a magical state park, explore local history and Indigenous art, or if you just want to sip cider, ogle giant pumpkins and wander through a corn maze with the kiddos, the Mid-Willamette Valley is the place to be for unforgettable fall activities.