Marion County

Detroit, Oregon

Detroit Lake

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Luckily for Detroit, fires are unpredictable crackheads and jump around with seemingly no rhyme or reason: thus, the area is still beautiful, however less green! It’s amazing how fast everything starts growing again.

One of the PNWs’ most prized possessions: it is literally breathtaking and the entertainment value is endless-

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Boating
Floating
Swimming
Fishing
Photography
Wildlife
Camping. They have multiple campgrounds, as well as random camp spots along the road. If your adventurous enough, you can find some really cool secluded spots up random “roads”. Here’s one I found….

2020 Detroit Fires

I had recently left a job and had a week off before starting my new one. I used that time renting cameras and taking solo road trips. Labor day weekend I did the Detroit run. Tuesday morning, I show up to my first day of work and only one person is there. Everyone else was apparently fighting a fire somewhere and evacuating people. I was more than a little confused at that moment; however, than confusion grew exponentially when I realized it was noon and still dark and blood-red colored outside.

In September of 2020, Detroit experienced a disaster so traumatic, it still almost makes me cry 2 years later.

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Breitenbush Hot Springs Retreat and Conference Center

53000 Breitenbush Rd SE, Detroit, OR 97342

Fisherman’s Bend

^{(Completely destroyed by the fires)}

Fishermen’s Bend Recreation Site has limited day use open. No camping or dump station is available.

The Bureau of Land Management has confirmed that Fishermen’s Bend was heavily damaged by wildfire. For additional fire closures and restrictions within the Northwest Oregon District, visit https://www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/fire-and-aviation/regional-info/oregon-washington/fire-restrictions.

Mt. Hood

Mount Hood is a potentially active stratovolcano in the Cascade Volcanic Arc. It was formed by a subduction zone on the Pacific coast and rests in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located about 50 mi east-southeast of Portland, on the border between Clackamas and Hood River counties

Timberline is one of my favorite places to snowboard. The only place I like more is Bachelor.

Salem, Oregon

Oregon’s Capital

Salem Waterfront Park

Willamette Queen

Enjoy a riverboat experience reminiscent of the days when travel on the Willamette River was only by steam-powered sternwheeler boats.

Salem’s Riverfront Carousel

A magical destination for all ages! · Admission Free to Enter Rides $2.00 Each Bulk Ride Passes Available: 18 for $30 (saves $6) 50 for $75 (saves $25)

Gilbert House Children’s Museum

The Gilbert House Children’s Museum is a private nonprofit 501(c)(3) children’s museum connected to downtown Salem’s Riverfront Park. Founded in 1989, Gilbert House Children’s Museum provides innovative and stimulating educational experiences which spark children’s natural curiosity. The Museum is named after Salem native, A.C. Gilbert, an extraordinary scholar, inventor, Olympic athlete and gold medalist, entrepreneur, and magician. An advocate of learning through play, Gilbert was the proud inventor of the Erector Set, the inspiration for our giant outdoor Erector Set, the highlight of our 20,000 ft² Outdoor Discovery Area.

City of Salem Splash Fountains

Spray fountains are a fun way for kids and families to stay cool during hot summer weather. As the temperatures rise, cool off and play in one of the City’s spray fountains.

The fountains are open June 21 through Labor Day.

Minto-Brown Park

Salem, Oregon

Minto-Brown Island Park spreads out over 1,200 acres of lush, open, and wooded areas. This makes Minto-Brown Island Park not only the biggest park in Salem, but also larger than Central Park in New York City.

There is a 30-acre, designated off-leash dog area that provides plenty of room for your dog to roam, play, and visit with other dogs. This park also serves as a waterfowl and wildlife sanctuary, which you can enjoy from the observation platforms along the sloughs. Blue herons, ospreys, squirrels, and rabbits are among the many different wetland creatures that call this park home.

Ziplining

Camp Dakota

1843 Crooked Finger Rd NE, Scotts Mills, OR 97375

Apparently there are lots of places to zipline in Oregon (news to me), but this is the only one I’ve ever been to. It was a blast. They also have cabins, yurts, and tent spots for camping, as well as other outdoor fun! Totally recommend

Silver Creek Falls

Silver Falls Highway

This place never gets old. In part, because it’s seemingly endless: the beauty stretches way beyond the borders of the park. But mostly just because it’s gorgeous and ever-changing with the seasons.

I must warn you though, that the South Falls Day Use Area, should be called “Falls Metro”- that place is always packed! That’s obviously fine for most people (hence the reason it’s packed) and if you’re just hiking, it’s irrelevant, Just park and bounce! Personally, I prefer to keep going North and finding less populous areas…. but then again, that’s probable why you hear of lost/stranded hikers being rescued all the time.