Nestled Near The Cascade Mountains Is A Sleepy Oregon Town Offering A Gateway To Outdoor Adventures

While Oregon may be best known for Portland's urban buzz and the towering mountains of the Cascades, there are plenty of little-explored areas of the state that are well worth a trip. Tucked into the beautiful Willamette Valley (a scenic part of Oregon known for its wine) is a little town called Butteville, Oregon. Butteville sits right on the banks of the Willamette River and is surrounded by lush prairies, fertile farmland, and dappled forests, offering a glimpse of Oregon's pioneer history wrapped in small-town serenity.

Getting to Butteville is a snap. Portland International Airport is only an hour away, and you can easily get a rental car for the drive down to Butteville. Despite Butteville's proximity to Portland, it has none of the hustle and bustle of the big city. It's a place that blends peaceful living with easy access to the wild beauty of the Cascade Mountains, making it a perfect jumping-off point for both relaxation and adventure.

Butteville and surrounding areas offer tons of opportunities to get outside. Champoeg State Park is a haven for outdoorsy people and sits only six minutes west of Butteville. In this ecologically diverse park, visitors can hike the 8.4-mile Champoeg State Heritage Area Loop or grab their binoculars to spot one of the many species of birds. If it's a hot day, you can cool off in the river with some kayaking or steelhead fishing. The park even falls right along the Willamette River Water Trail, so you can enjoy a relaxing float down the river between Rogers Landing County Park in Newburg and Champoeg. Champoeg State Park is also home to the northern end of the Willamette Valley Scenic Bikeway, a 134-mile scenic bike trail that winds through Oregon's scenic wine country. And if you're looking for a place to put up your feet for the night, the park has a campground with RV and tent sites, plus cabins and yurts.

If you're looking for even more hiking, Graham Oaks Park and Wilsonville Memorial Park are both about eight miles northeast of Butteville and each have a few miles of hiking trails. Wander through a moss-covered forest on the Coyote Way and Tonquin Trail Loop or take a peaceful riverside stroll on the Memorial Park Forest Trail. And you can't forget about Butteville's proximity to the Cascade Mountains for more rugged outdoor experiences. The Cascades are about two hours east of Butteville, providing easy access for weekend trips out in the wilderness. One area in particular to check out is Mount Hood National Forest, where you can soak in the Bagby Hot Springs for a truly underrated outdoor experience.

Besides the opportunities for outdoor adventures nearby, Butteville itself has tons to offer. With a slower pace and a focus on historical character, Butteville is the place to relax and unwind. To enjoy a delicious meal and some homemade ice cream, check out the Historic Butteville Store. The store has been around since 1863, making it the oldest continuously operated store in Oregon. It even hosts live music every Saturday night during the summer and two weekends a month during the winter.

For even more history, take a look at the Butteville Landing. Back in the day, Butteville was a bustling agricultural area, and local farmers relied on the landing to ship their wheat and other goods to the Willamette Falls Mill. While the original landing is no longer standing, it's been beautifully restored and offers free public access to the river. Now, visitors and residents alike can enjoy the historic landing site as a tranquil gateway to boating, bird watching, and strolling near the river. And while you're in town, you can get a taste of Butteville's agricultural roots yourself. Margie's Farm and Garden is a local greenhouse that sells produce in the summer and hosts a two-day fall market every year.