Fall for Corvallis Autumn Colors

Downtown Corvallis

Stroll along First Street, where maple trees light up the sidewalks in fiery reds and oranges. After browsing the Farmers Market or strolling Riverfront Park, sip a cocktail at Del Alma and watch the trees glow along the river through their windows. For a higher vantage point, stay at the Courtyard by Marriott, where the patio offers sweeping views of fall colors and the Willamette River.

(Photo: First Street, Corvallis, in Autumn, by Aliza Hakiko.)

Avery Park

A favorite for locals year-round, Avery Park is especially photogenic in autumn. The historic 1922 Georgia Pacific #5 train makes a charming photo spot, framed by a sprawling walnut tree believed to have been planted by town founder J.C. Avery in the late 1870s. Stop by the First Alternative Co-op for snacks and enjoy a family-friendly picnic at the park’s legendary 84-foot picnic table and enjoy the crisp fall air.

(Photo: Avery Park, Corvallis, in Autumn, by Lainey Morse.)

Central Park

In the heart of downtown, Central Park transforms into a colorful canvas each fall. A wide range of trees, including varieties of maples, oaks, and dogwoods, fill the park with dazzling hues. On the west side of the path opposite the library, look for the Autumn Purple Ash, a show-stopper that shifts from green to yellow-orange and finally to a deep, royal purple before its leaves fall.

(Photo: Fall color by the Arts Center and Central Park in Corvallis, by Jack Larson.)

SW Jefferson Avenue

Just west of Hotel Corvallis on SW Jefferson, the Kiger House in the Avery Helm Historic District is the perfect spot to look up in awe at a canopy of 36 London Plane Trees, planted by OSU professors in 1910. Their mellow yellow leaves and distinctive exfoliating bark make this stroll as much about texture as color.

(Photo: SW Jefferson Avenue, Corvallis, by Stacey Newman Weldon.)

Oregon State University’s Campus

As a registered arboretum, OSU’s campus is a plant lover’s paradise in autumn.

• Elm Walk & Library Quad: Begin at Campus Way on the west end of Madison Avenue. This historic allée of elms, planted in 1905, creates a golden tunnel of branches. Nearby, the Library Quad glows with a massive big-leaf maple, while the Japanese Zelkova at West Hall shows off reddish-orange foliage and puzzle-like bark.
• 30th Street Mall: Begin your walk, bike ride, or drive at Washington Way and follow the loop as it curves just past Campus Way. You’ll be surrounded by a vibrant mix of ginkgos, oaks, and maples, their purples, golds, and crimsons creating a truly immersive autumn experience.
• Peavy Arboretum: Ten miles north of town on Highway 99W, this OSU-managed forest offers hiking trails among heritage trees and ever-changing fall colors.

(Photo: OSU Campus Quad, Corvallis, by Dennis Wolverton.)

Scenic Vistas and Outdoor Adventures

If you’re looking for wide-open views framed by autumn hues, you don’t have to go far:

• Bald Hill Natural Area: Hike up for a sweeping vista from the Coast Range to the Cascades, or snap a photo of the rustic Bald Hill Barn against open fields bordered by autumn color.
• Marys Peak: The highest point in the Coast Range offers dazzling contrasts of vine maples and an underbrush of elderberries in red and orange against deep hues of evergreens.
• Lumos Wine Company: Pair fall foliage with sweeping views of the coastal range and nearby Marys Peak. Rows of grapevines turn golden in October, making the perfect backdrop for sitting on the deck with a glass of Oregon wine.

(Photo: Lumos Wine Co., Philomath.)