Outdoor Activities
The communities surrounding Brownsville offer great experiences for adventure seekers and nature lovers. There is something for everyone, all year long. Peruse some of the popular options below and start enjoying what the Willamette Valley has to offer.
Picnicking & Camping
Stop and stay awhile when you come to Brownsville; you can camp or stop for a picnic right here in town. Nestled into a bend in the Calapooia River, Pioneer Park is a 26-acre gem within the Brownsville city limits. Tent and RV camping are available, as well as picnicking, swimming, sports fields, and playgrounds. Linn County maintains dozens of other county parks full of camping and picnicking spots as well.
Hiking
Hike through lush forests and along beautiful trails when you visit the Brownsville area. Explore dozens of hikes in scenic Linn County on the Trails to Linn website. McDowell Creek Falls is a gorgeous hike that takes you past two waterfalls, Majestic Falls and Royal Terrace. Cheadle Lake and other trails in the nearby community of Lebanon are easy and flat with nice wildlife views. Talking Water Gardens in Albany takes you through manmade wetlands full of wildlife, and other trails in Albany include pathways on both the north and south shores of the Willamette River.
Water Sports & Fishing
If you enjoy wakeboarding, water skiing, jet skiing, sailing or fishing, the mid-Willamette Valley is a great place to explore. Foster Reservoir, located an easy 20 minute drive from Brownsville, is a destination for water sports enthusiasts, with several boat ramps, an RV resort/marina, a day use area, and a campground on the lake shore. If you don’t have a boat of your own, you can rent one at Edgewater Resort & Marina. Green Peter Reservoir, just a few miles east of Foster, is an even larger man-made lake, with camping, boating and fishing available.
Wildlife & Bird Watching
Discover the natural wonders just outside the door when you visit Brownsville and the Willamette Valley. See the Oregon state bird, the Western Meadowlark, as well as Bald Eagles and Oregon Vesper Sparrows. See herds of Roosevelt elk, river otter, beaver and many species of birds when you visit the William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge.
Scenic Drives
Brownsville is a wonderful place to explore on a scenic drive, whether you’re in a car, motorcycle, or RV. The Over the Rivers and Through the Woods Scenic Byway runs right through Brownsville. Take a driving tour of the nine historic covered bridges on the rural back roads of Linn County.
Shooting & Archery
Shooting and archery enthusiasts can enjoy several locations in the Brownsville area. The Albany Rifle and Pistol Club, about 10 minutes from Brownsville, has seven covered shooting bays for shotguns and pistols, as well as other amenities. The Oregon Old West Shooting Society is Oregon’s original cowboy action shooting club. The Archery Park at E.E. Wilson Wildlife Refuge northwest of Brownsville is free and open to the public.