Scotts Mills OregonATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Scotts Mills, Oregon.
1. Abiqua Falls Trail
STUNNING NATURAL WATERFALL
Abiqua Falls Trail leads visitors to one of Oregon's most picturesque waterfalls nestled in a basalt amphitheater. The trail offers a moderately challenging hike through lush forest before revealing the stunning 92-foot waterfall. Visitors can enjoy photography, nature observation, and even swimming in the plunge pool during warmer months.
2. Butte Creek Falls
SCENIC TWIN WATERFALLS
Butte Creek Falls features two magnificent waterfalls—Upper and Lower Butte Creek Falls—accessible via a scenic hiking trail. The Upper Falls plunges 78 feet while the Lower Falls cascades 26 feet through a beautiful forested setting. Visitors can enjoy hiking, photography, and peaceful contemplation in this natural wonderland.
3. Scotts Mills County Park
CREEKSIDE RECREATION AREA
Scotts Mills County Park is a 13-acre recreational area featuring the warm waters of Butte Creek and a natural rock waterfall. The park offers picnic tables, a playground, a ball field, and a popular swimming hole below the waterfall. Visitors enjoy summer activities like wading, crawfishing, swimming, and jumping off rocks in this woodsy retreat.
4. Scotts Mills Falls
HISTORIC WATERFALL SETTING
Scotts Mills Falls is a 10-foot tall, 40-foot wide waterfall cascading through rocky cliffs into a large plunge pool. The falls sit just under a concrete dam with mill sluice remnants that were once used to divert water for what became the best grist mill in Oregon. The warm creek waters provide excellent opportunities for swimming and outdoor recreation during summer months.
5. Camp Dakota
ADVENTURE AND RECREATION
Camp Dakota offers outdoor adventure experiences including ziplines, paintball, disc golf, and gold panning. The campground provides both primitive and RV camping options in a beautiful wooded setting near Scotts Mills. Visitors can enjoy seasonal events, team-building activities, and family-friendly outdoor recreation year-round.
6. Oregon Garden
BOTANICAL PARADISE
Oregon Garden is an 80-acre botanical garden showcasing the diverse plant life of the Pacific Northwest through 20 specialized gardens. Visitors can explore the Childrens Garden, Conifer Garden, Rose Garden, and the only Frank Lloyd Wright house in Oregon, the Gordon House. The garden hosts seasonal events including Christmas in the Garden, Earth Day celebrations, and outdoor concerts during summer months.
7. Silver Falls State Park
TRAIL OF TEN FALLS
Silver Falls State Park is Oregon's largest state park, famous for its spectacular Trail of Ten Falls, a 7.2-mile loop that passes behind four of the waterfalls. The park's crown jewel, South Falls, drops 177 feet into a grotto-like canyon that visitors can walk behind. Beyond hiking, the 9,200-acre park offers camping, picnicking, horseback riding trails, and a historic lodge built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s.
8. Silverton Mural Society Artwork
OUTDOOR ART GALLERY
The Silverton Mural Society has transformed the town into an outdoor art gallery with over 30 murals depicting local history and culture. These colorful works of art cover buildings throughout downtown Silverton, creating a walking tour experience for visitors. Each mural tells a story about the area's heritage, notable residents, or natural beauty, providing both visual enjoyment and historical education.
9. Gallon House Bridge
HISTORIC COVERED BRIDGE
Gallon House Bridge is the last remaining covered bridge in Marion County, built in 1916 and named for its role during Prohibition. The bridge earned its nickname when it served as a boundary between the "wet" Mount Angel and "dry" Silverton, where bootleggers would exchange gallons of whiskey. Today, this historic white structure spans Abiqua Creek and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
10. Molalla River State Park
RIVERSIDE RECREATION AREA
Molalla River State Park is a 566-acre natural area where the Molalla and Willamette Rivers meet, offering opportunities for fishing, kayaking, and wildlife viewing. The park features hiking trails through riparian forests where visitors might spot osprey, bald eagles, deer, and other wildlife. Picnic facilities, boat ramps, and swimming areas make this a popular destination for outdoor recreation throughout the year.
11. Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm
COLORFUL FLORAL FIELDS
Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm transforms into a spectacular display of color each spring when millions of tulips bloom across 40 acres. The annual Tulip Festival (March-May) features not only flowers but also wine tasting, hot air balloon rides, and special events against the backdrop of Mount Hood. Year-round, the farm offers a gift shop, vineyard, and seasonal activities including summer dahlias and a fall pumpkin fest.
12. Marquam Hill Ranch Alpacas
ALPACA FARM EXPERIENCE
Marquam Hill Ranch offers visitors a chance to meet and learn about their herd of over 80 huacaya alpacas in a picturesque farm setting. Tours provide educational information about alpaca behavior, care, and the sustainable fiber industry these gentle animals support. The on-site farm store sells luxurious alpaca products including yarn, clothing, and handcrafted items made from the ranch's own alpaca fiber.
13. Bauman's Farm & Garden
FAMILY FARM ATTRACTION
Bauman's Farm & Garden is a fourth-generation family farm offering seasonal experiences including a massive fall harvest festival with over 25 activities. Their farm market sells fresh produce, homemade baked goods, local specialty foods, and plants from their garden center year-round. Visitors can enjoy u-pick opportunities, farm animals, and special events that change with the seasons.
14. Pudding River Chocolates
ARTISANAL CHOCOLATE SHOP
Pudding River Chocolates crafts small-batch, handmade chocolates using local ingredients and traditional techniques in their charming Silverton shop. Visitors can watch the chocolate-making process while sampling truffles, caramels, and chocolate bars in unique Oregon-inspired flavors like marionberry, hazelnut, and pinot noir. The shop also offers chocolate classes, wine pairings, and special seasonal collections throughout the year.
15. Mount Angel Abbey & Library
BENEDICTINE MONASTERY RETREAT
Mount Angel Abbey is a Benedictine monastery established in 1882 that welcomes visitors to its peaceful hilltop grounds with panoramic Willamette Valley views. The abbey complex includes a stunning library designed by renowned architect Alvar Aalto, one of only two buildings in the United States created by the Finnish master. Visitors can explore the museum, join prayer services, stroll the grounds, and find spiritual retreat in this tranquil setting.