Outdoor Activities
The communities around Brownsville provide great experiences for adventure enthusiasts and nature lovers. There is something for everyone all year round. Check out some of the popular options below and start enjoying what the Willamette Valley has to offer.
Picnicking & Camping
Stop and stay awhile when you visit Brownsville; you can camp or have a picnic right here in town. Nestled into a bend of the Calapooia River, Pioneer Park is a 26-acre treasure within the Brownsville city limits. Tent and RV camping are available, along with picnicking, swimming, sports fields, and playgrounds. Linn County maintains many other county parks that are also perfect for camping and picnicking.
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 stunning 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, offering nice wildlife views. Talking Water Gardens in Albany takes you through man-made 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 just a 20-minute drive from Brownsville, is a popular spot for water sports enthusiasts, with several boat ramps, an RV resort and 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 your 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. Observe herds of Roosevelt elk, river otters, beavers, and many species of birds when you visit the William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge.
Scenic Drives
Brownsville is a great 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. Enjoy a driving tour of the nine historic covered bridges on the rural back roads of Linn County.
Shooting & Archery
Shooting and archery enthusiasts can find several locations in the Brownsville area. The Albany Rifle and Pistol Club, about 10 minutes from Brownsville, offers seven covered shooting bays for shotguns and pistols, along with 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.