Albany / Corvallis KOA

The Great Outdoors

When you camp in an RV near Corvallis, it’s a just a short drive south to the William L Finley National Wildlife Refuge. This scenic natural area was created to provide a wintering habitat for dusky Canada geese, which nest in Alaska’s Copper River Delta and winter almost exclusively in the native wet prairie of Oregon’s Willamette Valley. The refuge encompasses Oregon white oak savanna and ash forest, together with old-growth bigleaf maple forest and a series of meandering creeks. Aside from dusky Canada geese, visitors may also spot the herd of resident Roosevelt elk that wander across the rural fields and pay a visit to the mid-19th-century Fiechter House, which is believed to be the oldest residence in Benton County.Sprawling to the west of Corvallis is the Siuslaw National Forest, which encompasses more than 630,000 acres along the Oregon coast between Coos Bay and Tillamook. Its ecosystems range from wind-sculpted sand dunes to lush coastal forests dominated by Sitka spruce and western hemlock. It’s divided into numerous areas, including the Cummins Creek Wilderness and Rock Creek Wilderness that are both renowned for their old-growth species, while being a hub for mountain biking, horseback riding, and wading in the tidal pools.If you’re motorhome camping at Albany/Corvallis KOA, you can also head east to the Middle Santiam Wilderness, which is situated near Mount Washington in the central Cascade Range. It forms part of the extensive Willamette National Forest, with rugged peaks, sparkling lakes, and the 4,965-foot lava plug of Chimney Peak among its highlights. The wilderness area features old-growth forests that are estimated to be around 450 years old and include magnificent Douglas firs, western red cedars, and western hemlocks.

Exploring the Area

The Albany/Corvallis KOA camping site is just 10 minutes’ drive from Albany, which lies at the confluence of the Calapooia and Willamette rivers and serves as the seat of Linn County. It includes four historic districts that are clustered with Federal, Gothic Revival, and Second Empire-style architecture and include more than 700 contributing buildings. Admire the Monteith House Museum that’s been listed on the National Register of Historic Places, together with the prominent Whitespires Church, or gain an insight into the people and events that have shaped the region at the Albany Regional Museum. There are numerous supermarkets here where you can pick up groceries and plenty of gas stations to fill up your campervan rental, as well as fast food restaurants and eateries if you want to dine out.A 10-minute drive west of Albany/Corvallis KOA will see you in the heart of Corvallis, which is home to Oregon State University and its associated National Historic District. Stop by the Benton County Courthouse, which is the oldest courthouse in Oregon to still be used for its original purpose, or discover the city’s African-American history at the Hannah and Eliza Gorman House. You can see the Beaver’s football team in action at Reser Stadium or escape to one of the tranquil walking trails in Avery Park on the southern edge of the city.Whether you’re interested in the historic architecture of Albany or want to get up close to dusky Canada geese, book an RV in Linn County and start planning your next vacation.