Armitage Park Campground

The Great Outdoors

Western Oregon is one of America’s premier outdoor recreation areas; not only does it have soaring mountains that are at the top of many peakbaggers’ bucket list, but there’s also the lazy flow of the Willamette River to attract kayakers and canoeists. For cyclists, there’s the Willamette Scenic Valley Bikeway, about 45 minutes' drive from the RV campground. The 134-mile-long path runs between the cities of Salem and Albany, with much of the trail paralleling the Willamette River and with fantastic views of the Cascade Mountains and Coast Range throughout. If you’ve got a set of wheels, this is easily the best way to explore the valley as the route passes through green pastures, pungent hops fields, and a few of Oregon’s most interesting towns.About two and a half hours' drive to the southeast of Armitage Park is Crater Lake National Park, home to the deepest lake in North America. The park surrounds the collapsed Mount Mazama volcano whose caldera has since filled with water to create one of the most picturesque alpine lakes in the world. Many come just to learn about the volcanic activity of the Cascade Range (the more recently active Mount Saint Helens is a few hours' drive north of the campground), but others travel for hiking and boating opportunities. A dozen or more trails encircle the caldera, with spectacular vistas of the lake and its prominent Wizard Island. To see the caldera from the inside, take a ride on a park service boat and feel what it’s like to be in the heart of a volcano.If you’re looking for a beautiful stroll closer to the campground, try Owen Rose Garden in Eugene. This verdant park on the banks of the Willamette River is an excellent spot for a picnic with the family or to lounge with a good book. Of course, you could always just walk through and enjoy the sweet smell of roses that hangs in the air throughout the spring and summer.

Exploring the City

When camping at Armitage Park Campground, you’ll most likely spend a fair bit of time in nearby Eugene. This pleasant little town is most known for being home to the University of Oregon and a second home to The Grateful Dead; as such, Eugene has cultivated a somewhat "hippie" image. Nowhere is this more on display that at Eugene’s Weekend Market, which has been going since the ‘70s and may well be America’s oldest open-air market. Here you can find everything from handicrafts to handmade jam; be sure to come hungry because there are plenty of vendors selling delicious treats.Sports fans will love getting an RV rental near Armitage Park Campground as the University of Oregon fields great teams in baseball, basketball, hockey, and football. The Oregon Ducks football stadium is considered one of the most intimidating in the U.S. as fans' voices echo down to the field to drown out the thoughts of the opposing team. The university is also known for its track and field team and has hosted Olympic time trials on several occasions.If you prefer the arts to sporting events, Eugene has lots of galleries, plays, and museums to enjoy while you’re RV camping in the area. The Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art on the university campus is well-respected for its classic and modern works from around the world. Though, if you want to see a local showing, check out Eugene’s First Friday art walk in the downtown area.