RV Rental Independence, OR

One of the closest spots for getting out in nature is Minto-Brown Island Park just outside of Salem. It’s adjacent to the Willamette River along with the Salem Golf Island Park and is loaded with excellent hiking trails and wildlife-spotting opportunities. They even have a dog park if you’ve brought a four-legged friend on your adventure.

Another option is the Silver Falls State Park; it’s the largest state park in Oregon and is only a short drive to the east of Salem. The Trail of Ten Falls is one of the most popular hiking routes within the park as it visits a spectacular 177-foot-tall waterfall in addition to several smaller ones. Swimming is also permitted in the beautiful pools beneath the falls.

For an exciting day trip, consider visiting Crater Lake National Park when you get a camper rental from Independence. Not only is the lake surrounded by some absolutely breathtaking scenery and rugged hiking trails, but it’s also the deepest in the U.S. While the water’s quite chilly year-round, a swim in it is an exhilarating experience you’re sure to remember.

If you’re hoping for lots of amenities when you choose an RV rental in Independence, the Premier RV Resort outside of Salem might be one of your best options. They have laundry facilities, a swimming pool, a fitness center, a movie theater, and full hookups for your Independence motorhome rental. It’s also conveniently located next to the Willamette River if you’d like to do some fishing and have the proper license.

Phoenix RV Park, a short distance to the northeast of Salem, is another option. Sites there have full hookups, and there are laundry facilities and a fitness center available to guests. Its location north of the city makes it a good choice if you’re thinking about visiting Portland during your stay.

With manager permission, you could also camp out in one of the three Walmart parking lots near Salem if nowhere else seems suitable.

When you rent an RV in Independence, you’ll quickly find that the best attractions are located in nearby Salem. One of the more interesting museums in the area is the Oregon State Hospital Museum of Mental Health. The psychiatric hospital is still operational, and the museum only takes up a small portion of the building. It offers a self-guided tour exploring the history of mental health care over the last century without sugarcoating some of the treatment methods utilized on patients in the past.

For a more lighthearted tourist experience, check out the Willamette Heritage Center in downtown Salem. A tour of the facilities features a costumed guide that walks visitors through the workings of an 18th-century wool mill. There are also a few historic houses and even an old church on the property where you can get a better sense of what life was like in the Willamette Valley almost 200 years ago.

If you’re bringing the kids along when you get a travel trailer rental in Independence, you’ll definitely want to set aside some time for the Gilbert House Children’s Museum. Though not very big, the museum has some fantastic exhibits meant to spark the curiosity of young minds, like the engineering studio where kids are given the tools and encouragement to build, free of adult restrictions. The museum is adjacent to Salem’s Riverfront Park, so they’ll have plenty of space to run around too.

The Independence area has a fairly lively restaurant scene with a variety of options to suit all budgets and preferences. You’ll have the choice of everything from basic American diners to spicy Mexican and authentic Italian, as well as some great vegetarian options.