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Salem and Vicinity
Willamette Valley
Hike This Place
GPS Coordinates: 44.9329054, -123.168636
REGIONS > WESTERN OREGON > WILLAMETTE VALLEY​
​
Salem is the capital of Oregon and one of its largest cities. It is located in the center of the sprawling Willamette Valley and straddles the Willamette River and Interstate 5, both of which run north to south.

The area was first settled by the Kalapuya Indians who called this fertile area along the river banks "Chemeketa," which means the "meeting or resting place." These Native Americans would often congregate here in large camps to fish the rivers, hunt in the woodlands or harvest the wild-growing camas root.

​The first Euro-Americans arrived in the early 1800s and were mostly interested in trapping local beavers for the flourishing fur trade. More settlers followed however and the first permanent settlement was established in 1840. The modern city is home to approximately 155,000 people and is surrounded by farmland, natural areas and a multitude of lakes, ponds and rivers. Farming and agriculture are major industries in the area and produce a huge variety of meats, fruits and vegetables.

Exploring the Salem Area:

Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge
Columbia River
Corvallis and Vicinity
Willamette Valley
Interstate 5
Tualatin River

Representative Species of the Salem Area:

American crow
Oregon ash
Pacific tree frog
Bigleaf maple
Oregon grape
Raccoon
Douglas's squirrel
Oregon white oak
Red alder
Mallard
Pacific Sideband Snail
Salmonberry

Suggested Activities for the Salem Area:

Art
Cycling
Hiking
Picnicking
Urban Exploration
Citizen Science
Fishing
Kayaking
Reading and Writing
Wildlife Spotting
Climate Change Action
Flying Drones
Music and Dance
Skateboarding
Conservation Projects
Geocaching
Photography and Video
Treasure Hunting
Picture
Picture
About Oceanscape
The Oregon Coast Aquarium's Oceanscape Network is an educational program for youth designed to inspire curiosity in science, nature, conservation and outdoor exploration while providing valuable classroom resources for educators. MORE.
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