Fort Hoskins Historic Park (19.3 miles from Corvallis)

125 acre Benton County Park. Fort Hoskins was set up in 1856 to oversee the reservation established in the Willamette Valley for the Siletz tribe. U.S. infantry troops, as well as volunteers from Oregon and neighboring states maintained the fort, and relations with the natives were peaceful. During the Civil War Union soldiers were stationed here until the fort was decommissioned in 1865. After it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974, archaeologists from Oregon State University unearthed thousands of artifacts. The site was bought by Benton County 1n 1991.

Picnic area: A wooden table sits in a grove of ancient apple trees by the parking lot. A splendid picnic shelter overlooks the site of the fort. The shelter has two large charcoal grills and a long central tiled counter with inset electric burners and sinks with running water. This would be an amazingly great facility for a group picnic. The shelter can be reserved by calling 541-766-6871

Restrooms: Flush toilets with running water, a water fountain is by the picnic shelter.

Hiking: There are two easy, well-maintained trails. An 0.6 mile interpretive trail runs from the parking lot down to the site of the fort, circles through prairie and woods to a secondary parking lot, and then back to the main parking area. A second 1.2 mile loop trail starts opposite the restroom, up through a second growth Douglas fir forest, and then over a meadow with views of the Luckiamute River valley.

Pets: Dogs must leashed or under voice control.

Birding: Look and listen for forest birds, especially in the spring. Vultures and hawks may be seen soaring above the valley in summer.

Getting there:

Take Hwy 20 W toward Philomath. Go through Philomath. After about 10 miles, turn right onto OR-223/Kings Valley Hwy. Go 6.4 miles, then turn left onto Hoskins Rd. After 2 miles, turn right onto Ft Hoskins Road. Drive to the second parking area by the picnic shelter.