Peavy Arboretum (7.1 miles from Corvallis)
8692 NW Peavy Arboretum Rd
The 40 acre arboretum is operated by Oregon State University for forest education and recreation; it is open free of charge to the public from dawn to dusk. Peavy Arboretum is part of the larger McDonald Forest, which offers more extensive roads and trails for hiking and biking.
A map of the arboretum is available at trailheads, and is posted online:
http://cf.forestry.oregonstate.edu/sites/cf/files/peavy_map.pdf
Picnic area: There are picnic tables at the small pond across the road from Peavy Lodge, and a large covered picnic shelter in a grassy field near the Intensive Management Trail parking lot.
Restrooms: Porta-potties are available at the parking lots.
Hiking: Peavy Arboretum is laced with miles of well-maintained trails and gravel roads for hiking, biking, and jogging. Seasonal creeks gurgle under trails, and serene Cronemiller Lake at the center of the Arboretum reflects the surrounding forest. Trilliums, Solomon's seal lilies, bleeding hearts, fringecups, yellow violets, irises, and other wildflowers bloom along the trails in spring.
A map of the arboretum is available at major trail-heads, and is posted online at:
http://cf.forestry.oregonstate.edu/sites/cf/files/peavy_map.pdf
Pets: Dogs can be off leash if under voice command. Watch for horseback riders on the gravel roads.
Birding: Look and listen for forest birds, especially in spring, when the woods resound with the songs of Wilson's and black-throated gray warblers, pacific wrens, and Swainson's thrushes, among others.
Getting there: Take Highway 99W north out of Corvallis. Continue through the last traffic light at the intersection of 99W with NW Lewisburg Ave. Go another 1.2 miles and turn left on Arboretum Rd. (Look for the Andersonblues sign). Go 0.8 miles and turn left into Peavy Arboretum; the main parking lot is to the right just past Peavy Lodge. (Anderson's farm is a bit farther down Arboretum Rd on the right; stop in for U-pick blueberries from June through August).
