Albany, Oregon, located in the center of the fertile Willamette Valley, is worth a visit by anyone interested in the early pioneering period. The first pioneering family reached Albany in 1846 to create a farm capable of producing grains for shipping overseas. With its location alongside the Willamette River at its highest navigable site, the area was ideal for steamboat traffic up and down the Willamette River. Though the channels of the Willamette required constant maintenance, the steamboat managed to maintain its position as the principal means of transportation for over 20 years. When railroad service arrived in 1871, Albany became one of the main stops from Portland to Sacramento.
The result of all this activity made Albany a central hub for commercial traffic carrying the incredible harvests generated by the fertile soils prominent in the area. Over 700 buildings built in the late 1800s and early 1900s still exist, some of which are featured on the National Registry of Historic Places. Chief amongst these is the Thomas and Walter Monteith House, constructed in 1849. Tours of the house take visitors back to the late 1800s with displays of antique furniture and tools. The house was placed on the National Registry of Historic Places in 1975.
Along the river, the picturesque Albany Downtown Commercial National Historic District is witnessing vigorous revitalization. Buildings began appearing in this area of Albany in 1852 to service steamboat traffic. Construction of different styles, from Italianate and Queen Anne to Commercial Brick and a modified French Second Empire, demonstrate Albany's continuing prosperity throughout Oregon’s history.
The Hoffman Covered Bridge, located nine miles north of Albany, is an example of the ingenuity and effort Oregon residents displayed when expanding into the countryside. It is one of six covered bridges remaining in Oregon. Constructed in place in 1936, the 90-foot bridge is the longest covered bridge in the United States. Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1987, the span features a unique design with gothic side windows and trapezoid entries. Adze marks, visible on the rafters, testify to the commitment made by Oregonians to harness the natural resources surrounding them.
The city hosts several events, such as the Northwest Art and Air Show, Movies at Monteith, Summer Sounds, and River Rhythms, luring crowds to the town to enjoy the activities. Several walking trails run throughout the city, making visitations to Albany's many museums easy. Travelers walk through beautiful park environments as they explore the pleasures Albany offers. After visiting the city attractions, river cruises and forested mountainsides beckon every traveler to relax in a natural setting.
Blue Ox RV Park is an upscale camping opportunity located on the outskirts of Albany. Its location makes it ideal for travelers looking for a place near an urban area with accessibility to the great outdoors. The park features 149 paved RV camping spaces, 70 of which are pull-throughs. Each campsite offers full hookups with a choice of 30-amp or 50-amp power. Amenities, such as restrooms, showers, and a laundry facility, are available for guests. Items that make this pet-friendly park exceptional are the availability of Wi-Fi and cable, an enclosed heated pool, an exercise room, a recreation hall with an ample kitchen, and its location next to expansive Timber Linn Park.
Just 26 miles north, in Salem, Oregon, the Premier RV Resort provides 160 camping spots for RV travelers. Located on the outskirts of West Salem off Oregon State Highway 22, it is easily reached from Albany. The resort is ideal for visitors visiting the Oregon State Capital or the incredible parks and forests that surround the area. Pet owners find a dog wash and a free run area, while water lovers can use the large spa or swim in the heated pool. One of the unique features of this resort is a movie theater.
The 130 camping space Hee Hee Illahee RV Resort is located in the northeast area of Salem. The lots provide 20-amp, 30-amp, or 50-amp power that supports Internet and cable service. Convenient access to showers, restrooms, and a coin-operated laundry facility allow RV enthusiasts to stay longer. Pets are welcome to use the dog runs, and visitors can use the pool and spa to relax after a day of exploration.
Every year the National Park Service reports that over 750,000 visitors take in the spectacular views offered at the Crater Lake National Park. The only national park in Oregon, it is an easy drive of 300 miles south of Albany. The park sits atop Mount Mazama and features a vast caldera created over 7,000 years ago when the volcano collapsed. Its elevation, the lake's depth, and the sun's angle create a unique blue surface that only the naked eye can appreciate. A road travels around the entire lake offering visitors different views and access to 75 miles of hiking trails and a 33-mile bicycle route.
Only 211 miles north of Albany, the Mount Rainier National Park includes the famous mountain and the 226,000 acres surrounding it. Glaciers, forests, deep valleys, mountain meadows, lakes, and streams filled with fish greet visitors with this visual feast. Mount Rainer is the highest peak in the Cascade Range, attracting many mountain climbers.
The Olympic National Park, located 299 miles north of Albany, Oregon, on the Washington Olympic Peninsula, is a unique playground offering marvelous views and a range of activities for visitors. Covering 922,000 acres, the park is one of the most diverse in the country, providing everything from soaring mountaintops to the waters of the Pacific Ocean and Puget Sound. Over three million people visit the park annually to enjoy the wildlife, the views, and the thousands of miles of hiking trails. With over 650 archeological sites, the park became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981.
A 60-mile drive west of Albany near the town of Newport, Beverly Beach State Park offers 57 full hookup RV sites. Visitors find expansive golden sand beaches, intriguing tidal pools, and towering trees that provide shade during hot weather. Restrooms, showers, and cable TV are some extras that make this park comfortable for travelers of any age. Enjoy excellent tide pooling, whale watching, and ocean swimming during your visit to the park.
The South Beach State Park is another facility offering an incredible view of the Pacific Ocean. Sitting at the south end of Newport, this park provides 227 RV campsites with water and electric hookups. Sitting just south of Yaquina Bay, anglers can easily access the bay and enjoy some surf fishing.
For visitors looking for an adventure in the deep mountain valleys of Oregon, the Milo MacIver State Park offers an incredible day-park experience. Located near Estacada, Oregon, this elegant park sits beside the Clackamas River that tumbles from the high Cascades to its confluence with the Willamette River near Oregon City. Considered one of the premier salmon fishing streams in the Pacific Northwest, the Clackamas River brings anglers from far around to fish in locations like Milo MacIver State Park.
While the rich history of the Oregon Territory is alive and well in Albany, other historical sites also draw visitors, such as the Fort Vancouver National Historic Site. This bit of history lies 69 miles north of Albany. It is a collection of three sites representing different aspects of Oregon's pioneering history. The reconstructed Fort Vancouver reveals the early fur trade, the Vancouver Barracks reflects the life of British troops before the Oregon Territory became an American colony, and Pearson Air Museum displays the development of air transport from the earliest days to the age of supersonic air travel.
The Lewis and Clark National and State Historical Parks document and celebrate the incredible three-year journey of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Visiting the reconstruction of Fort Clatsop near Astoria, Oregon, reveals the living conditions endured by members of the expedition during their four-month stay in Oregon.
The Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve sits beneath a mountain 211 miles south of Albany. These glittering caves take visitors back to the formation of the Oregon coast range. Multi-colored stalagmites and stalactites create a fantasy environment deep in the recesses of the mountain. Tour guides tell the story of the cave's creation and discovery.
The Siuslaw National Forest lies directly west of Albany. The preserve includes Mary's Peak, the highest point in Oregon's coastal range. Within the 479,000 acres of thick forest lands, four primary rivers, thick with fish and surrounding wildlife, run from the heights of the coast range to the Pacific Ocean. The forest ends on the crashing surf and along extensive sandy beaches of the Pacific coastline. Several National Forest Service campgrounds allow RV enthusiasts to camp for a nominal fee, allowing visitors from across the country to enjoy the best features of the ancient forest.
Albany is bordered on the east by the Willamette National Forest. The forest covers 1,678,038 acres, with most of the area covered in a thick forest. RV visitors find plenty of adventures in the woods with year-round accessibility to ski slopes, hiking trails, streams, lakes, and incredible views. Boondockers find plenty of offroad sites, and the National Forest Service provides clean campsites for a small fee.
The Umpqua National Forest lies to the south and west of Albany. It covers 983,129 acres, with the Crater Lake National Park on its eastern border. Ranging over the Oregon Coast Range to the shores of the Pacific Ocean, this park preserves an incredible array of terrain, including rivers, lakes, rugged peaks, and deep valleys. Camping is one of the main activities in the park. Some National Forest Service campgrounds offer restrooms and established campsites with fire rings and picnic tables for a nominal fee. Dispersed camping is encouraged.
Motorhomes are divided into Class A, B, and C vehicles. On average expect to pay $185 per night for Class A, $149 per night for Class B and $179 per night for Class C. Towable RVs include 5th Wheel, Travel Trailers, Popups, and Toy Hauler. On average, in Albany, OR, the 5th Wheel trailer starts at $70 per night. Pricing for the Travel Trailer begins at $60 per night, and the Popup Trailer starts at $65 per night.
Do you need to be a certain age to rent an RV in Albany?Yes. The minimum age is 25 to be eligible to get an RV Rental in Albany from RVshare.
Does RVshare have emergency roadside assistance?Yes. Every RV rental booked through RVshare receives 24/7 emergency roadside assistance.
Does RVshare offer one way RV rentals in Albany?Yes. Prior to renting any RV, check with the owner since not all will offer this particular option.
