Discover Stayton: Parks, Covered Bridge, and Historic Downtown

Stayton offers several specific starting points for planning a trip: parks with walking and hiking trails, the Stayton-Jordan Covered Bridge in historic Pioneer Park, and historic buildings downtown. If you’re looking for a hotel in Stayton, first consider which side of the city you want to shape your stay. The differences between the parks, the Covered Bridge theme, and downtown make choosing a destination more tangible than a general overview of the city.

Parks and Outdoor Trails

Riverfront Park is located along the North Santiam River and offers natural walking trails. Its riverside location and walking trails are two aspects to consider when choosing a park. Community Center Park also has walking trails, along with tennis and pickleball courts. This offers a different combination for travelers who want to include one of these court sports in their plans as well as a walk. Santiam Park also offers walking trails. Wilderness Park takes a different approach, with 55 acres of natural landscape for hiking. When making your choice, you can consider whether you’re looking for walking trails, want to include tennis or pickleball, or would rather focus on a hike. 55 acres is a little over 22 hectares.

Covered Bridge and Self-Guided Tour

The Stayton-Jordan Covered Bridge is located in historic Pioneer Park. The self-guided Covered Bridge Tour also begins in the same park in Stayton and runs through Stayton and Scio. So the bridge and tour start are at the same named location, while the tour covers both towns. If you’re interested in the Covered Bridge theme, you can focus on a single historic structure or consider the self-guided tour as a broader route.

Historic Downtown and Its Present-Day Use

Historic Downtown Stayton features several historic buildings that are now used for retail and dining businesses. Unlike the single Covered Bridge, the focus here is on a group of buildings whose present-day uses include retail and dining. The area’s historic character and its current uses are therefore both part of the picture downtown. If cultural heritage is important to you while exploring Stayton, downtown offers a different perspective from the bridge in Pioneer Park: several buildings and their present-day uses are the focus here.

Santiam SummerFest

Santiam SummerFest brings Stayton’s downtown to life with a street festival. It includes live entertainment, local arts and crafts, food vendors, and a beer garden. The festival’s offerings may vary from year to year. If you’re planning your trip around a specific event, check the latest dates and program details in advance.

Discover more destinations: Detroit, Salem, Keizer, Scotts Mills, Silverton, Turner, Woodburn, Sublimity

For the broader travel overview: Marion.