Champoeg

Champoeg State Heritage Area preserves one of Oregon's most historically significant sites, where settlers voted in 1843 to establish a provisional government, making it the first American government on the Pacific Coast. Located along the Willamette River south of Portland, the park combines rich history with beautiful riverside landscapes and excellent recreational facilities. The visitor center and historic buildings bring Oregon's pioneer heritage to life.

The park's riverside and forest habitats support diverse wildlife. Great blue herons fish along the Willamette while bald eagles patrol overhead. Beaver and river otter inhabit the waterways. The oak woodlands provide habitat for acorn woodpeckers and western scrub-jays. Deer browse through the meadows and forest.

The park protects valuable examples of Willamette Valley plant communities including Oregon white oak woodland, riparian forest, and native prairie remnants. The oak savanna habitat is increasingly rare in the developed valley. Riparian vegetation along the Willamette includes cottonwood, Oregon ash, and willows. Camas and other wildflowers bloom in spring.

The park occupies the Willamette River floodplain on deep alluvial deposits laid down over thousands of years. The Missoula Floods at the end of the last ice age deposited additional sediments across the valley. The flat terrain reflects the river's historic flooding patterns. The river continues to shape its banks through erosion and deposition.

Champoeg experiences the mild, wet climate of the Willamette Valley. Winter temperatures average in the 40s°F with substantial rainfall. Summers are warm and dry with temperatures reaching the 80s-90s°F. Annual precipitation averages about 40 inches. River flooding occasionally affects low-lying areas of the park.

The site has been inhabited for thousands of years by Kalapuya peoples who managed the landscape with fire. French-Canadian fur trappers established farms here in the 1830s. On May 2, 1843, settlers voted to establish a provisional government, the first American government west of the Rockies. Floods in 1861 and 1890 destroyed the original settlement.

Champoeg was designated a state park in 1901 to preserve this site of profound significance to Oregon history. The park has been developed to interpret the 1843 vote and pioneer settlement. Historic buildings have been reconstructed and a visitor center provides exhibits on Oregon's early history. The site hosts the annual Champoeg Historical Celebration.

The visitor center features exhibits on Oregon's pioneer history and the 1843 government vote. Historic buildings include the Newell House pioneer museum and reconstructed structures. Paved trails are popular for walking and cycling. The disc golf course is one of Oregon's finest. Fishing and boating access to the Willamette River is available.

The park offers 79 campsites including full hookups, tent sites, yurts, and cabins. Day-use facilities include picnic areas, group shelters, and boat ramp. Located about 8 miles east of Newberg, accessible from Interstate 5 or Highway 99W. The visitor center has seasonal hours. The park is open year-round.

Oregon State Parks manages the site to protect both its historical significance and natural values. Oak woodland restoration helps maintain this rare habitat type. The park demonstrates how historic preservation and natural area protection can complement each other. Educational programs connect visitors with Oregon's pioneer heritage and environmental history.