Polk County: Wine, Trails, and Covered Bridges

Covered bridges, wine tastings, and trails through meadows and riverside forests reveal different sides of Polk County. Many roads run through fertile valleys between the Willamette River and the forested foothills of the Coast Range. There is plenty to discover along the back roads, too: they lead to bridges, parks, vineyards, and wineries.

Scenery, Gardens, and Nature

The Inspiration Garden at Mt. Fir Park in Independence covers seven acres and includes nearly two dozen different garden areas. If you’d like to take the landscape into account when planning your trip, you can include the Inspiration Garden in Independence as a specific garden destination.

Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge can be reached via State Highways 99W and 22, as well as Coville Road and Smithfield Road from Highway 99W. Road conditions may change; check them before setting out.

At Luckiamute State Natural Area, the three-mile North Unit Loop passes through a meadow and a riverside hardwood forest. Oregon ash and bigleaf maple grow there. Paddlers on the Willamette Water Trail can also camp in the refuge at a site accessible only by boat. Check access rules and site availability before setting out.

The Willamette River Trail offers opportunities for birdwatching and nature observation along the banks of the Willamette River. However, the city’s notice is important for anyone planning a visit: on August 25, 2026, the city reported that the trail was closed to public access until further notice.

Wine and Local Cuisine

The Great Oaks Food Trail is a self-guided culinary route that’s open year-round and can be explored at your own pace. Hours and seasons vary by business; check them in advance.

In Rickreall, Eola Hills Wine Cellars has two tasting rooms at the winery; the operation also includes the 160-acre Legacy Estate vineyard near Salem. The Rickreall tasting room welcomes walk-ins daily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Left Coast Estate offers wine tastings, wood-fired pizza, and seasonal offerings daily from 12 to 5 p.m. Check opening hours before your visit and, for Left Coast Estate, check the menu as well.

Trails and Getting Around in Independence

The first phase of the Ash Creek Trail is a 0.5-mile concrete path between 16th Street and Gun Club Road. By comparison, the North Unit Loop is considerably longer at three miles. These distances provide a concrete point of reference when comparing trails by length.

A downloadable brochure for the historic walking tour of Independence includes an interactive map. Walks can start or end anywhere and be any length. This lets you adjust the tour to your plans without being tied to a set starting or ending point.

History and Special Places

Ritner Creek Bridge is one of the surviving covered bridges west of the Cascades. Hammer and Curry Contractors built it in 1926. The family cemetery is part of Nesmith Park, where Senator Nesmith was buried.

The Independence Heritage Museum preserves and shares stories about the Kalapuya, Oregon Trail settlers, and hop farming. The museum has been closed to the public since August 26, 2026, until further notice because of insufficient funding. Its offerings include pop-up exhibits around town, an interactive online tour, and digital collections.

Black Rock Mountain is the first area in the Oregon Department of Forestry system designated exclusively for mountain biking.

Discover more destinations: Rickreall, Umatilla, Jackson, Deschutes, Crook County, Jefferson County, Tillamook County, Curry.

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