United States

Corvallis, OR

A Comprehensive Guide to the Best Places to Run in Corvallis

Corvallis is one of those smaller western cities that has gained a reputation as a center for athletics and recreation. Located in western Oregon at the juncture of the Willamette and Marys Rivers about 80 miles south of Portland, Corvallis is best known as the home to Oregon State University and the Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center. With its riverside location, numerous parks and green spaces, and surrounding forests and mountains, there’s are terrific opportunities for running in Corvallis.

The best places to run in Corvallis are the signature Willamette River Path through Riverfront Commemorative Park, more riverfront paths through Willamette Park and Natural Area. Also close to town, enjoy Pioneer Park, Avery Park, and the historic Oregon State University campus. There are plentiful nearby trail running options in Chip Ross Park, Bald Hill Natural Area, and the Peavy Arboretum.

Getting around Corvallis is easy and affordable thanks to a fareless public transit system which provides service nearby most of our routes. However, thanks to the compact nature of the city and a bike and pedestrian friendly layout, runners should have no problem getting around on their own two feet! Note that winters in Corvallis can be overcast and rainy, but summers are dry, warm, and delighful!

Editor's Picks

Some of our favorite runs in Corvallis, OR

Willamette River Path

Easily accessible from anywhere in downtown Corvallis, the Willamette River Path hugs the waterfront for approximately 1... more...

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Corvallis has cool, wet winters and warm, dry summers. Running in summer is delightful, with plentiful sun and temperatures in the low 80s (27C). Note that summer nights are cool — you’ll need a layer in the early mornings. Winters are cool but not too cold, with average high temperatures in the mid-40s (8C), with lows dipping to around freezing. Most of the area’s 60 inches of annual rainfall falls October to March, with 2/3 of days overcast/rainy in winter.

There are a smattering of hotels across Corvallis, most located downtown near the waterfront. See VisitCorvallis.com for options.

Sporty Corvallis has lots of running stores, including Footwise, Five Star Sports, Big 5 Sports, and the women-centric Running Princess Athletic.

Footwise has been around since 1987 and has four locations in Oregon.

The most prominent running club in the area is the Heart of the Valley Runners.

You can find a good list of upcoming running events in Corvallis at RaceCorvallis.com.