St. Paul is a small rural town located in North Marion County. Although this town only has a population of 480, it has much to offer. In the summer, it hosts one of the States most popular rodeos, St. Paul Rodeo, a new brewery will be opening in March and across the street the downtown has a quaint mini food cart area. St. Paul is also home to some of North Marion’s treasures. Plan an afternoon to spend time at some of St. Pauls most treasured destinations.
Welcome to French Prairie Gardens - a working family owned and operated farm. We are in the beautiful Willamette Valley complete with picturesque views in every direction. Our 500-acre farm is located just outside the town of St. Paul and Woodburn.
At French Prairie Gardens you’ll enjoy fresh air, aromatic fragrances of beautiful flowers, the sights and sounds of a working farm, and an easy going pace all around you. We are open during the spring, summer, and fall seasons, we also host many special events such as company picnics, birthday parties, weddings and large family reunions. Visit our farm in the spring and you will find our garden center filled with flowering annuals, perennials and our hanging baskets are always a visitor favorite. Stop by in June and you are sure to enjoy our Berries, Brews and BBQ’s event on the farm including live music, craft brews/cider, and tractor loads of fun! Of course, in the fall it is pumpkin patch season and that means pumpkins on the farm. Our pumpkin patch is a youngster’s delight and we catch the occasional adult grin in the patch. No matter the season, our focus is a fun country atmosphere and experience that the whole family can enjoy- Farm fun for the whole family.
Champoeg features a unique combination of history, nature, and recreation. This is the site where Oregon's first provisional government was formed by a historical vote in 1843. Situated on the south bank of the scenic Willamette River, Champoeg's acres of forest, fields, and wetlands recreate the landscape of a bygone era. Tour the park's visitor center, Newell House, and Pioneer Mothers Log Cabin museums to discover pioneer life at Champoeg. Take a guided walk to learn what happened to the bustling pioneer town of Champoeg, and how the Donald Manson Barn was built. An 1860s-style garden lies behind the visitor center.
The park also includes the Historic Butteville Store founded in 1863. It is possibly the oldest operating store in Oregon. The store is the last commercial vestige of the once thriving Willamette River community of Butteville. The store is closed for the winter season except on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month, when the store will be open at 5 p.m., with dinner seating beginning at 6 p.m., and live music from 7 to 9 p.m. Limited seating reservations are available by calling the store directly at (503) 678-1605. You can view the live music schedule on the store's website.
Champoeg State Heritage Area is on the National Register of Historic Places. For this reason, drones and metal detectors are not allowed anywhere in the park.
Campground info:
Universal Access
All of the cabins, one yurt (F), five campsites and one walk-in tent site (T5) are accessible to campers with disabilities.
The Melcher family began farming filberts (hazelnuts) in 1957 and was continued by the second-generation farmer, Dennis. Along with farming, he and his wife started a value-added business, Ken & June’s Hazelnuts, (named after Dennis’ parents), and now includes their three daughters who have successfully taken the reins and expanded the family business. The hazelnut products include roasted, salted, and candy-coated as well as hazelnut butter and fruit jams. The farm also grows and sells peaches. Come and experience the aroma of freshly-picked peaches. The season is typically late July through August. No U-pick available. Stop by to enjoy our farm scenery and quaint farm store with fresh hazelnut products.
