Munsel Road Park

Rate this place

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Munsel Road Park is a 45-acre park located in Salem, Oregon.


°F

°F

mph

Wind

%

Humidity

Summary

It is known for its beautiful and serene atmosphere, making it a popular destination for hikers, birdwatchers, and nature enthusiasts. The park features a variety of trails, including the Munsel Creek Trail, which takes visitors through a lush forest and over a picturesque bridge.

In addition to hiking, Munsel Road Park offers visitors opportunities for picnicking, fishing, and wildlife viewing. The park is home to a variety of fish, birds, and other wildlife, including salmon, steelhead, and great blue herons.

One of the most popular features of Munsel Road Park is the Munsel Creek Falls, a 65-foot waterfall that can be viewed from a viewing platform or reached via a short hike. The falls are particularly beautiful during the spring and early summer, when the water flow is high.

Other points of interest at Munsel Road Park include the Munsel Lake boat launch, which provides access to fishing and boating opportunities, and the Munsel Creek Hatchery, which offers educational opportunities for visitors to learn about the local fish population.

Overall, Munsel Road Park is a must-visit destination for anyone who loves the outdoors and wants to experience the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest. While the park can be enjoyed year-round, the best time to visit is during the spring and early summer, when the weather is mild and the waterfalls are at their most beautiful.

       

Weather Forecast

Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References