The case for staying the night is simple. North Marion is an easy day trip from Portland or Salem, but the best hours are early and late. Fog burning off the tulip fields at eight in the morning. The last stretch of trail at Silver Falls after the day crowd has gone home. A second beer at the Abbey because nobody has to drive back to the city.
You will find hotels along the Interstate 5 corridor in Woodburn, a garden resort and a few bed and breakfasts in Silverton, and farmhouse rentals scattered through the countryside between the towns. Campers and RV travelers have Silver Falls State Park and Champoeg State Heritage Area, plus private parks with full hookups within a short drive of just about everything in the county.
One piece of advice. Book early for festival weekends. The Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival in spring, the St. Paul Rodeo over the Fourth of July, and Oktoberfest in Mt. Angel each fill rooms across the region.
