| The Oregon Master Naturalist Statewide Conference is happening on the campus of Oregon State University in Corvallis, Oregon. If you’re not familiar with the OSU Campus or Corvallis, here are some important links to for you to look at in preparation for your time at the conference. |
Conference Lodging
A block of rooms has been reserved for conference attendees at the Hilton Garden Inn, located just off campus at 2500 SW Western Blvd., Corvallis, OR 97333. The rate is $139.00 plus tax. Rooms are available for Thursday, October 3rd and Friday, October 4th. To reserve a room, please call 541-752-5000 to make your reservation. Please ask for the “Oregon Master Naturalist Conference” rate. Please reserve your room before September 12, 2019.
There are many lodging options available in Corvallis if you wish to make other arrangements. Check out the Visit Corvallis website for lodging options in the area. This site also has a lot of information on what to see and do while you are in Corvallis.
Roughing it? For those who would like to stay in your RV or camper trailer, please visit the Benton County Fair Grounds RV Park website. They have spaces available for the days surrounding the Conference.
Parking On Campus
For those staying at the Hilton Garden Inn, parking is included with your stay, and you are only a 10-minute walk to the Memorial Union where the Conference takes place.
On-campus parking options are available for an additional daily fee ($10/day). Parking permits are required between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, year-round. Please note that payment is require on Friday, October 4th. If you are going on a Field Trip, please plan on paying to park if you are driving to campus. You should not need a parking permit to park on campus Saturday, October 4th, but please make sure to park in lots designated as visitor lots to avoid getting a pricey parking ticket.
Click here for information on daily parking and where to locate parking meter kiosks. The campus map is a very handy site to familiarize yourself with OSU. For reference, here is an image of a parking meter kiosk to pay for daily passes. Look for one of these on the corner or end of a parking lot.
Parking is available to visitors at the following locations near the Conference venue:
Parking Garage $10/day (661 SW 26th Street, Corvallis, OR). Has Parking Meter Kiosks on each floor.
Reser Stadium (B & C designated lots) to the south, southwest, and west side of the stadium $10/day (700 SW 26th Street, Corvallis, OR)
For more parking guidance, here’s a detailed map of parking, showing lettered (B & C) parking lots where you can park.
OSU Campus
The Oregon State University campus is a beautiful setting to have a conference. With its outdoor courtyards and quiet sitting areas, plenty of walking paths, and the earliest hints of fall colors on its thousands of trees and shrubs, take some time to wander around campus during breaks and other times while you are in Corvallis. Here’s a handy Campus Map for your reference.
Public Transportation
If you require assistance getting to and from locations on campus on Thursday and Friday, October 3rd and 4th, the OSU Beaver Bus will pick you up and drop you off at various locations on campus, including from the Hilton Garden Inn to the Memorial Union. The Beaver Bus does not operate on weekends, so it is not an option for you on Saturday, October 5th.
If you are staying elsewhere in Corvallis and wish to use the Corvallis Transit System (city bus), there are a number of routes that will get you to the OSU Campus. The city bus is a free service, so you won’t have to pay or have a pass! Routes 3, 8, and C3 all pick up from and drop off on the OSU Campus at the Memorial Union, and all routes transfer and pick up from the Downtown Transit Center. Check out the routes on the bus website to see if you are staying on a bus route. Please note that hours are reduced on Saturdays, often without early morning routes, thus making the bus inadvisable if you wish to arrive at the Conference on time.
Planning to stay out late while in Corvallis? Consider using the Corvallis Transit System’s Night Owl routes. These run Thursday, Friday, Saturday from 8:45 pm – 2:45 am on designated routes.
Things to do in Corvallis
Corvallis is a great place to visit in the Fall. There are great places to hike, watch wildlife, eat and enjoy your favorite beverage. If you want more to do while in town, check out the Visit Corvallis website at https://www.visitcorvallis.com.