The Largest Butterfly House In Oregon Is A Magical Way To Spend An Afternoon

Looking for a magical way to spend your day? You might want to jump in the car and head to Elkton to hang out with butterflies in the Butterfly Pavilion. Check this place out:

Welcome to the Elkton Community Education Center! This beautiful place was founded in 1999, and it's a little-known gem that you'll definitely want to visit.

Address: 15850, OR-38, Elkton, OR 97436

When you first arrive, take a look at the map to plan out your visit. In addition to the Butterfly Pavilion, the center boasts acres of beautiful gardens to explore, as well as a replica 1800s fort.

If you're eagerly anticipating a visit with the butterflies, head to the Flight Room - a huge butterfly pavilion that's full of butterflies and the plants they enjoy.

The two species you'll mostly see in this pavilion are Monarch and Painted Lady butterflies. You'll see creatures in various parts of their life stages...

...from colorful caterpillars, munching on tasty milkweed or thistle...

...to cocoons, where caterpillars curl up and transform into beautiful butterflies.

If you're really lucky, you might even get to witness a brand new butterfly emerge from its cocoon!

You'll want to spend hours in this space, just watching the butterflies. You can also head outside to the garden, where you'll find many other species of butterflies flitting around.

Once you've explored the Butterfly Pavilion to your heart's content, check out the replica of Fort Umpqua, which is also situated right here at the Elkton Community Education Center.

The fort was built back in the mid-1800s, and this replica includes a trade building, men's quarters, and cook shack. It's surrounded by 12-foot-high stockade walls and staffed by volunteers who help you with hands-on projects and experiences.

Visit the Elkton Community Education Center seven days a week during the summer. It's open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

From Labor Day to Memorial Day, hours vary. Visit the center's website.

Have you visited the Butterfly Pavilion at the Elkton Community Education Center? We'd love to see your butterfly photos! For more information, visit the center's website, and make sure to follow its Facebook page to see what's new there.