The town site is on the south bank of the Willamette River in northern Marion County, on French Prairie, approximately 5 mi (8 km) southeast of Newberg.

The name "Champoeg" comes from the Kalapuyan word [čʰámpuik], which might be an abbreviation of [čʰa-čʰíma-púičuk], referring to the edible root [púičuk], or yampa.

They selected Oregon missionary Jason Lee as their chairman and considered measures to deal with problem of wolves menacing their settlements.

It was to be the first in a series of "Wolf Meetings" at the town site that would establish the basis of civil codes.

On his journey eastward to deliver the petition, Gilpin evangelized for the settlement of the Pacific Northwest, helping to spread "Oregon fever".

Considered the oldest operating store in Oregon, it is the last remaining commercial building of the nearby community of Butteville.

[4] The site is open year-round and is available for camping (tent, yurt, cabin and RV), hiking, disc golf, bicycling, bird watching, picnicking, fishing and boating.

[5][6] One of the important archeological finds at the site is the only mostly intact early homesite found so far on French Prairie.