Oregon State Parks

Whether you have a boat for boating and fishing in any of the many Oregon State Parks, or are looking for a relaxing get-away, you'll discover our Oregon State Park listings as the place to find just the right park for you and your family.  We have compiled all the state parks into one place for your convenience.

Oregon State Parks has something for everyone: Boating, Fishing, Bicycling, Camping, Canoeing, Kayaking, Hiking, Swimming or just good relaxation.  Click on any of the links below to find the specific information on boat launching fees, camp reservations and information about the park.

All state parks are controlled and maintained by the State of Oregon. They are clean, safe and well maintained by the state.


Listings

  • Agate Beach State Recreation Site

    Diggers, this park's for you! Razor clamming is a favorite activity as well as surfing. If you plan to visit prime Newport attractions like the Oregon Coast Aquarium and Hatfield Marine Science Center, you must stop in for a refreshing picnic at Agate Beach. A tunnel leads to the invigorating ocean beach and day-use area. If you walk through this tunnel, you might imagine Newport farmers many years ago leading cattle westward through this tunnel to the ocean salt.

  • Ainsworth State Park

    Nestled in the awe-inspiring Columbia River Gorge, Ainsworth is equal parts waterfall wonderland, hiker's playground and camper's delight.

  • Alderwood State Wayside

    A forested tract along Hwy 36 west of Junction City. There's a picnic area and short trail along the Long Tom River. Bring a lunch and relax!

  • Alfred A. Loeb State Park

    Your first impression of Loeb may well be the scent of the myrtlewood forest ... a crisp, bay leaf aroma. The park is nestled in a grove of these lovely trees. Many of the trees in the park are well over 200 years old. The Chetco River swirls and dances just beyond the park.

  • Alsea Bay Historic Interpretive Center

    The Historic Alsea Bay Bridge Interpretive Center in Waldport was constructed by the Oregon Department of Transportation as part of the bridge replacement project. It's operated by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department with help from the Waldport Chamber of Commerce. There are daily bridge tours during the summer (at 2 p.m.) led by a park naturalist. The tours cover the story of the bridge replacement.

  • Arcadia Beach State Recreation Site

    A shady spot, just off of the highway and a few feet from the sandy ocean beach. Take a lunch break on your way north or south on Highway 101. Kick off your shoes and leave them in the car ... you'll want to feel the sand between your toes and the waves lapping at your ankles.

  • Arizona Beach State Recreation Site

    Arizona Beach is a two-third mile stretch of sand bookended by two rocky headlands. The headlands shelter the beach from prevailing winds, creating temperatures warm enough to give the site its name.

  • Bald Peak State Scenic Viewpoint

    Bald Peak (1,629' elev.) is located where the worlds of high-tech and rural Oregon meet. Restaurants, shops, nightlife and a fast pace abound in nearby Hillsboro. Farms, wineries, fruit stands and a slower pace of life can be found in Newberg. Take a relaxing, scenic drive through the Chehalem hills from Hillsboro to Newberg. Along the way, stop at Bald Peak State Park, where you will experience a stunning view of the Willamette Valley.

  • Bandon State Natural Area

    Bandon awaits the beachcomber, the explorer, the artist and the dreamer. Located along Bandon's Beach Loop Road, there are several locations with beach access, picnicking and unsurpassed views. Parking is ample at all locations.

  • Banks-Vernonia State Trail

    Stop. Look. Listen. Not for the train ... it doesn't whistle along this old, abandoned, 21-mile railroad anymore. Listen to the rustling wind, birds and trickling streams. Stop at Banks. Stop at Manning. Stop at Buxton. Stop at Stub Stewart. Stop at Tophill, Beaver Creek, or Vernonia. Stop at any of these trailheads and get on this trail to walk, bicycle, clop along on your horse or push the stroller. Look at the old trestles and gorgeous wildflowers, animals and trees. Hop on board. 21 miles of adventure await. There's a ticket with your name on it.

  • Bates State Park

    Bates State Park was once the site of a thriving lumber mill and an adjacent company town set in a lush valley in the Blue Mountains. The mill closed in the mid-1970s. Families--and in some instances their houses--moved to nearby Prairie City and John Day. The mill buildings and town were dismantled; the land sat empty for more than 35 years.

  • Battle Mountain Forest State Scenic Corridor

    Battle Mountain Forest State Scenic Corridor -- located on U.S. 395 nine miles north of Ukiah -- was purchased to protect the forest of ponderosa pine, larch, Douglas fir and spruce. It provides prime habitat for all kinds of wildlife. The name commemorates one of the last battles between native Americans and settlers in eastern Oregon. This confrontation took place near the park.

  • Beachside State Recreation Site

    A few miles south of Waldport and north of Yachats on the central coast, this small, exquisite destination campground is right alongside miles of broad, sandy beach that makes the park perfect for kite flying and watching. Tent and electric sites accommodate one vehicle per site. Every site is mere seconds from the beach, which makes the park perfect for watching storms, sunsets and whales.

  • Beaver Creek State Natural Area

    Bring your binoculars, boots or small boat to Beaver Creek. This new park offers paddling, bird watching, walks in the marshland and hiking in upland meadows. Put in your kayak or canoe at the Ona Beach launch. The two-mile paddle meanders up the Beaver Creek valley with views of the surrounding Sitka spruce and alder forested hills. Look for beaver, river otter, muskrat and nutria. If you're lucky, you may see a Roosevelt elk or black-tailed deer.

  • Benson State Recreation Area

    Simon Benson was a lumber magnate, philanthropist, and one of the principal promoters of the Historic Columbia River Gorge Highway. Located one mile west of Multnomah Falls on I-84 at milepost 30 (eastbound access only), picnickers love this park; there's even a disc golf course and a reservable shelter for groups.

  • Beverly Beach State Park

    Beverly Beach is popular for a reason! Like magic, a well-known walkway goes under the highway and emerges to the long expanse of sandy beach extending from Yaquina Head (you can see the lighthouse from here) to the headlands of Otter Rock. When the weather cooperates, kites color the air and whip in the wind. Bring a bucket and build a sand castle! Surfers often head to the north beach, while folks looking for fossils head south.

  • Blue Mountain Forest State Scenic Corridor

    Blue Mountain Forest State Scenic Corridor lies along the Old Oregon Trail Highway between Deadman's Pass and Spring Creek. The corridor protects one of the few examples of mature evergreen forests on I-84 between Ogden, Utah and The Dalles, Oregon.

  • Bob Straub State Park

    This park is located in Pacific City and provides beach access, parking, and restrooms. It's a nice place to go for a walk on the beach and explore the Nestucca sand spit. The Nestucca River is legendary for 50 pound chinook salmon.

  • Boiler Bay State Scenic Viewpoint

    A miraculous and rugged, basalt-rimmed bay, Boiler Bay is a great place to watch wild surf action on the rocky spurs. This splendid panoramic viewpoint presents a good opportunity to see migrating and resident gray whales. Take your binoculars -- this is one of the best sites in Oregon to see ocean-going birds (like shearwaters, jaegers, albatrosses, grebes, pelicans, loons, oystercatchers and murrelets). In 1910, an explosion sank the J. Marhoffer, and you can see the ship's boiler at low-tide. A short, rough trail takes you to some of Oregon's richest tide pools.

  • Bolon Island Tideways State Scenic Corridor

    This park is a quiet place with a hiking trail that extends half way around the island. Lots of birds roost at the end of the trail. The trail also provides a nice view of the Umpqua River. There's no drinking water at this site.

  • Bonnie Lure State Recreation Area

    If you want to get off the beaten path, Bonnie Lure State Park along Eagle Creek provides a refreshing getaway. You may catch a rare glimpse of a pileated woodpecker or hook an elusive steelhead trout (otherwise known as a silver-sided freight train) on its way back to the hatchery. It could easily become your favorite day-trip destination.

  • Booth State Scenic Corridor

    Picnic under a stand of old-growth ponderosa pine. You'll find all the conveniences: picnic tables, drinking water and modern restrooms. The mixed forest which borders the highway (through an area the locals call Drews Gap), is especially colorful in the fall thanks to stands of quaking aspen.

  • Bradley State Scenic Viewpoint

    This park was one of the first parcels donated as park land to the Oregon Highway Commission in 1922. One of the few rest stops along Highway 30, you'll find a restroom, monument, and a wondrous Douglas fir forest overlooking the Columbia River.

  • Bridal Veil Falls State Scenic Viewpoint

    Travel west on the Historic Columbia River Highway about 3/4 of a mile to the entrance of Bridal Veil Falls State Park. The park offers a nice parking area, picnic tables and restrooms all within easy walking distance from the parking area. Nice grassy areas afford visitors a chance to stretch a blanket in one of the laziest parts of the Columbia River Gorge. No day-use fee is charged; admission is free.

  • Bullards Beach State Park

    Bullards Beach is a large, family-oriented park located just two miles north of Bandon. The campground is nestled among shore pines and well protected from the strong ocean breezes. Besides three loops of campsites, the park boasts 13 yurts, making year-round camping a very popular choice. The horse camp features easy access to the beach and dunes for our equestrian campers.

  • Cape Arago State Park

    Cape Arago may be the end of the road (the road out of Coos Bay goes no further), but it's really only the beginning if you want to explore the southern Oregon coast.

  • Cape Blanco State Park

    Use our extra-large, private, sheltered campsites as your base of operations while you enjoy the lighthouse and historic Hughes House tours.

  • Cape Kiwanda State Natural Area

    Cape Kiwanda is part of the Three Capes Scenic Route (along with Cape Meares and Cape Lookout). Kiwanda is the smallest of the three, but it's one of the best places to experience spectacular wave action. Pacific City is the home of the Pacific Dory Fleet. South of Cape Kiwanda is the dory boat launching area. North of Cape Kiwanda to Tierra Del Mar is a stretch of beach popular with picnickers. Kiwanda provides great hang gliding and kite flying opportunities.

  • Cape Lookout State Park

    Cape Lookout State Park can be reached by traveling an hour and a half west of Portland through the scenic Wilson River pass. Along the way, stop and enjoy waterfalls, scenic views and some great fishing.

  • Cape Meares State Scenic Viewpoint

    A must-see when driving the Three Capes Scenic route, Cape Meares State Scenic Viewpoint is situated on a headland 200 feet above the ocean. Cape Lookout and Cape Kiwanda are the other two capes on this route. Cape Meares provides an excellent view of the largest colony of nesting common murres (the site is one of the most populous colonies of nesting sea birds on the continent). Bald eagles and a peregrine falcon have also been known to nest near here.

  • Cape Sebastian State Scenic Corridor

    Cape Sebastian ... the very name invokes images of early Spanish explorers and long journeys. The cape was named in honor of Saint Sebastian in 1603 by the Spanish navigator Sebastian Vizcaino. The most striking features of this park are its two parking vistas.

  • Carl G. Washburne Memorial State Park

    Washburne is located on the east side of Highway 101 with a buffer of native plants between you and the highway. The campsites are spacious. There are several trails of varying difficulty leading from the campsites to the beach, wildlife viewing areas, and second-growth forests.

  • Cascadia State Park

    The first thing that strikes you when you arrive at Cascadia is the tranquility. While the park is quite large, there are barely two dozen campsites, making this a great spot for an intimate getaway. The campground and east picnic area are open May 1-September 30. The west picnic area is open year-round.

  • Casey State Recreation Site

    Picture yourself reeling in a salmon, steelhead or trout at Casey State Park. Cradled in the arms of the wild and scenic Rogue River, bring your family and have a picnic on the lush, tree-ringed lawns or raft the river. A relaxing and fun spot.

  • Catherine Creek State Park

    Tranquil, crystal-clear waters and towering ponderosa pines frame the landscape at Catherine Creek State Park. Cradled in a canyon created by the creek, the park provides visitors a cool, quiet and peaceful setting for outdoor activities. Camp in the campground next to Catherine Creek and enjoy the thrill of landing a rainbow trout or simply cool your heels in its icy waters.

  • Champoeg State Heritage Area

    Champoeg features a unique combination of history, nature, and recreation. This is the site where Oregon's first provisional government was formed by a historical vote in 1843.

  • Chandler State Wayside

    Take a break from the open road and pull into this uncharacteristically wooded area. Have a spot of lunch alongside a cool stream or rest in the shade of large ponderosa pine. The park has picnic tables, drinking water, flush toilets, and access to Crooked Creek, home to rainbow trout and crayfish.

  • Clay Myers State Natural Area at Whalen Island

    The Clay Myers State Natural Area at Whalen Island is a remarkable place. A virtually untouched coastal estaurine ecosystem, it is bounded by the Sand Creek estuary. This is critically valuable habitat for adult salmon moving upstream to spawn and for smolt leaving the inland fresh waters for their marine journey. The area is a ecological potpourri, including mixed woodlands, grasslands, fresh and saltwater wetlands (the Lillian Parker Craft Wetland) and a rare native dune sedgeland. Species run the gamut from salmon and steelhead to shorebirds to deer, otter, and even bear and cougar.

  • Cline Falls State Scenic Viewpoint

    On the banks of the Deschutes River lies a quaint rest area that provides plenty of shade for picnickers. An ideal place to stop for a break, lunch or simply to relax in the warm sun. The park provides fishing access to the river.

  • Clyde Holliday State Recreation Site

    Think of Clyde Holliday State Recreation Site as an oasis. Its tall, willowy cottonwood trees provide shade and serenity. Each campsite is clothed with a variety of trees and other plants to give you that private, secluded feeling. The park borders the beautiful John Day River and is surrounded on all sides by some of Oregon's most pristine wilderness areas. You're as likely to have wildlife neighbors as human ones: the majestic Rocky Mountain elk and mule deer are frequent visitors. You can experience the thrill of seeing steelhead rush upriver to spawn. The park lies in the shadow of the Strawberry Mountain Range just a short drive away.

  • Collier Memorial State Park

    Collier Memorial State Park features a campground; outdoor museum of historic logging equipment; relocated pioneer village; and a new four-corral, primitive horse camp and trailhead. At the state's finest logging museum, you'll see rare and antique logging equipment dating to the 1880s, as well as more recent pieces

  • Coquille Myrtle Grove State Natural Site

    Coquille Myrtle Grove will bring out the Huckleberry Finn in you. Located along the Powers Highway, this secluded swimming hole has a shaded myrtlewood grove near the parking area and a sandy beach along the Coquille River just a short way down the hill. Bring your innertube and float along with the river's gentle current. No drinking water at site.

  • Crissey Field State Recreation Site

    Stroll along the edge of the Winchuck River estuary until it joins the Pacific Ocean. Birds abound. Harbor seals and California sea lions surf and feed in this rich mix of fresh and salt water. Follow the trail through ancient driftwood logs into a fragile dune system filled with unique native plant species, miniature wetlands, and old-growth Sitka spruce trees.

  • Crown Point State Scenic Corridor

    Millions of visitors driving from Portland through the Columbia River Gorge don't realize the full impact of its beauty until they come around the bend near Corbett at exit 22 and see the famous building on the top of the cliff to the right. This is Crown Point and the building is the Vista House.

  • D River State Recreation Site

    The shortest river in the world, D River flows a mere 120 feet from Devils Lake into the roaring ocean. The park is right off the highway with easy access to a busy -- and reliably windy --beach. D River Wayside is home to a pair of the world?s largest kite festivals every spring and fall which gives Lincoln City the name Kite Capital of the World.

  • Dabney State Recreation Area

    The classic summer place, Dabney has been a popular cooling-off swimming and picnic spot for over 50 years. It's easy to see why when you visit. The lower, older part of the park at the west end features an asphalt trail leading down to a classic swimming hole. Large picnic tables and briquette grills and a reservable shelter with electricity fill up quickly on hot days. The newer parts of the park feature a covered, reservable picnic shelter and trails winding through tall bamboo, horsetail, cottonwoods and alders.

  • Darlingtonia State Natural Site

    Darlingtonia State Natural Site is the only Oregon state park property dedicated to the protection of a single plant species. Concurrently, the plants it protects are the only carnivorous flora in the system.

  • Del Rey Beach State Recreation Site

    The ocean is a just a short walk from Del Rey's quiet, secluded parking area. If ever there was a place to play, fly a kite, build a sandcastle or picnic, this is it. The sunsets can be spectacular, too.

  • Deschutes River State Recreation Area

    The Deschutes River State Recreation Area is a tree-shaded, overnight oasis for campers. The sparkle-laden, swift, green rush of the Deschutes converges with the Columbia here, and there's no better place for family outing activities like hiking, mountain biking, camping, rafting, world-class steelhead and trout fishing, and equestrian trail riding.

  • Detroit Lake State Recreation Area

    Located in the Cascade Mountains, Detroit Lake State Park is the gateway to beautiful Detroit Lake. The 400-foot-deep lake was created in 1953 when the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers completed the Detroit Dam project. The lake is over nine miles long with more than 32 miles of shore line. This is the spot for all types of water sports: fishing, boating, swimming, water skiing, and personal watercraft.

  • Devils Lake State Recreation Area

    With downtown Lincoln City mere minutes away, you can glide quietly by canoe or kayak on the lake while you watch for coots, loons, ducks, cormorants, bald eagles, and grebes. As the only Oregon coast campground located in the midst of a city, the lake is a center of summertime activity. Boaters, skiers, swimmers, and personal watercraft users share the water. Kayak tours of the lake are scheduled in the summer (we provide the kayak).

  • Devils Punch Bowl State Natural Area

    Surfers and surf watchers energize this area! During winter storms, water from the restless ocean slams with a thundering roar into a hollow rock formation shaped like a huge punch bowl. The surf churns, foams, and swirls as it mixes a violent brew. The punch bowl was probably created by the collapse of the roof over two sea caves, then shaped by wave action. The park is a popular whale watching site and displays an intriguing geology. This is a scenic picnic spot atop the undulating rocky shoreline. Don't forget to explore the tidepools.

  • Dexter State Recreation Site

    Zipping down Highway 58 east of Eugene, you'll suddenly find yourself driving along side a long, skinny reservoir. In spring, summer and fall, the Dexter and Lookout Point Reservoirs are dotted with boats. Whether you like to fish or boat, you'll find a pair of convenient day-use parks on the lake.

  • Driftwood Beach State Recreation Site

    Driftwood Beach State Wayside provides access to the ocean and picnic facilities scattered among the shore pine. The area offers a wide, flat, sandy beach. A great place for beachcombing and enjoying beautiful sunsets.

  • Ecola State Park

    One of Ecola State Park's first attractions was a beached whale. In 1806, Capt. William Clark and twelve members of the Corps of Discovery climbed over rocky headlands and fought their way through thick shrubs and trees to get to the whale in what is now Ecola State Park. Today, a paved road from Cannon Beach makes your trek to the park much easier. Winding your way through towering Sitka spruce, you suddenly emerge upon a breathtaking view of the Pacific Ocean. Be sure to have your camera ready.

  • Elijah Bristow State Park

    Elijah Bristow State Park is located on the Willamette River, and is easy to reach via State Highway 58 southeast of the Eugene. The park was named for one of the first pioneer settlers in Lane County and is comprised of 847 acres of scattered meadows, woodlands and wetlands. Elijah Bristow has more than 10 miles of trail for hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians. Part of the trail system includes a portion of the Eugene to Pacific Crest trail.

  • Ellmaker State Wayside

    On the highway between Newport and Corvallis, this land works equally well as a highway rest stop and tree preserve. Fruit trees are still found on the south side. Four picnic tables border a spacious, grassy meadow. A small stream flows from the northeast through the fir forest to join the Tumtum River.

  • Emigrant Springs State Heritage Area

    Perched near the summit of the Blue Mountains, Emigrant Springs State Heritage Area offers visitors an opportunity to camp and explore a popular pioneer stop over along the Oregon Trail. The park is nestled in an old-growth forest.

  • Erratic Rock State Natural Site

    This 40-ton rock was deposited during a prehistoric flood. Other than this specimen, rocks of this type are only found in Canada. It was carried here on an iceberg during an Ice Age some 20,000 years ago, probably by way of the Columbia River. The rock was deposited when the ice melted. This is the largest glacial erratic found in the Willamette Valley. The trail to the rock provides an excellent view of Yamhill Valley Vineyards.

  • Face Rock State Scenic Viewpoint

    There is an American Indian legend about this spot. Some say they hear a maiden's voice on the wind, and standing on the cliff overlooking the ocean you can easily pick out the face on Face Rock. There is a well-kept trail to the beach, and several rocky intertidal areas to explore at low tide.

  • Fall Creek State Recreation Area

    Cascara campground, on the south shore near the point where Fall Creek enters the lake, is tucked away amid towering Douglas fir trees. The 47 primitive campsites are great for tenters who remember that there are times when "roughing it" means just that. Every site comes equipped with a fire ring and picnic table. The campground has a swimming area, complete with a deck, and boat ramp.

  • Farewell Bend State Recreation Area

    Historic Farewell Bend State Recreation Area, located on the Oregon/Idaho border north of Ontario, offers a beautiful desert experience on the banks of the Snake River's Brownlee Reservoir. Pioneers on the Oregon Trail took a final rest here before leaving the Snake River to travel wearily inland on their way to Oregon City. Historic markers and interpretive displays provide visitors with information on Farewell Bend's significance on the Oregon Trail. The RV and tent campgrounds make excellent basecamps as you explore the region. Oregon Trail wagon ruts are visible just up the road. The National Oregon Trail Interpretive Center is less than an hour away in Baker City.

  • Fogarty Creek State Recreation Area

    Where the creek and ocean meet, you'll find ingredients that make the spirit soar. Discover this park's perfect wind-sheltered picnic areas. In case of rain, head for the covered picnic shelter. Walk the wooden footbridges arching through the Sitka spruce, western hemlock, shore pine and alder forest. At the cliff-rimmed beach, a lazy creek flows into the sea, cutting through an enchanting scenic ocean cove. This park has some of the best birdwatching and tidepooling on the coast.

  • Fort Rock Cave

    The Fort Rock Basin has served as a vital part of the Native American lifestyle. Fort Rock Cave is near Fort Rock State Natural Area, and is the site of an archaeological discovery of several 9,000 to 11,000 year-old sagebrush sandals. This property serves as a reminder of the rich cultural heritage that has shaped so much of Oregon's history. The story of the Fort Rock Basin is told by the artifacts left behind and by the rich oral tradition of the tribes who claim the area as home.

  • Fort Rock State Natural Area

    Like a desert mirage, this National Natural Landmark rises huge out of the barren, immense flatness of Oregon's high desert. An enormous near-circle of towering jagged rock walls make it seem like a fort. Hike around and you'll soon realize it's even bigger than it looks! It's an old tuff ring set in what was a shallow sea in prehistoric times. As you walk around inside, imagine the early American Indians who canoed to and from what was then an island. Sandals found in a nearby cave are the oldest ever discovered, dating back around 9,000-13,000 years [check out the Fort Rock Cave page for information on tours].

  • Fort Stevens State Park

    Fort Stevens was the primary military defense installation in the three fort Harbor Defense System at the mouth of the Columbia River (Forts Canby and Columbia in Washington were the other two). The fort served for 84 years, beginning with the Civil War and closing at the end of World War II. Today, Fort Stevens has grown into a 4,200 acre park offering exploration of history, nature, and recreational opportunities.

  • Fort Yamhill State Heritage Area

    Built in the mid-1800s to regulate the eastern border of the Grand Ronde Agency Coastal Reservation, Fort Yamhill represented a time of transition for the people of the Northwest. The fort served to ease tension between settlers and natives, protect both populations and control traffic between them.

  • Frenchglen Hotel State Heritage Site

    Frenchglen Hotel is a small slice of peace and quiet in southeastern Oregon at the gateway to the mighty Steens Mountain. Offering rooms for rent, the accommodations are rustic and the food is excellent.You don't need to drive to the Sierra Nevada or Montana to get that glorious wide-open sky feeling.

  • Geisel Monument State Heritage Site

    Within this historic site of a Rogue Indian war skirmish, the park contains the grave sites of the Geisel family. It is a peaceful, secluded picnic area to enjoy, while traveling along Highway 101.

  • George W. Joseph State Natural Area

    Access to George Joseph State Park is possible by using the trail from Latourell Falls and Guy Talbot State Park. A trail leads from the parking lot to the top of lower Latourell Falls. Beyond this point on the trail, you've entered the enchanted forest of George Joseph State Park where sword fern, moss and lichens are barely illuminated through the dense stands of timber. Continue on the trail to a rarely visited wonder which is upper Latourell Falls.

  • Gleneden Beach State Recreation Site

    It's not your imagination ... those really are seal heads peering at you from the surf! A short paved trail descends from the parking and picnic area through the shore pine forest to a soft sand beach flanked by crumbling orange sandstone bluffs. Wetsuit-clad surfers often catch waves here in the mornings. As you hike to the right along the beach, the horizon is dominated by the dark green cape of Cascade Head. In case you decide to venture onward, please don't disturb the sea lions found at the tip of the four mile Salishan Spit.

  • Golden State Heritage Site

    At its peak, the 1850s mining town of Golden, now a ghost town, was home to 100 people and served as a hub for many others who worked the land in more remote locations. Golden was distinguished by its lack of saloons in the town center, its two active churches and the large orchard established by its founding families. Today, visitors can explore the remaining settlements perched above the valley where miners once toiled.

  • Golden and Silver Falls State Natural Area

    A hidden gem in the dense coastal forests of southwest Oregon, Golden and Silver Falls State Natural Area may be hard to find, but it's well worth the 24-mile drive from Highway 101. The small parking and picnic area are located along the banks of Glenn and Silver Creeks and is shaded by large maple, alder, and Oregon myrtle trees. Hiking trails wind through scenic canyons to each of the waterfalls -- they plunge over sheer rock cliffs to moss covered boulders 100 feet below.

  • Goose Lake State Recreation Area

    Goose Lake State Recreation Area is a green and shady lakeside destination of wildlife and wildlife watchers on the Oregon-California border. Its grassy expanse also makes it an inviting place to camp or find boating access. It is home to many species of birds and other wildlife including a large herd of mule deer which spend much of the time in the 48-site campground.

  • Government Island State Recreation Area

    Government Island (in the Columbia River northeast of Portland) is a series of islands accessible by boat only. There are two docks and a floating tie-up on the north side of the main island. Although restrooms are located throughout, rules signs and restrooms also are located at West Lemon Island, SE Lemon, Commodore (near I205 north), Government Island Landing (west dock), Bartlett Landing (east dock), SE McGuire, and about two miles east of south I-205 (South Beach)

  • Governor Patterson Memorial State Recreation Site

    Governor Patterson State Park is a beachcomber's delight. ... miles of flat, sandy beach and just a short hike from the mouth of Alsea Bay where you can windsurf, crab, or just watch the seals. Excellent whale and storm watching. Sunsets are beautiful here and it's a great place to take photos.

  • Guy W. Talbot State Park

    Guy Webster Talbot and his family used this property as a summer estate until 1929 when they donated it to the state. Today, it's a beautiful picnic park. A modern picnic shelter is available for rent (and is reservable).While the park is terrific for a group or family picnic, the park is often uncrowded even on the best days because of its seclusion. A gently sloping grassy hill dotted with Port Orford cedars, Douglas firs, alders and maples invites frisbee tossing and quiet relaxation.

  • H.B. Van Duzer Forest State Scenic Corridor

    Enjoy your drive through this scenic corridor surrounding Highway 18. Along the way, there's a place to pull off, stretch your legs and enjoy a spot of lunch amid a captivating ancient forest. If the time is right, get ready for some exciting wildlife viewing. A weekday would be the most peaceful, and give you a chance to discover the old growth Douglas-fir trees along the Salmon River. Stay alert for salmon, deer and Roosevelt elk. Exactly one mile east of the park entrance is a pull-out with a short trail leading to a swimming hole beneath more ancient trees.

  • Harris Beach State Park

    Harris Beach was named after the Scottish pioneer George Harris who settled here in the late 1880s to raise sheep and cattle. The park boasts the largest island off the Oregon coast. Bird Island (also called Goat Island) is a National Wildlife Sanctuary and breeding site for such rare birds as the tufted puffin. The park offers sandy beaches interspersed with eroded sea stacks.

  • Hat Rock State Park

    Hat Rock State Park, located off U.S. Highway 730 nine miles east of Umatilla, lies on the south shore of Lake Wallula behind McNary Dam on the Columbia River. Hat Rock was the first distinctive landmark passed by the Lewis and Clark Expedition on their journey down the Columbia, and is one of the few remaining sites not underwater.

  • Heceta Head Lighthouse State Scenic Viewpoint

    Heceta Head State Park (which includes Devils Elbow State Park) is located in a cove at the mouth of Cape Creek. There are picnic tables sheltered from the wind and a great view of the ocean. A short trail leads to the historic Heceta Head lighthouse and lighthouse keeper's house. A recently-completed trail gives you a spectacular view of the coast north to Cape Perpetua.

  • Heritage Landing (Deschutes)

    Heritage Landing is a popular jetboaters launch. It provides access to the Deschutes and Columbia Rivers. This is where river guides meet their clients, families gather to head out onto the Columbia River for salmon fishing or water skiing, and everyone collects to share the excitement of their big catch. Jetboating is allowed on the lower segment of the Deschutes River all year around except alternating weekends from June - September; boaters passes are required.

  • Hilgard Junction State Park

    Hilgard Junction State Park is next to Interstate 84 at its intersection with Highway 244 near the Grande Ronde River. The park offers camping and daytime activities amongst the cottonwood and ponderosa pine. The Grande Ronde River flows through the park, enticing anglers, rafters and swimmers. Beaver, mink, deer and a variety of birds inhabit the park area and can be viewed throughout the year.

  • Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail

    Where motorists on old U.S. Highway 30 once crept around curves high along the cliffs of the Columbia River Gorge, hikers, bicyclists and users of other muscle-driven forms of transportation leisurely enjoy the view from the Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail. The trail, two disconnected paved ribbons along abandoned stretches of the historic highway, give you more than 10 miles of sightseeing thrills.

  • Hoffman Memorial State Wayside

    Hoffman Memorial Myrtle Grove is a shaded glen canopied with spectacular myrtlewood trees. Interpretive signing accompanies a self-guided tour brochure designed to help you experience this cool respite from the highway. There's no drinking water at the park. The myrtlewood tree is a relative of the bay laurel. Many people cook with myrtlewood leaves in place of bay leaves. Can you imagine the pungent aroma that will greet you as you enter this grove?

  • Hug Point State Recreation Site

    Just south of Cannon Beach, this little wayside gives you easy access to the beach and a peek at some interesting history. Imagine travelling by stagecoach along the beach (before the highway was built, the beach was the only way to go). North of the parking area you can still walk along the original trail carved into the point by the stagecoaches. The wayside was named after this trail because it hugs the point. Looking further north, Haystack Rock, one of the most identifiable landmarks along the coastline, is easily visible.

  • Humbug Mountain State Park

    The park and campground are dominated by Humbug Mountain (elevation 1,756 feet) and surrounded by forested hills. The campground enjoys some of the warmest weather on the Oregon coast as the surrounding mountains offer protection from cool ocean breezes. Many visitors enjoy windsurfing and scuba diving. Hiking to the top of Humbug Mountain is a major activity.

  • Illinois River Forks State Park

    Heading to or from the Oregon coast or the giant redwoods on Hwy. 199, you may want to stop for a picnic at this day-use park. Located at the confluence of the east and west forks of the Illinois River, the park offers picnic tables and restrooms. There is a short walking trail near the picnic area. The Illinois Valley is a unique geologic area with many rare plants. Visit here to enjoy the natural beauty of the area.

  • Iwetemlaykin State Heritage Site

    This 62-acre parcel of rolling grassland, set amidst the stunning backdrop of the Wallowa Mountains, became a State Heritage Area in 2009. The entire area is part of the ancestral homeland of the Nez Perce Tribe, and is a sacred place to the Nez Perce Tribe, the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation and the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. "Iwetemlaykin" is the Nez Perce name for this area of the Wallowa Lake basin. Pronounced ee-weh-TEMM-lye-kinn, the name translates to "at the edge of the lake." The property is adjacent to a Nez Perce National Historical Park, site of Old Chief Joseph Gravesite and Cemetery.

  • Jackson F. Kimball State Recreation Site

    J. F. Kimball State Park is a pristine site located at the headwaters of the Wood River. This stream flows from the pine forest into open meadow land laced with picturesque quaking aspen surrounded by the southern Cascade Mountains. Wood River offers fine fishing that can be accessed from the park by canoe. Kimball Park offers primitive camping next to a spring-fed lagoon at the beginning of this waterway.

  • Jasper Point (Prineville Reservoir)

    Need a place to play? Where you can enjoy nature viewing at its finest? This is a place where those weary of hectic schedules and jangling telephones can find peace, a place where life can be pondered from a different and unique perspective. Most of all, a place carefully designed and maintained for people -- for the mother and her baby out for a Sunday drive, for the father teaching his son how to fish, for the teenager who wants to get away for a bit, for the couple on a weekend camping trip, for the grandparents who just want to take it easy for a week.

  • Jasper State Recreation Site

    After you visit Jasper for the first time, you might be tempted to tell all your friends about it. Go ahead. We don't mind. The park has plenty of room for games, picnics, fishing ... sounds like the perfect place to hold a family reunion, doesn't it? The reservable group shelters come complete with covered cooking facilities.

  • Jessie M. Honeyman Memorial State Park

    Situated half way up the Oregon coast and three miles south of Florence on scenic Highway 101 is the second largest overnight camp in the state. There are two miles of sand dunes between the park and the ocean. Two natural freshwater lakes are within the park. Cleawox -- which is great for swimming -- and Woahink, which has a public boat ramp, is used for all water sports. Rent a canoe and explore the lake.

  • John B. Yeon State Scenic Corridor

    John B. Yeon Scenic Corridor honors a man who gave generously of his time and professional skills. He was one of the principal architects of the Historic Columbia River Highway (US 30); a major portion of the scenic highway joins I-84 westbound at Yeon State Park.

  • Joseph H. Stewart State Recreation Area

    Picture yourself in a campsite overlooking Lost Creek Reservoir with wildlife, large conifer trees, and mountains surrounding you. Take a hike or bike ride on our 11-mile trail system, through the forest with year-round streams and wildlife viewing. Take a swim in the cool, mountain water; rent a boat from the marina (call (541) 560-3646 for information), and troll the 10-mile lake for trout and bass ... an angler's dream. Or bring your own boat and waterskis, and spend a few days in the sun.

  • Kam Wah Chung State Heritage Site

    Kam Wah Chung Museum is a must-see for anyone with an interest in Oregon history. Preserving the legacy of the Chinese workforce in Oregon, the museum contains artifacts and displays that share some of the trials of everyday life of these people.

  • Koberg Beach State Recreation Site

    Once upon a time -- from about 1915 to about 1950 -- a giant wonderful dance hall and outdoor resort existed at Koberg Beach. When the town of Hood River wanted to cool off or go ballroom dancing to the sounds of a swing orchestra, they went to Koberg Beach. Eventually, the ballroom and the beach had to make way for the rising Columbia River when hydroelectric dams were constructed. For a complete view of the way it was, go see the Koberg Beach exhibit at the Hood River County Museum in Hood River.

  • L.L. Stub Stewart State Park

    Stub Stewart State Park is the playground in your backyard. Just 31 miles west of Portland, the park offers camping, picnicking and hiking. If you like trails, this is the park for you. Explore more than 20 miles of trails. Bring your horse or bicycle and spend hours exploring the far reaches of the park. After a day of play, finding a quiet spot to relax is easy in the 1,673 acres of lush rolling hills, forest and deep canyons.

  • LaPine State Park

    If you want to immerse yourself in a subalpine pine forest where the air has that high-Cascades tang; to stay in a clean, quiet campground next to a twisting, cold river brimming with trout (and a nearby legendary fly fishing spot) and surrounded by miles of waiting-to-be-explored wilderness; to sit smack in the middle of dozens of high-mountain lakes (in winter, near some of the best ski-spots in the land); to see eagles or red-tailed hawks grabbing breakfast right in front of you; or, to just sit in a campsite pondering what you might do tomorrow ...

  • Lake Owyhee State Park

    Lake Owyhee State Park lies next to a 53-mile-long lake formed by Owyhee Dam. Breathtaking views of the Owyhee Mountains await. A boat trip up the lake (we sell fuel and ice) from the park is one of the many not-to-be-missed experiences in eastern Oregon. Look closely! Bighorn sheep and pronghorn antelope live here, as do golden eagles, coyotes, mule deer, wild horses and (rarely) mountain lions. Critters aren't your game? Rockhounds and hikers are welcome in this wilderness paradise. Use the park as your base camp to explore the badlands of Oregon.

  • Lewis and Clark State Recreation Site

    Located at the western gateway of the Columbia River Gorge, Lewis & Clark State Park appropriately honors its legendary namesakes who camped and explored here in November, 1805. The park is situated near the mouth of the Sandy River where it spills into the mighty Columbia River and at one of the entrances to the Historic Columbia River Highway. A flat, grassy, tree-dotted park invites blankets and sun-lovers to come spend a leisurely day.

  • Lost Creek State Recreation Site

    Lost Creek State Park is located seven miles south of Newport, Oregon. The park is developed for picnicking and beach access. Great for beachcombing, whale watching and incredible sunsets.

  • Lowell State Recreation Site

    Zipping down Highway 58 east of Eugene, you suddenly find yourself driving along side a long, skinny reservoir. In spring, summer and fall, the Dexter and Lookout Point Reservoirs are dotted with boats. Whether you like to picnic, fish, boat or just walk, you'll find a pair of convenient day-use parks on the lake.

  • Luckiamute Landing State Natural Area

    The Luckiamute River meanders through the 615-acre north tract, flowing into the Willamette River from the west and just a stone's throw from the Santiam River confluence from the east. Travelers paddling the Willamette Water Trail can camp at the boater access only site. If you don't have a canoe or kayak, the North Trailhead opens nearly 3 miles of hiking trails along a meadow and through a riparian hardwood forest of Oregon ash and bigleaf maple.

  • Manhattan Beach State Recreation Site

    You'll find this day-use park just off of Highway 101 north of Rockaway. Picnic tables are nestled into small cul-de-sacs surrounded by shore pine to provide a break from the wind. After a leisurely lunch, kick off your shoes and take the short walk down the access trail to the ocean beach. A thoroughly relaxing spot.

  • Maples Rest Area

    The Maples Rest Area is the only rest area between Sisters, Oregon and Salem. It is a well- maintained rest stop with large grass lawns and a pet exercise area. There is plenty of parking for every type of vehicle including RVs. The beautiful Cal Leitch Nature Trail was constructed in 1973. There are picnic tables for visitors convenience. There is easy access and egress to Highway 22, the main route through the Cascade Mountains.

  • Mary S. Young State Recreation Area

    Mary S. Young State Park offers you a peaceful place to walk or sit by the Willamette River. This quiet, forested park is a favorite for urban birders. As you walk deeper into the forest on the numerous trails (5-8 miles worth), it?s easy to forget you?re in a city. It's a quick but refreshing stop if you don't have time for a drive to the country. See a trail map and aerial photo (courtesy of the City of West Linn).

  • Maud Williamson State Recreation Site

    Maud Williamson occupies a flat edge of cultivated Willamette Valley farm land on the west side of the Salem-Dayton highway. It's covered by a fine stand of second-growth Douglas fir. The park also includes a historic farm house once occupied by the person who donated the property as a park.

  • Mayer State Park

    If you need an open invitation to go explore a peaceful tree-lined lake in the summertime, consider yourself invited. Go see lower Mayer State Park from the top of Rowena Crest and soak in a view of the most beautiful lake around. Both are actually within Mayer State Park, but few people know that.

  • McVay Rock State Recreation Site

    McVay is a well-hidden park noted for surf fishing, clamming, whale watching, and plenty of space to walk on the beach. The large lawn area is great for blanket picnics. The park is elevated above the ocean. As you walk along the edge, you?ll often have eye-to-eye encounters with the seabirds catching the updrafts from the beach.

  • Memaloose State Park

    The Chinook Indian tribes of the Columbia Gorge used to lay the bones of their dead on open pyres on Memaloose Island in the middle of the Columbia River near The Dalles. A granite monument visible from Memaloose State Park campground marks the resting place where a local pioneer named Victor Trevitt wished to chart his eternal course buried among honorable men.

  • Milo McIver State Park

    Situated along the scenic Clackamas River, McIver State Park is only 45 minutes from Portland. This beautiful park provides a variety of outstanding recreational opportunities.

  • Minam State Recreation Area

    This park is located in a remote steep valley. Large pine trees dominate the landscape. The picturesque Wallowa River flows through the park and is noted for its fishing and rafting. Steelhead fishing in the spring and fall attracts many people. Wildlife is abundant; deer, bear, elk and an occasional cougar are seen in the area. Raft rentals are available at a nearby store and with a trip down the river, you could even see mountain sheep. A wide variety of flowers bloom in the spring.

  • Molalla River State Park

    Imagine combining a scenic drive, hiking, picnicking, fishing, boating, and wildlife viewing and a ferry ride all in one location. You can do it all at Molalla River State Park near Canby, Oregon.

  • Mongold (Detroit Lake)

    Mongold Day Use area is 1.5 miles west of Detroit Lake State Park. It's the only public boat launch facility on the lake featuring a swimming area, grass beach, picnic facilities and restrooms. Mongold is a year-round fee area.

  • Munson Creek State Natural Site

    The park is home to ancient western red cedar and Sitka spruce. An important salmon spawning ground, Munson Creek Falls tumbles 319', making it the tallest waterfall in the Coast Range. A trail system winds through the hills to the waterfall.

  • Muriel O. Ponsler Memorial State Scenic Viewpoint

    Picnicking with whale watching, beachcombing and a view of the beach. There are approximately five miles of sandy beach with China Creek to the south of the park. J.C Ponsler donated the land in 1938 in memory of his wife, Muriel.

  • Nehalem Bay State Park

    Imagine waking up to the song of the seagull, spending your afternoon on a kayak trip around Nehalem Bay, then taking a short walk over the dunes to the beach. There you'll sit with a blanket and watch the sun set over the ocean in the shadow of Neah-Kah-Nie Mountain. Finally, snuggle down for the night while the ocean waves sing you a lullaby. This is Nehalem Bay State Park.

  • Neptune State Scenic Viewpoint

    Benches set on a cliff above the beach give you an excellent view of Cumming Creek, wildlife and the rock-pounding waves. From this location, you can watch for whales, see a variety of birds, sea lions and the occasional deer in the creek. The creek is also a great place to look for agates. At low tide you can walk to the south to see a natural cave and tidepools.

  • Neskowin Beach State Recreation Site

    The long beach and Cascade headland are delightfully pristine. In the town of Neskowin, you'll find a general store, restaurant and two golf courses amid the posh cottages. A bit north, you can canoe and kayak on the relatively undeveloped estuary of Nestucca Bay. The Cascade Head bike trail is conveniently close. Walk the Cascade Head Trail which skirts Neskowin and passes through magnificent stands of spruce and ocean views (who knows ... you may catch a glimpse of some elk).

  • North Santiam State Recreation Area

    North Santiam State Park plays host to some of the most beautiful riverfront in the area. It is one of the finest steelhead fishing spots on the North Santiam River. North Santiam State Park is a primitive campground and day-use area with drinking fountain and restroom facilities. Picnic tables dot the grass, making North Santiam State Park a great place to stop to stretch and eat a picnic lunch. Hiking trails show the beauty of the large old-growth trees and the river.

  • OC&E Woods Line State Trail

    Welcome to the OC&E Woods Line State Trail -- Oregon's longest linear park! This 100-mile, rail-to-trail conversion is built on the old railbed of the Oregon, California, and Eastern Railroad. The trail is open for all non-motorized recreation, beginning in the heart of Klamath Falls, extending east to Bly and north to the lush Sycan Marsh. From its beginnings as a railroad carrying millions of board feet of timber and railcars loaded with cattle, to its present cargo of recreational trail users, this railroad line has always been on the move.

  • Oceanside Beach State Recreation Site

    Located in the center of the community of Oceanside, this park offers some of the best agate hunting during the winter season when the sand is stripped away by ocean currents. During the summer season, the park is a popular place to beachcomb, explore tidepools and surf.

  • Ona Beach State Park

    Ona Beach State Park is located 8 miles south of Newport, Oregon. The park is a fine, forested ocean flat now developed for extensive daytime shore use. Easy access for beachcombing and great for large picnic gatherings.

  • Ontario State Recreation Site

    Ontario State Recreation Site is a restful day-use park situated on the west bank of the historic Snake River just north of Ontario, Oregon. Green grass, clean grounds, and modern restrooms greet visitors stopping to boat, fish, swim or picnic for the day. Majestic cottonwood trees, sumac and fragrant junipers offer large splashes of shade to cool the hot summer days and provide startling color in the autumn.

  • Oregon State Capitol State Park

    The park features not only cherry trees and other plants favored by Oregonians, but tells a little history as well. Stone plaques set in the mall sidewalks list the county seat and establishment date for each of Oregon's counties. On the Willson Park side of the street, flags from every state in the union sit in a circle near the Moon Tree, a state heritage tree. The young Douglas-fir, just north of the flags along Court Street, was grown from a seed carried to the moon by Apollo 14 astronaut Stuart Roosa in 1971.

  • Oswald West State Park

    Step out of your vehicle and into a place with natural beauty that truly inspires. Just a quarter mile from any of the parking areas to the beach, yet the rigors of everyday life are stripped away by the time your feet hit the sand. Although the walk is short, there are several different trails to the beach and lead you to the Cape Falcon overlook or to the Oregon Coast Trail. Be sure to pick up a map on the way into the park. All of the trails to the beach are through a mature forest; one trail follows the winding path of the Short Sands creek. This trail gives way to the spectacular view of the ocean and the creek meeting. This is your first glimpse of the ocean and Short Sands beach.

  • Otter Crest State Scenic Viewpoint

    Soak in the view from 500' above the ocean on the breathtaking crescent sweep of white sandy beach stretching to the south. Cape Foulweather is stunning and inspirational with its picturesque promontory. This popular whale watching spot also provides a good view of the Devil's Punchbowl environs. Imagine Captain Cook's first sighting on that stormy March day in 1778. The adjacent gift shop is privately owned.

  • Otter Point State Recreation Site

    Excellent walking and hiking trails overlooking pristine beaches and unusual sandstone rock formations sculpted by wind and waves.

  • Paradise Point State Recreation Site

    A parking area with an expansive coastal vista stretching from Port Orford Heads to Orfords offshore reef and distant Cape Blanco and the lighthouse there. The beach is great for beachcombing; it's not unusual to find floats and agates here.

  • Peter Skene Ogden State Scenic Viewpoint

    If you enjoy vertical basalt cliffs and scenic river canyons, the Ogden Wayside is for you. The park is perched at the top of a striking canyon. Bring a camera!

  • Pilot Butte State Scenic Viewpoint

    Come and explore an old cinder cone located just east of Bend. Hike up and around on one of three trails. The trails wind through stands of juniper and sage. All of the trails lead to the summit. Once at the top, get ready for a grand panoramic view of the high desert.

  • Pistol River State Scenic Viewpoint

    Pistol River State Park is set in the dunes of the southern Oregon coast. The river supposedly got its name when a militia soldier lost his pistol in the river during the infamous Rogue River Indian War. In March of 1856, a decisive battle was fought here.

  • Port Orford Heads State Park

    The Port Orford Lifeboat Station was constructed in 1934 by the Coast Guard to provide lifesaving service to the southern portion of the Oregon Coast until 1970. A museum, operated by the Point Orford Heritage Society, is now housed in the station. The museum is free (donations accepted, of course), and is open April-October, Thursday-Monday, 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. A 36-foot motor lifeboat used at this station is on the premises and waiting to be restored.

  • Portland Women's Forum State Scenic Viewpoint

    The view is absolutely breathtaking and it's one of the best spots to soak in a view of one of the most beautiful places on earth: the magnificent, awesome Columbia River Gorge. Any visit to the Gorge would be nearly perfect with Women's Forum as the starting place to a fun-filled day of adventure and discovery. With the scenic Vista House and the wide expanse of the Columbia Gorge in the background, more photographs of the Columbia Gorge are probably taken from this point than anywhere else (but don't let that stop you ... go ahead and take a few shots of your own).

  • Prineville Reservoir State Park

    Need a place to play? Where you can enjoy nature viewing at its finest? This is a place where those weary of hectic schedules and jangling telephones can find peace, a place where life can be pondered from a different and unique perspective. Most of all, a place carefully designed and maintained for people -- for the mother and her baby out for a Sunday drive, for the father teaching his son how to fish, for the teenager who wants to get away for a bit, for the couple on a weekend camping trip, for the grandparents who just want to take it easy for a week.

  • Prospect State Scenic Viewpoint

    Beautiful, quiet secluded forest area with picnic tables and a hiking trail leading to Pearsony Falls, the Rogue River and Mill Creek Falls. No drinking water at this site.

  • Red Bridge State Wayside

    Red Bridge State Wayside lies along Oregon Highway 244 and offers visitors overnight camping and daytime opportunities. Situated along the banks of the Grande Ronde River, the park is forested with ponderosa pine and cottonwoods. Uncrowded, quiet summer evenings greet campers and day-users alike. Enjoy a day of fishing or cool off in the gentle waters of the river.

  • Roads End State Recreation Site

    A fine place for a romantic stroll with tidepools, islands, and the headland with its hidden cove. Sailboarders come from everywhere! When Lincoln City's beaches are crowded or windy, this sheltered spot just north of town is surprisingly quiet. A short path descends to the beach at the pebbly mouth of a lazy little creek. The north beach is topped by a jumble of quaint old cottages until the beach narrows to the massive Cascade Head. Fragments of lava form ragged islands where comic, long-necked cormorants dry their black wings atop guano-stained roosts. At low tide it's possible to clamber around the headland's tip to a secret cove and beach. Don't linger too long or you'll have to wait hours until the next low tide to get out!

  • Rocky Creek State Scenic Viewpoint

    Rocky Creek is a spectacular ocean-front park on a forested bluff overlooking the ocean. Offshore rocks provide spectacular wave action in storms and are nesting areas for birds and sea lions. The viewpoint is an official Whale Spoken Here site for watching migrating and resident gray whales.

  • Rooster Rock State Park

    Spring at Rooster Rock is where spring fever happens. Imagine the first warm, sunny days of spring where meadows of wild roses and the spicy scent of Oregon grape combine with an endless panorama of the Cascade mountains, blue sky and the deep blue waters of the Columbia River. During the first sunny days of spring, people suddenly call in sick at work or school. That's when our parking lot fills up!

  • Saddle Mountain State Natural Area

    Two and a half miles. That's all it is from the parking lot (elev. 1,650') to the summit of Saddle Mountain (elev. 3,283'). Be prepared to marvel at the sheer volume of natural beauty packed onto the mountain, from a mature forest setting to fields of wildflowers to an open rocky summit. The view from the top of the mountain is one that cannot be described ... it must be experienced.

  • Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor

    This corridor is a 12 mile, forested linear park with a rugged, steep coastline interrupted by small sand beaches. This park was named in honor of Samuel H. Boardman, the first Oregon Parks superintendent. He and others of his generation felt this shining green emerald coastline should be saved for the public. What gems they gave us: admire the 300-year old sitka spruce trees, gaze at the amazing Arch Rock and Natural Bridges, and walk the 27 miles of Oregon Coast Trail that weave through giant forests.

  • Sarah Helmick State Recreation Site

    Sarah Helmick is located six miles south of Monmouth off Highway 99W. Helmick lies along the floodplain of the Luckiamute River and is forested in Douglas fir, grand fir, maple, ash, Port Orford cedar and cottonwood. There are two reservation picnic areas for groups up to 150 people each. Electricity, water, picnic tables and restrooms are provided at each site. There is plenty of shade from the bigleaf maples that tower above you. A quiet spot to walk along the trails that border the Luckiamute River, with plenty of birds and native plant life to investigate.

  • Seal Rock State Recreation Site

    Seal Rock State Wayside has large off-shore rock formations which are the habitat of seals, sea lions, sea birds and other marine life. The wayside includes interesting tidepools as well as excellent ocean views and a sandy beach. Developed for day-use, the picnic area is in a pleasant stand of shore pine, spruce and salal.

  • Seneca Fouts Memorial State Natural Area

    This would be a great place for a convention if you were a bighorn sheep. In other words, the terrain is rocky, mountainous, desolate and beautiful. This is the third leg of state parks joined together at Mitchell Point (also see Wygant and Vinzenz Lausmann).

  • Seven Devils State Recreation Site

    Seven Devils Wayside is the jumping-off point for sandy beach adventure. At this access point, you can travel several miles up and down the open beach. Agates are often the beachcombing goal of visitors to this out-of-the-way spot.

  • Shepperd's Dell State Natural Area

    In 1915, a local dairy farmer named George Shepperd gave all that he had (this tract of land) to the City of Portland as a memorial to his wife. Today, thousands of visitors along the Historic Columbia River Highway visit this beautiful spot, with its roaring waterfall cascading down steep cliffs into Youngs Creek and out to the Columbia River far below. The upper fall is around 42' tall. The lower tier is around 50' tall.

  • Shore Acres State Park

    Perched on rugged sandstone cliffs high above the ocean, Shore Acres State Park is an exciting and unexpected combination of beautiful natural and constructed features. Once the grand estate of pioneer timber baron Louis Simpson, Shore Acres features lushly planted gardens with plants and flowers from all over the world. Something is in bloom almost every day of the year.

  • Silver Falls State Park

    Nestled in the lower elevation of Oregon's Cascade Mountains lies a temperate rain forest. It is here that the Trail of Ten Falls/Canyon Trail (770k) (Acrobat required to view map) can be found. The Canyon Trail and the falls descend to a forest floor covered with ferns, mosses, and wildflowers. You will also find stands of Douglas fir, hemlock, and cedar. While thousands visit the park every year, it is large enough for you to find quiet places to sit and watch for birds (download a bird list as a text file.)

  • Smelt Sands State Recreation Site

    An excellent whale watching and photography viewpoint. Walk the historic 804 Trail (.75 miles one-way with resting benches scattered along the way). The park is known for tidepooling, rock fishing and the yearly smelt run (smelt are small, silvery relatives of salmon). Breathtaking sunsets.

  • Smith Rock State Park

    If you enjoy scenic views of deep river canyons or rock climbing, Smith Rock State Park is the place for you. There are several thousand climbs in the park. More than a thousand are bolted routes. We also offer miles of hiking and mountain biking trails. Along your trip through the canyon, you might see golden eagles, prairie falcons, mule deer, river otter and beaver.

  • South Beach State Park

    One of the most exciting additions to the program at South Beach: kayak tours. Folks who register for the activity will launch from nearby Ona Beach (5 miles south) and spend two hours exploring the fascinating Beaver Creek area with a guide.

  • South Jetty (South Beach)

    Adjacent to South Beach State Park, South Jetty offers horse access to the beach, fishing, clamming, surfing, scuba diving and (for the advanced) windsurfing when conditions permit.

  • Starvation Creek State Park

    Zooming down Interstate 84 eastbound, you might very well miss this tiny park. Nestled at the base of the sheer walls of the Columbia Gorge, Starvation Creek is much more than it appears. It is a feast for the eyes and feet.

  • Stonefield Beach State Recreation Site

    Stonefield has easy beach access. Tenmile Creek is just to the north. A great place to sit in the sun and watch for whales.

  • Succor Creek State Natural Area

    The Succor Creek Bridge in Succor Creek State Natural Area is open to pedestrians. The bridge is not open to vehicles or atvs.

  • Sumpter Valley Dredge State Heritage Area

    The Sumpter Valley Dredge is nestled at the base of the majestic granite peaks of the Elkhorn Mountain Range. The Powder River is born deep within the range and picks up speed as it spills down the Sumpter Valley, traveling through the park before reaching Phillips Reservoir.

  • Sunset Bay State Park

    Situated in one of the most scenic areas on the Oregon coast, Sunset Bay State Park features beautiful sandy beaches protected by towering sea cliffs. Only a short walk from the beach, the campground has sites for tent camping and RV's, as well as cozy and comfortable yurts. Day-use and picnic facilities are located along the bay to allow easy access for beachcombing, fishing, swimming, and boating.

  • Sunset Beach State Recreation Site

    Sunset Beach State Recreation Site comes with a very famous past. The park marks the west trailhead of the historic Fort-to-Sea Trail - a 6.5 mile route that recreates the experience Lewis and Clark and the Corps of Discovery encountered as they traveled between Fort Clatsop and the Pacific Ocean during the famous winter of 1805-6.

  • The Cove Palisades State Park

    The Cove Palisades State Park is a year-round recreational destination for the entire family. Located in our high desert region, the weather is sunny and warm in the summer months and chilly but generally mild in the winter. The park is situated among towering cliffs that surround beautiful Lake Billy Chinook.

  • Thompson's Mills State Heritage Site

    Thompson's Mills is a unique reminder of times past, chronicling the past 150 years of Oregon rural life. It is the oldest water-powered grain mill in the state: its system of waterways, dams, control gates, ditches and dikes has moved water from the Calapooia River to the mill head gates since 1858. A water right that predates statehood produced the water flow that ran the milling machines. Pioneer families came with their grain crops and left with the flour that would keep them through the coming year.

  • Tokatee Klootchman State Natural Site

    Tokatee Klootchman sits a few feet above the ocean with an excellent view. A great place to watch for whales.

  • Tolovana Beach State Recreation Site

    After a long day of shopping in Cannon Beach's boutiques, head for the heart of the city: Tolovana Wayside. Just a few steps down from the parking lot, you're on the beach with a spectacular view of Haystack Rock. A short walk down this lovely beach and you'll be at the rock's base. An amazing natural formation, many visitors feel the need for a closer look (but please don't climb!). Enjoy the beauty of the formation, tidepools around the base and abundance of wildlife -- the area is a wildlife refuge.

  • TouVelle State Recreation Site

    This is a beautiful day-use park located on the bank of the Rogue River and at the foot of the geologically prominent Table Rocks. You can fish, swim, hike, watch wildlife and experience nature at its finest. An ideal spot for family gatherings or group picnics, the site has a large picnic shelter with cooking utilities. There's a smaller picnic kitchen and three sites with water and electricity. Denman Wildlife Refuge is next to this park and teems with local and migratory wildlife -- a bird viewing paradise. Salmon and steelhead pass through seasonally on treks to and from the ocean. Rainbow trout are stocked by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. A boat ramp with toilet facilities provides excellent access to the river.

  • Tryon Creek State Natural Area

    Located only minutes from downtown Portland is Oregon's only state park within a major metropolitan area. Every day, visitors come to hike or stroll the nature trails through the verdant ravine between Boones Ferry Road and Terwilliger Boulevard in southwest Portland. Cyclists of all ages bike along the paved trail on the park's eastern edge, stopping along the way to admire a trillium.

  • Tub Springs State Wayside

    In 1846, a wagon train led by Jesse Applegate traversed southern Oregon along what became known as the Applegate Trail. Tub Springs Wayside is one of the stopping points before you head down the mountain pass into Ashland. Take a moment to stop here amid the towering fir and sense what it was like 150 years ago. Breathe in the fresh mountain air. There's an interpretive panel at the wayside describing the difficulties faced by these pioneers.

  • Tumalo State Park

    Nestled in the heart of sunny central Oregon, Tumalo rests along Oregon's spectacular Deschutes River. The campground is simultaneously close enough to the town of Bend to make an quick jaunt to the grocery store, but far enough away to escape the commotion. Its location makes it an ideal stepping stone for any type of outdoor activity you could possibly dream of: lush green golf courses, clear blue-ribbon trout steams, pristine alpine lakes, miles upon miles of challenging yet scenic hiking and mountain bike trails, and of course the Cascade Mountains are all within easy reach.

  • Ukiah-Dale Forest State Scenic Corridor

    Ukiah-Dale Forest State Scenic Corridor along Highway 395 follows the North Fork of the John Day River and Camas Creek. Winding through a stately ponderosa pine, Douglas fir and western larch forest the corridor provides a pleasant scenic drive and access to a popular fishing spot. Near Ukiah, amidst old-growth pines and larch, the campground provides a perfect location to stay and relax next to the soothing waters of Camas Creek.

  • Umpqua Lighthouse State Park

    Umpqua Lighthouse State Park is located less than a mile from the famous Salmon Harbor on Winchester Bay. The campground and developed day use areas are centered around beautiful Lake Marie. Access to this small freshwater lake is provided for angling and non-motorized boating. There is also a small sandy beach set aside for swimming or just relaxing.

  • Umpqua State Scenic Corridor

    This small park contains a couple of picnic tables, a vault-style restroom and a short boat ramp leading into the Umpqua River. There's a small amount of room for trailer parking, but the parking lot is better suited to passenger vehicles.

  • Unity Forest State Scenic Corridor

    Unity Forest State Scenic Corridor is home to a wide variety of wildlife. Elk, mule deer, antelope, cougar, bobcat and black bear can be seen along this stretch. The forest is heavily treed with ponderosa pine.

  • Unity Lake State Recreation Site

    The high desert surroundings of this park offer a unique experience to its guests. The fragrant smell of juniper lingers in the air and thrills the senses. The cool grass of the park is a vibrant contrast to the sagebrush and cheatgrass of the bordering lands. The Burnt River comes to rest behind the Unity Dam before continuing its path down the valley. Relax on the shores or enjoy water sports. There's a boat ramp to accommodate the water skier as well as the angler. A peacefulness will engulf you at Unity Lake State Recreation Area whatever you choose to do.

  • Valley of the Rogue State Park

    A pleasant green oasis awaits you in southern Oregon's Rogue Valley. Valley of the Rogue Park has both a day-use picnic area and an overnight campground along three miles of shoreline on the Rogue River. A meeting hall is available for camping groups. An easy, self-guided interpretive walking trail provides a relaxing 1.25 mile stroll along the river's edge.

  • Viento State Park

    Appropriately enough for a park in the blustery Columbia River Gorge, the park's name, pronounced vee-EN-toe, is Spanish for wind. Just an odd coincidence, actually. In this case, the Viento comes from the first letters of three railroad tycoons - Villard, Endicott, and Tollman -who put the first railroad in the area.

  • Vinzenz Lausmann Memorial State Natural Area

    The family of Vinzenz Lausmann gave 126 acres of rugged scenic land to the State of Oregon in his memory. This park adjoins two other state parks tract near Mitchell Point located about 5 miles west of Hood River on Interstate 84. A plaque honoring Mr. Lausmann is at the foot of the park, where a trail leads the visitor up the steep faces of fir, alder and maple which define the Columbia River Gorge in this area. The views of the Gorge from this trail are spectacular.

  • W. B. Nelson State Recreation Site

    W.B. Nelson provides a small freshwater lake and fishing dock. Bass and stocked pan-sized trout are the most common fish. The area is known for abundant waterfowl. Adjacent to the Alsea River, there's a scenic wetland area. A free fishing day is held every year in May.

  • Wallowa Lake Highway Forest State Scenic Corridor

    This day-use site is located along the Wallowa River and is a popular fishing and wildlife viewing area. Steelhead fishing is good during the spring and fall. The canyon rises steeply on both sides of the road and is frequented by deer, elk and bear. The slopes of the canyon are forested primarily with pine. Flowers are abundant in the spring. The Wallowa River is clear, cold and popular with fly fishing enthusiasts because it can be waded in many locations.

  • Wallowa Lake State Park

    If you're interested in a campground surrounded on three sides by 9,000' tall snow-capped mountains and a large, clear lake, this is the area for you. The lake is a popular fishing and boating site. Around the Wallowa Lake area, you can enjoy hiking wilderness trails, horseback riding, bumper boats, canoeing, miniature golf or ride a tramway to the top of one of the mountains (a rise of 4,000'). Wildlife is abundant in the area (check out our downloadable bird list (564k); Acrobat required).

  • Wallowa River Rest Area

    This rest area is located in a canyon alongside the Wallowa River. Fishing is the activity of choice in the clear, cool medium-sized river. There is abundant wildlife on the pine and fir tree-laden slopes above the river. Flowers are abundant in the spring and add to the beauty of the river as it rushes ever downward.

  • Washburne State Wayside

    Resting on the border between Lane and Benton Counties, this wayside makes a great picnic spot (especially if you've decided to travel through the Willamette Valley along Hwy 99W instead of the interstate). This is a well-shaded park thanks to the Douglas fir trees.

  • Whale Watching Center

    Located along the seawall in Depoe Bay, the Whale Watching Center is dedicated to sharing information about whales. The center is home to the Whale Watching Spoken Here program, which sponsors the winter and spring break whale watching weeks. Gray whales migrate past the Oregon Coast on their way to and from the waters off Alaska and Mexico.

  • White River Falls State Park

    One of Oregon's secret hideaways is located just east of Tygh Valley along Highway 216. The White River plunges 90' over a basalt shelf. The park offers excellent viewpoints of the White River falls. A rugged quarter-mile trail takes hikers down deep within the canyon to the historic hydroelectric power plant at the base of the raw, churning power of the falls. The power plant supplied electricity to Wasco and Sherman Counties from 1910 until the completion of The Dalles Dam in 1960.

  • Willamette Mission State Park

    Willamette Mission is one of the most significant and beautiful historic sites in the Willamette Valley. The park occupies land where the first mission for American Indians was founded in 1834 by the Reverend Jason Lee. Members of the Methodist Mission were later active in the formation of Oregon government. A monument is located in the park providing information on this settlement. The original mission buildings are represented by framed outlines called ghost structures. A landing for the Wheatland Ferry -- the first to carry the covered wagon across the Willamette River in 1844 -- is in the park.

  • Willamette Stone State Heritage Site

    With the exception of portions of the eastern United States and Texas, the United States is divided into a grid of six-mile squares called Townships and Ranges, commonly known as the rectangular survey system. The Willamette Meridian is one of 37 Principal Meridians in the United States, each of which is named, that define the rectangular survey system.

  • William M. Tugman State Park

    Despite its close proximity to Highway 101, Tugman State Park is relatively unknown -- a private hideaway on the wondrous south coast. Situated on Eel Lake near the community of Lakeside, Tugman offers 94 campsites with electric/water hookups tucked away in a mature stand of shore pines. The day-use area has a restroom and gazebo-style shelter surrounded by broad green lawns.

  • Winchuck State Recreation Site

    Winchuck provides parking area and access to the Winchuck River and ocean beach for fishing, exploring, clamming, strolling, photographing seascapes and observing marine life.

  • Wolf Creek Inn State Heritage Site

    Imagine yourself as a traveler along a section of the Applegate Trail in the late 1800s. You have just arrived by stage coach at the Wolf Creek Inn. This is a long-sought-after refuge from a not-so-comfortable portage over mountains and across valleys. After paying 75 cents for a room, bath, and meals, you're ready to relax. You sit down to a good meal and some easy conversation with the innkeepers. Afterward, the men sidle off to the tap room for some quaffs of beer while the ladies adjourn to the parlor. The conversation drifts from tales of inspirational beauty to frightful experiences of the trail.

  • Wygant State Natural Area

    The Wygant trail -- six miles west of Hood River -- was a gift to Oregon honoring the memory of the Wygant family. This park adjoins two other state parks near Mitchell Point 5 miles west of Hood River on Interstate 84. A trail strikes through the park in a dense, hilly wilderness area that was once the old Oregon Trail and later the Historic Columbia River Highway. The first mile of this trail is on pavement that hasn't had an automobile on it for 50 years (it still has the yellow divider stripe). As it moves into the wilderness, Wygant trail penetrates a dense forest hillside along a gurgling creek. It is an ideal spot for backpackers who are looking for a little solitude.

  • Yachats Ocean Road State Natural Site

    South of Yachats, the road makes a one-mile loop, exposing one of the most scenic viewpoints on the coast: the Yachats Bay and the Pacific Ocean. Park along the loop and enjoy access to the beach, tidepools, blowholes, summer sunsets and whale watching.

  • Yachats State Recreation Area

    In the heart of Yachats, turn west on 2nd Street. The road makes a small loop, offering a serene view of the Yachats river as it meets the Pacific Ocean. Park and see the wild waves and gray whale migration. Rock and salmon fishing and tidepools bring people back to this park again and again. Plenty of resting benches and picnic tables.

  • Yaquina Bay State Recreation Site

    Yaquina Bay State Park is located in Newport at the north end of Yaquina Bay near its outlet to the Pacific Ocean. The bluff is forested with spruce and pine, but the real star is the historic lighthouse. The lighthouse -- later used as a Coast Guard Lifeboat Station -- has been restored and is open to the public. Attractions nearby include the historic Newport bayfront, Hatfield Marine Science Center and the Oregon Coast Aquarium.