Hand’s down, Oregon has some of the best state parks in the country. How can it not? There’s such a diverse variety of sites to choose from – from beach side, to mountainous, lush forests, and the desert. We’ve located some of the very best state parks to visit in Oregon, depending on your interests outdoors and whether you’re looking to get totally lost or just want to take a quick drive.
- Clyde Holliday State Recreation Site
oregonstateparks.org This campsite in the John Day Valley gives visitors a taste of the Old West. Set up camp or rent a tepee and then take in a local rodeo, a Fourth of July festivity, or just soak in that desert sun. To learn more, visit the website for Clyde Holliday State Recreation Site. Clyde Holliday State Recreation Site, U.S 26, Mt Vernon, OR 97865, USA
- Deschutes River State Recreation Area
oregonstateparks.org It’s easy to see why this is one of the best state parks to visit in Oregon. This place is a hiker’s delight, with a robust trail network and views of those amazing river rapids. To learn more, visit the website for Clyde Holliday State Recreation Site. Deschutes River State Recreation Area, Wasco, OR 97065, USA
- Ecola state park
oregonstateparks.org Just north of Cannon Beach, this stretch gives you a prime view of the coast’s rocky formations, including Haystack Rock. Check out Ecola State Park’s website to learn more. Ecola State Park Road, Ecola State Park Rd, Cannon Beach, OR 97110, USA
- Fort Stevens State Park
oregonstateparks.org Just west of Astoria, this park has three lakes for fishing, swimming, and canoeing. Learn about the fort’s history and check out war memorabilia in the interpretive center. Or, go hiking on the six-mile trail. Visit Fort Stevens State Park’s website to learn more. Fort Stevens State Park, 1675 Peter Iredale Rd, Hammond, OR 97121, USA
- Goose Lake State Recreation Area
oregonstateparks.org Looking to escape the crowds? This site at the base of the Warner Mountains in southern Oregon has your seclusion covered. Your neighbors will include a variety of birds and the occasional deer. Visit Goose Lake State Recreation Area’s website to learn more. Goose Lake State Recreation Area, New Pine Creek, OR 97635, USA
- Jessie M. Honeyman Memorial State Park
oregonstateparks.org This site is just south of Florence and is situated within the Oregon Dunes National Recreational Area, making this place a go-to for off-road fans. For fishing, go to Woahink Lake and for swimming go to Cleawox Lake. Both are accessible from the site. To learn more, visit the website for Jessie M. Honeyman Memorial State Park. Jessie M. Honeyman Memorial State Park Campground, 84505 Oregon Coast Hwy S, Florence, OR 97439, USA
- Minam State Recreation Area
oregonstateparks.org Love rafting, but easily intimidated by big rapids? Go to this area between late spring and midsummer for a tamer, but still fun water-water rafting experience on the Wallowa River. There’s also plenty of hiking opportunity along riverside trails and ample campgrounds. To learn more, visit the website for Minam State Recreation Area. Minam State Recreation Area, Elgin, OR 97827, USA
- Nehalem Bay State Park
oregonstateparks.org Just south of Manzanita, this is another park that provides excellent dunes access and is a short distance from the ocean. Fishing and kayaking is idyllic at Nehalem Bay. The campsite is also horse and even airplane accessible - with six fly-in sites by a tiny airstrip. For more information, visit the website for Nehalem Bay State Park. Nehalem Bay State Park, 9500 Sandpiper Ln, Nehalem, OR 97131, USA
- Saddle Mountain State natural area
oregonstateparks.org Hikers, add this spot to your bucket list. Steep, yet loaded with beautiful views of both the ocean and mountain. For more information, visit the website for Saddle Mountain State Natural Area. Saddle Mountain State Natural Area, Seaside, OR 97138, USA
- Silver Falls State Park
oregonstateparks.org Soak in the Trail of 10 Falls, which includes a series of hikes that take you right up against the falls. For more information, check out Silver Falls State Park’s website Silver Falls State Park, 20024 Silver Falls Hwy SE, Sublimity, OR 97385, USA
- Smith Rock state park
oregonstateparks.org This site, near Terrebonne, is a desert paradise for rock climbers. In fact, the sport as we know it was popularized at this very place. There are a number of challenging, bolted routes to follow. For more information, check out Smith Rock state park’s website Smith Rock State Park, Terrebonne, OR 97760, USA
- Ukiah-Dale Forest State Scenic Corridor
oregonstateparks.org This barely-touched site takes you to mountain trails in the North Fork John Day Wilderness nearby, a primitive campground along Camas Creek and plenty of wildlife. To learn more, check out the website for Ukiah-Dale Forest State Scenic Corridor. Ukiah-Dale Forest State Scenic Corridor, Ukiah, OR 97880, USA
- Valley of the Rogue River state park
oregonstateparks.org If you haven’t witnessed the rugged greatness of the Rogue River yet, this needs to become a priority. Famous for its white water rapids, salmon runs, and gorgeous scenery, this spot is worth the trip to southwest Oregon near Grants Pass. To learn more, check out the website for Valley of the Rogue River State Park. Valley of the Rogue State Park, Gold Hill, OR 97525, USA
- Wallowa Lake State Park
oregonstateparks.org Just south of Joseph, this site in the Wallowa Mountains is perfect if you just want some quiet, away from some of the other, more crowded campgrounds. Hike, swim, ride horses, fish, and ride a tramway 4,000 feet up Mount Howard. To learn more, check out the website for Wallowa Lake State Park. Wallowa Lake State Park, Joseph, OR 97846, USA
Now that you’ve got your itinerary in hand, go ahead, make some calls to book your campsite and get packing. Which are your favorite state parks to visit in Oregon? Tell us in the comments below!
oregonstateparks.org
This campsite in the John Day Valley gives visitors a taste of the Old West. Set up camp or rent a tepee and then take in a local rodeo, a Fourth of July festivity, or just soak in that desert sun. To learn more, visit the website for Clyde Holliday State Recreation Site.
Clyde Holliday State Recreation Site, U.S 26, Mt Vernon, OR 97865, USA
It’s easy to see why this is one of the best state parks to visit in Oregon. This place is a hiker’s delight, with a robust trail network and views of those amazing river rapids. To learn more, visit the website for Clyde Holliday State Recreation Site.
Deschutes River State Recreation Area, Wasco, OR 97065, USA
Just north of Cannon Beach, this stretch gives you a prime view of the coast’s rocky formations, including Haystack Rock. Check out Ecola State Park’s website to learn more.
Ecola State Park Road, Ecola State Park Rd, Cannon Beach, OR 97110, USA
Just west of Astoria, this park has three lakes for fishing, swimming, and canoeing. Learn about the fort’s history and check out war memorabilia in the interpretive center. Or, go hiking on the six-mile trail. Visit Fort Stevens State Park’s website to learn more.
Fort Stevens State Park, 1675 Peter Iredale Rd, Hammond, OR 97121, USA
Looking to escape the crowds? This site at the base of the Warner Mountains in southern Oregon has your seclusion covered. Your neighbors will include a variety of birds and the occasional deer. Visit Goose Lake State Recreation Area’s website to learn more.
Goose Lake State Recreation Area, New Pine Creek, OR 97635, USA
This site is just south of Florence and is situated within the Oregon Dunes National Recreational Area, making this place a go-to for off-road fans. For fishing, go to Woahink Lake and for swimming go to Cleawox Lake. Both are accessible from the site. To learn more, visit the website for Jessie M. Honeyman Memorial State Park.
Jessie M. Honeyman Memorial State Park Campground, 84505 Oregon Coast Hwy S, Florence, OR 97439, USA
Love rafting, but easily intimidated by big rapids? Go to this area between late spring and midsummer for a tamer, but still fun water-water rafting experience on the Wallowa River. There’s also plenty of hiking opportunity along riverside trails and ample campgrounds. To learn more, visit the website for Minam State Recreation Area.
Minam State Recreation Area, Elgin, OR 97827, USA
Just south of Manzanita, this is another park that provides excellent dunes access and is a short distance from the ocean. Fishing and kayaking is idyllic at Nehalem Bay. The campsite is also horse and even airplane accessible - with six fly-in sites by a tiny airstrip. For more information, visit the website for Nehalem Bay State Park.
Nehalem Bay State Park, 9500 Sandpiper Ln, Nehalem, OR 97131, USA
Hikers, add this spot to your bucket list. Steep, yet loaded with beautiful views of both the ocean and mountain. For more information, visit the website for Saddle Mountain State Natural Area.
Saddle Mountain State Natural Area, Seaside, OR 97138, USA
Soak in the Trail of 10 Falls, which includes a series of hikes that take you right up against the falls. For more information, check out Silver Falls State Park’s website
Silver Falls State Park, 20024 Silver Falls Hwy SE, Sublimity, OR 97385, USA
This site, near Terrebonne, is a desert paradise for rock climbers. In fact, the sport as we know it was popularized at this very place. There are a number of challenging, bolted routes to follow. For more information, check out Smith Rock state park’s website
Smith Rock State Park, Terrebonne, OR 97760, USA
This barely-touched site takes you to mountain trails in the North Fork John Day Wilderness nearby, a primitive campground along Camas Creek and plenty of wildlife. To learn more, check out the website for Ukiah-Dale Forest State Scenic Corridor.
Ukiah-Dale Forest State Scenic Corridor, Ukiah, OR 97880, USA
If you haven’t witnessed the rugged greatness of the Rogue River yet, this needs to become a priority. Famous for its white water rapids, salmon runs, and gorgeous scenery, this spot is worth the trip to southwest Oregon near Grants Pass. To learn more, check out the website for Valley of the Rogue River State Park.
Valley of the Rogue State Park, Gold Hill, OR 97525, USA
Just south of Joseph, this site in the Wallowa Mountains is perfect if you just want some quiet, away from some of the other, more crowded campgrounds. Hike, swim, ride horses, fish, and ride a tramway 4,000 feet up Mount Howard. To learn more, check out the website for Wallowa Lake State Park.
Wallowa Lake State Park, Joseph, OR 97846, USA
Looking for more outdoor fun? Check out these 10 easy hiking trails in Oregon!
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The OIYS Visitor Center
state parks to visit in Oregon January 13, 2022 Elisa Regulski What are the most beautiful hikes in Oregon? With so many gorgeous hiking trails in Oregon, it can be difficult to know where to go first! But when in doubt, we recommend the Abiqua Falls Trail. This journey is less than a mile long, so it’s great for hikers of all ages! Are there any swinging bridges in Oregon? Yes! The Drift Creek Falls Suspension Bridge, located inside Suislaw National Forest, is one of the coolest (and most terrifying) swinging bridges in Oregon. It sits right next to a gushing waterfall, and the views are astounding. What are the best beaches in Oregon? Looking for some things to do outside in Oregon? Visit Hobbit Beach! This lovely destination is full of seashells and small crabs, and there are many little walkways to explore.
The OIYS Visitor Center
state parks to visit in Oregon
January 13, 2022
Elisa Regulski
What are the most beautiful hikes in Oregon? With so many gorgeous hiking trails in Oregon, it can be difficult to know where to go first! But when in doubt, we recommend the Abiqua Falls Trail. This journey is less than a mile long, so it’s great for hikers of all ages! Are there any swinging bridges in Oregon? Yes! The Drift Creek Falls Suspension Bridge, located inside Suislaw National Forest, is one of the coolest (and most terrifying) swinging bridges in Oregon. It sits right next to a gushing waterfall, and the views are astounding. What are the best beaches in Oregon? Looking for some things to do outside in Oregon? Visit Hobbit Beach! This lovely destination is full of seashells and small crabs, and there are many little walkways to explore.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
With so many gorgeous hiking trails in Oregon, it can be difficult to know where to go first! But when in doubt, we recommend the Abiqua Falls Trail. This journey is less than a mile long, so it’s great for hikers of all ages!
Are there any swinging bridges in Oregon?
Yes! The Drift Creek Falls Suspension Bridge, located inside Suislaw National Forest, is one of the coolest (and most terrifying) swinging bridges in Oregon. It sits right next to a gushing waterfall, and the views are astounding.
What are the best beaches in Oregon?
Looking for some things to do outside in Oregon? Visit Hobbit Beach! This lovely destination is full of seashells and small crabs, and there are many little walkways to explore.
