16 Best State Parks in Oregon
State parks in Oregon encompass some of the most dynamic landscape in the state. From the churning waves of the Pacific to high desert spires, these public lands often offer thebest adventures in Oregon. And while it's hard to say which state park is the best, an escape into a stunning environment is guaranteed at all the top Oregon state parks.
The type of activity desired determines the best Oregon state park. Head to one of the many state parks on the coast for endeavors like whale watching, sandcastle building, and watching winter storms roll in. Away from the ocean, inland state parks offer things to do like rock climbing, disc golfing, and waterfall viewing.
Most of Oregon's best state parks also have campgrounds. Campsites range from full-hookup RV sites to walk-in tent spaces, and nearly all are reservable up to six months in advance. Check Oregon State Parks forup-to-date information on rules, regulations, and current conditions.
享受野外海狸Sta和奇妙的一面te with our list of the best state parks in Oregon.
1. Smith Rock State Park
Smith Rock State Park is a high-desert wonderland of recreation in Central Oregon, a little over a 30 minutes from Bend. The Crooked River winds through this vertical environment, with craggy peaks jutting from its banks.
This landscape attracts all types of adventure throughout the year. Rock climbing and hiking are prevalent activities at the park, alongside sunset watching, photography, and fishing.
Thousands of bolted climbing routes line the vertical terrain. This plethora of rock climbing routes attracts thousands of climbers to Smith Rock.
Hiking trails in the park, like the River Trail or theMisery Ridge Trail,一个best hikes near Bend, also draw attention to the area.
The only camping available is a walk-in bivouac (tent) campground.
Accommodation:Best Resorts near Bend
2. Fort Stevens State Park
Fort Stevens State Park encompasses the far northwest tip of Oregon, bounded by the Pacific Ocean and the Columbia River. It's an area of longstanding history, including its service as a military fort spanning the Civil War to the Second World War. And today, it's one of Oregon's most popular state parks.
Several attributes draw crowds of people to Fort Stevens. But encompassing over 4,300 acres, it never feels overly crowded. Among the areas of interest are miles of coastline, retired military installations, and15 miles of hiking trails.
The state park is also home to a remarkable500-plus campsites, including RV sites, yurts, and deluxe cabins.
3. Silver Falls State Park
Silver Falls is one of the most famous state parks in Oregon. Its popularity comes from themany waterfallswithin its boundaries. These impressive pictures of gravity include the 177-footSouth Falls,with a path leading right behind the rushing water.
南落waterf的只有一个alls along theTrail of Ten Fallsthat navigates the park. This7.2-mile National Recreation Traildraws thousands of visitors each year and plunges them into a lush environment. It's a moderate hike with less than800 feet of elevation gain.
4. Ecola State Park
Ecola State Park encompasses approximately nine miles of coastline between the popular seaside resort towns of Cannon Beach andSeasideon Oregon's northern coast. This region is home to some of thebest beaches on the Oregon Coast.
This lengthy state park is famous for several reasons, but especially hiking. TheTillamook Head TrailandClatsop Loop Trailare two well-trodden routes, once navigated by the Corps of Discovery in search of winter supplies.
A free backpackers' camp sits atop Tillamook Head, open to anyone willing to hike in their gear. Nearby, the decommissioned Tillamook Rock Lighthouse poses for pictures just offshore.
For those not interested in a big hike,Indian Beachis also a popular place to visit within the park, accessible within a short walk from the parking area.
Accommodation:Best Beach Resorts on the Oregon Coast
5. Shore Acres State Park
Shore Acres is a beautiful state park perched atop a cliffside overlooking the ocean. The property once belonged to lumber baron Louis J. Simpson, including the intricate on-site botanical gardens. Today, this blooming attraction and historical site combine with the sheer beauty of a nearby cliff's edge and rocky coastline.
Shore Acres State Park is on theCape Arago Highwayon the southern Oregon coast. Its largest nearby city isCoos Bay, approximately a 20-minute drive northeast.
Budget some time to exploreSunset Bay State ParkandCape Arago State Parkwhen visiting this detour from the 101. These two stunning state parks are within one mile of Shore Acres in either direction.
6. Valley of the Rogue State Park
Valley of the Rogue is a popular state park in Southern Oregon, just east of Grants Pass along Interstate 5. A quick pull-off from the interstate provides easy access to the park, which has a day-use area and a year-round campground. The entire park follows the banks of the famousRogue River, the region's principal attraction.
Valley of the Rogue is one ofOregon's most visited state parks. The easy access from the interstate contributes to its over two-million annual visits, but attributes like theRiver's Edge Trailalso draw a crowd. This mile-long paved trail connects to the Rogue River Greenway Trail for more extended pursuits.
7. Cape Lookout State Park
Cape Lookout State Park is at the center of theThree Cape Scenic Loopon the northern Oregon coast. The park encompasses the view-enabling cape and the long stretch of Netarts Spit separating Netart's Bay and the ocean. It's also home to a popular campground with over 200 sites available.
Overeight miles of trailsnavigate throughout Cape Lookout State Park, including portions of the state-spanning Oregon Coast Trail. TheCape Trailis a well-trodden route, bringing hikers to the tip of Cape Lookout for a sweeping view of the ocean and coastline. It's almost afive-mile round tripto the end of the cape and back.
8. The Cove Palisades State Park
The Cove Palisades encompasses theDeschutes and Crooked River Canyonsin central Oregon. This inspiring landscape includes miles-long views and a deep sense of getting away from it all.
Some of the most popular things to do at the park include boating, hiking, and spending the night at one of two seasonal campgrounds.
Three day-use areas at the park attract the most attention: two on the Deschutes and one on the Crooked River. Each day-use site has a boat launch, swimming beach, and picnic spots. The Upper Deschutes Day-Use Area is the best for hiking pursuits, with easy access to the iconicTam-a-láu Trail.
9. Harris Beach State Park
This southern coast state park delivers a beautiful beach scene. Harris Beach is within the city limits of Brookings, one of thebest towns on the Oregon coast. And it stands out thanks to its massive sea stacks jutting from the shore.
It's also home to a well-used campground that is a common basecamp for exploring this part of the coast.
Day-use and overnight visitors access the beach with a short hike or a drive to the sand. Here, simply watching the waves pound against the massive boulders in the wake is a popular way to spend the day.
Other popular activities include picnicking, tide pool exploring, and catching the blazing sunsets.
10. Jessie M. Honeyman Memorial State Park
Dunes and more dunes surround Honeyman State Park. This sprawling state park is approximately three miles south ofFlorenceon the Oregon coast. It's also at the northern end of the 47-mileOregon Dunes National Recreation Area. The state park provides easy access to the shifting landscape.
The state park encompasses two freshwater lakes popular for paddling, fishing, and picnicking near the shore.
Honeyman is approximately two miles from the ocean with no direct trail access. OHV riders can depart from campground loop H onto the dunes to reach the beach.
11. Wallowa Lake State Park
This stunningly beautiful state park is near the Idaho and Washington border in far northeast Oregon. The park sits on the southern end of its namesake lake, next to the small community of the same name. On the north side of the lake is the small city ofJoseph, which often serves as a basecamp for adventures in this part of Oregon.
The state park has day-use and overnight amenities available. Everyday activities include boating, fishing, and hanging out at the beach. Picnicking is also popular, with two reservable group sites and many first-come, first-served tables.
12. Milo McIver State Park
This popular state park is on the Clackamas River, approximately 45 minutes south of Portland. This proximity to a major metropolitan area adds to the crowds, as do the park's many recreational activities. Everyday adventures include getting on the Clackamas River, navigating over13 miles of trails, or playing the park's 27-hole disc golf course.
The park also has a small collection of campsites. Approximately 44 electric sites, nine tent sites, and group camping facilities are available. Rental equipment is also available, including kayaks, life jackets, and disc golf discs.
13. Beverly Beach State Park
Beverly Beach is a popular state park and campground on the central Oregon coast. It's on the other side of the 101 from the ocean and connected via a scenic underpass. Some of the state park's 200-plus campsites are within 500 feet of this beautiful bridge and ocean access.
A real appeal of Beverly Beach is the beach. The sprawling shoreline spans for miles in either direction, enabling all sorts of activities on the broad beach, including suntanning, sand sports, and kite flying.
The eye-catching formation known as theDevils Punchbowlis approximately a mile's hike north on the coast north from the state park.
14. Cape Blanco State Park
Cape Blanco is on the southern Oregon coast, a few miles north of Port Orford. It encompasses the westernmost tip of Oregon and the oldest lighthouse on the coast. The park is also home to overeight miles of hiking trailsand a beautiful oceanfront.
Cape Blanco also has a small campground with approximately 50 electric sites.
Everyday activities at Cape Blanco include beachcombing, horseback riding, and photographing the lighthouse. The Bureau of Land Management offers tours of the lighthouse and the nearby Historic Hughes House.
由于布兰科角的位置在五英里啊ff the 101, the park tends to see fewer crowds.
15. Guy W. Talbot State Park
Guy W. Talbot State Park is notable as part of the largerColumbia River Gorge National Recreation Area. It's also commonly known as Latourell Falls State Park, thanks to its proximity to the waterfall's trailhead. The state park provides a nice and quiet forested space with a scattering of picnic tables.
The trail to Latourell Falls is a memorable trek, spanning two miles to a 225-plus-foot waterfall splashing off a basalt cliff face.
Guy W. Talbot is just one of many places to visit when exploring the gorge. And Latourell is just one of many waterfalls in the gorge that are amongOregon's best waterfalls.
16. L.L. Stub Stewart State Park
存根斯图尔特州立公园是一个全年de露营stination andpopular weekend getaway from Portland. The park is approximately 30 miles northwest of Portland, near the community of Buxton, and accessible from the city with less than an hour's drive. But the park's forested 1,800 acres feel worlds away from the hustle and bustle.
Popular activities at Stub Stewart include all types of trail exploring. Hikers, mountain bikers, and horse riders find space to make some tracks. The park is also home to a challenging disc golf course popular with novice and professional players. And for those interested in spending the night, 78 full-hookup sites are available.
