Destinations
Oregon outdoors
From a 1,943-foot-deep volcanic crater lake to a 363-mile public coastline, Oregon packs alpine, high desert, and sea into one state.
Oregon is one of those states where you can stand in old-growth forest in the morning, cross high desert by afternoon, and watch the sun drop into the Pacific by evening. The crown jewel is Crater Lake, the deepest lake in the United States at around 1,943 feet, sitting in the collapsed caldera of an ancient volcano and holding a blue so saturated it looks unreal. But the state's outdoor reputation is much broader than its one national park.
The whole 363-mile coastline is public land by law, which makes Oregon special: every beach, headland, and tide pool is yours to walk. The central coast around Yachats and Cape Perpetua gives you dramatic basalt cliffs and Thor's Well, while the south coast around Bandon trades crowds for wide empty sand. Inland, the Columbia River Gorge stacks waterfalls along a single corridor east of Portland, Mount Hood offers year-round snow and alpine trails, and the high desert around Bend (Smith Rock, the Deschutes River, the Cascade Lakes) is a sunny playground that stays open when the mountains are buried.
When to go depends on where. Summer (July through September) is the sweet spot for the mountains and Crater Lake, with daytime highs around 65-80F and the rim road and trails finally clear of snow. Crater Lake gets buried in roughly 40 feet of snow a year, and Rim Drive plus the north entrance typically close from November into May, so a winter visit means snowshoes and the south entrance only. The coast and the Gorge stay walkable year-round; just expect rain and bring layers October through May.
The packing through-line for Oregon is rain readiness and layers, full stop. Even in summer the coast runs cool and damp, mountain mornings start cold, and the high desert swings hot to chilly the same day. A waterproof shell, warm midlayer, and real traction underfoot will carry you across nearly every corner of the state.
State park reservations
Oregon booking basics
Coast parks are the hardest reservation problem. Inland waterfalls and desert parks have different seasons.
Booking note
Oregon accepts new camping reservations from the day of arrival through six months in advance at most reservable campgrounds.
Agency
Oregon State Parks
State park directory
Oregon state park system places
A source-backed inventory layer for planning breadth. Full Kit Authority guides are marked when a park has imagery, camping detail, rules, and packing notes.
183 directory entries
1 full guides live
- Official page
Agate Beach State Recreation Site
State park system area
Agate Beach Wayside sits between old and new Highway 101 with a tunnel trail to a large sandy beach popular for razor clamming and surfing.
- Fishing
- Beach
- Picnicking
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Ainsworth State Park
State Park
Nestled in the Columbia River Gorge near the eastern end of the Waterfall Corridor, Ainsworth offers a shaded campground and access to gorge hiking trails.
- Camping
- RV Camping
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Playground
- Wildlife Viewing
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Alderwood State Wayside
State Wayside
A forested park along Highway 36 with large Douglas fir trees, a picnic area, restroom, and a short trail along the Long Tom River.
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Picnicking
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Alfred A. Loeb State Park
State Park
Loeb sits in a grove of ancient myrtlewood trees along the Chetco River, offering riverside campsites, cabins, and renowned salmon and steelhead fishing.
- Camping
- RV Camping
- Cabins
- Fishing
- Swimming
- Paddling
- Hiking
- Picnicking
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Angel's Rest Trailhead
State park system area
The west Gorge trail climbs through trees and over boulders to the Angel's Rest viewpoint, offering a 270-degree view of the Columbia River Gorge.
- Hiking
- Backpacking
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Arcadia Beach State Recreation Site
State park system area
A shady grove just off the highway and steps from a sandy ocean beach a mile south of Cannon Beach, with tidepool areas to explore at low tide.
- Beach
- Picnicking
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Arizona Beach State Recreation Site
State park system area
Arizona Beach is a sheltered stretch of sand between two rocky headlands, with wetlands that attract elk and waterfowl and a youth fishing pond.
- Camping
- RV Camping
- Fishing
- Beach
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Bald Peak State Scenic Viewpoint
State Scenic Viewpoint
Bald Peak offers a grassy hillside with views over the Chehalem hills and a short stroll through a Douglas fir woodland.
- Picnicking
- Hiking
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Bandon State Natural Area
State Natural Area
Bandon State Natural Area comprises several beach access points along Beach Loop Road, with valuable habitat for wildlife and shorebirds.
- Fishing
- Beach
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Banks-Vernonia State Trail
State Trail
Oregon's first rails-to-trails park follows an abandoned railroad bed 21 miles between Banks and Vernonia, with a paved path and a parallel horse trail.
- Hiking
- Biking
- Horseback Riding
- Wildlife Viewing
- Picnicking
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Bates State Park
State Park
Set on the site of a former lumber mill town in the Blue Mountains, Bates offers more than three miles of hiking trails along the Middle Fork John Day River.
- Camping
- RV Camping
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Battle Mountain Forest State Scenic Corridor
State Scenic Corridor
This forested corridor on U.S. 395 north of Ukiah protects ponderosa pine, larch, Douglas fir, and spruce and provides prime wildlife habitat.
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Beachside State Recreation Site
State park system area
A small campground south of Waldport set alongside miles of broad sandy beach, with every campsite seconds from the shore.
- Camping
- RV Camping
- Beach
- Wildlife Viewing
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Benson State Recreation Area
State Recreation Area
Benson stretches along the Columbia River near Multnomah Falls and features a disc golf course, a group picnic shelter, and a stocked lake for swimming and fishing.
- Fishing
- Swimming
- Paddling
- Disc Golf
- Picnicking
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Beverly Beach State Park
State Park
Hidden in a forest between Cape Foulweather and Yaquina Head, Beverly Beach has a creekside campground steps from miles of ocean beach.
- Camping
- RV Camping
- Beach
- Playground
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Blue Mountain Forest State Scenic Corridor
State Scenic Corridor
This corridor along I-84 in the Blue Mountains protects intermittent stands of old-growth ponderosa pine, larch, and spruce inhabited by deer, elk, and cougar.
- Wildlife Viewing
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Bob Straub State Park
State Park
Located in Pacific City, this park provides beach access and a place to walk and explore the Nestucca sand spit at the mouth of the Nestucca River.
- Beach
- Fishing
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Boiler Bay State Scenic Viewpoint
State Scenic Viewpoint
A rugged, basalt-rimmed bay that is a great place to watch surf and gray whales year round and one of Oregon's best sites for seeing ocean-going birds.
- Wildlife Viewing
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Bolon Island Tideways State Scenic Corridor
State Scenic Corridor
A quiet park with a hiking trail extending halfway around the island, home to a cormorant rookery and views of the Umpqua River.
- Hiking
- Wildlife Viewing
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Bonnie Lure State Recreation Area
State Recreation Area
An off-the-beaten-path park along Eagle Creek where visitors may glimpse a pileated woodpecker or hook a steelhead trout.
- Fishing
- Wildlife Viewing
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Booth State Scenic Corridor
State Scenic Corridor
A wooded wayside along Highway 140 where you can picnic under old-growth ponderosa pines and watch for mule deer, coyote, and cougar.
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Bradley State Scenic Viewpoint
State Scenic Viewpoint
One of the few rest stops along Highway 30, with a restroom, monument, and a Douglas fir forest overlooking the Columbia River.
- Picnicking
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Brian Booth State Park
State Park
Made up of Ona Beach day-use and Beaver Creek State Natural Area, the park offers beach access, a creek paddle, and five miles of trails.
- Beach
- Paddling
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Bridal Veil Falls State Scenic Viewpoint
State Scenic Viewpoint
Located off the Columbia River Highway, this park features two short hikes, one to Bridal Veil Falls and the other to overlooks of the Columbia River.
- Hiking
- Picnicking
Oregon State Parks
Show 159 more Oregon entries
- Official page
Bullards Beach State Park
State Park
A large family park at the mouth of the Coquille River near Bandon, offering beach strolls, horse trails, a lighthouse, and river fishing and crabbing.
- Camping
- RV Camping
- Cabins
- Beach
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Biking
- Horseback Riding
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Cape Arago State Park
State Park
A scenic headland jutting into the Pacific southwest of Coos Bay, with trails to tidepools, sandy beaches, and viewpoints of seal and sea lion colonies.
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Beach
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Cape Blanco State Park
State Park
Perched at Oregon's westernmost tip, Cape Blanco features a 19th-century lighthouse, a historic farmhouse, and more than eight miles of hiking and horse trails.
- Camping
- RV Camping
- Hiking
- Horseback Riding
- Fishing
- Beach
- Historic Site
- Wildlife Viewing
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Cape Kiwanda State Natural Area
State Natural Area
A sandstone headland north of Pacific City offering one of the coast's best viewpoints for witnessing the ocean's power from atop a towering dune.
- Beach
- Hiking
- Wildlife Viewing
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Cape Lookout State Park
State Park
Located on a sand spit between Netarts Bay and the ocean, Cape Lookout is a destination for hiking, beachcombing, and the Three Capes Scenic Route.
- Camping
- RV Camping
- Cabins
- Hiking
- Beach
- Wildlife Viewing
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Cape Meares State Scenic Viewpoint
State Scenic Viewpoint
Known for its lighthouse, ocean views, and octopus-shaped Sitka spruce, Cape Meares offers whale watching, seabird viewing, and short trails.
- Hiking
- Historic Site
- Wildlife Viewing
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Cape Sebastian State Scenic Corridor
State Scenic Corridor
A headland over 200 feet above sea level with panoramic coastal views and a 1.5-mile walking trail through Sitka spruce forest to the lower cape.
- Hiking
- Wildlife Viewing
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Carl G. Washburne Memorial State Park
State Park
A creekside campground north of Florence with trailheads leading through coastal forest to miles of sandy beach and the Heceta Head Lighthouse.
- Camping
- RV Camping
- Cabins
- Hiking
- Backpacking
- Beach
- Wildlife Viewing
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Casey State Recreation Site
State park system area
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Catherine Creek State Park
State Park
Cradled in a canyon framed by ponderosa pines, Catherine Creek offers creekside camping, trout fishing, picnic areas, and a canyon-view trail.
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Picnicking
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Champoeg State Heritage Area
State Heritage Area
Along the Willamette River south of Newberg, Champoeg combines history, nature, and recreation at the site where pioneers formed Oregon's first provisional government.
- Camping
- RV Camping
- Cabins
- Hiking
- Biking
- Disc Golf
- Fishing
- Paddling
- Picnicking
- Historic Site
- Wildlife Viewing
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Chandler State Wayside
State Wayside
A wooded wayside with picnic tables, drinking water, and access to Crooked Creek, home to rainbow trout and crayfish.
- Picnicking
- Fishing
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Clay Myers State Natural Area at Whalen Island
State park system area
A virtually untouched coastal estuarine ecosystem bounded by the Sand Creek estuary, providing critical habitat for salmon, shorebirds, and mammals.
- Hiking
- Wildlife Viewing
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Cline Falls State Scenic Viewpoint
State Scenic Viewpoint
A shaded rest area on the banks of the Deschutes River with picnicking, swimming, and fishing access to the river.
- Picnicking
- Fishing
- Swimming
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Clyde Holliday State Recreation Site
State park system area
An oasis along the John Day River with a year-round picnic area and campground, a nature trail, and a base camp for the Strawberry Mountain Wilderness.
- Camping
- RV Camping
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Collier Memorial State Park
State Park
Collier features a campground, an outdoor logging museum, a pioneer village, and a horse camp where the Williamson River and Spring Creek converge.
- Camping
- RV Camping
- Fishing
- Horseback Riding
- Hiking
- Historic Site
- Picnicking
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Coquille Myrtle Grove State Natural Site
State Natural Site
A secluded swimming hole along the Powers Highway with a shaded myrtlewood grove and a sandy beach on the Coquille River.
- Swimming
- Paddling
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Cottonwood Canyon State Park
State Park
A rugged 8,000-acre park along the John Day River with vertical cliffs, side canyons, and arid grasslands, certified as an International Dark Sky Park.
- Camping
- RV Camping
- Cabins
- Backpacking
- Hiking
- Biking
- Horseback Riding
- Fishing
- Paddling
- Hunting
- Wildlife Viewing
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Crissey Field State Recreation Site
State park system area
A 40-acre park between the California border and the Winchuck River featuring a sandy beach, wetlands, and a green-technology welcome center.
- Beach
- Wildlife Viewing
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
D River State Recreation Site
State park system area
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Dabney State Recreation Area
State Recreation Area
A shaded park on the Sandy River popular for fishing, boating, and swimming, with a beach area, picnic facilities, and an 18-hole disc golf course.
- Fishing
- Boating
- Swimming
- Disc Golf
- Picnicking
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Darlingtonia State Natural Site
State Natural Site
An 18-acre botanical park with a boardwalk trail through a fen protecting the rare carnivorous cobra lily, Darlingtonia californica.
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Del Rey Beach State Recreation Site
State park system area
A quiet, secluded park where the ocean is a short walk from the parking area, ideal for kite flying, sandcastles, and picnics.
- Beach
- Picnicking
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Deschutes River State Recreation Area
State Recreation Area
A tree-shaded campground where the Deschutes River meets the Columbia, a hub for hiking, mountain biking, whitewater rafting, and steelhead fishing.
- Camping
- RV Camping
- Backpacking
- Hiking
- Biking
- Horseback Riding
- Fishing
- Paddling
- Swimming
- Hunting
- Wildlife Viewing
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Detroit Lake State Recreation Area
State Recreation Area
A campground on the shore of a forest-ringed reservoir in the Cascades, popular for fishing, boating, and water sports with views of Mt. Jefferson.
- Camping
- RV Camping
- Fishing
- Boating
- Swimming
- Playground
- Picnicking
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Devil's Lake State Recreation Area
State Recreation Area
Two parks on opposite sides of Devils Lake near Lincoln City, with a campground, boat launches, and 685 acres of water for paddling, fishing, and boating.
- Camping
- Cabins
- Fishing
- Boating
- Paddling
- Wildlife Viewing
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Devils Punchbowl State Natural Area
State Natural Area
A scenic picnic spot where ocean water churns into a hollow bowl-shaped rock formation, with tidepools and whale watching nearby.
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Dexter State Recreation Site
State park system area
On the western edge of Dexter Reservoir, this site offers boat ramps, a picnic area, an 18-hole disc golf course, and connecting trails to Elijah Bristow State Park.
- Boating
- Fishing
- Swimming
- Paddling
- Disc Golf
- Hiking
- Picnicking
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Driftwood Beach State Recreation Site
State park system area
Provides access to a wide, flat, sandy beach with picnic facilities scattered among the shore pine, great for beachcombing and sunsets.
- Beach
- Picnicking
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Ecola State Park
State Park
Wrapping around Tillamook Head between Seaside and Cannon Beach, Ecola stretches along nine miles of coastline with cliffside trails and ocean views.
- Hiking
- Backpacking
- Beach
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Elijah Bristow State Park
State Park
On the Middle Fork of the Willamette River southeast of Eugene, this 847-acre park has meadows, wetlands, and more than 10 miles of multi-use trails.
- Hiking
- Biking
- Horseback Riding
- Fishing
- Paddling
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Ellmaker State Wayside
State Wayside
A highway rest stop and tree preserve between Newport and Corvallis, with picnic tables bordering a grassy meadow and a small stream through fir forest.
- Picnicking
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Elowah Falls Trailhead (John B. Yeon)
State park system area
A trailhead for hikes to Elowah Falls and McCord Creek Falls and the west end of the Bonneville Segment of the Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail.
- Hiking
- Biking
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Emigrant Springs State Heritage Area
State Heritage Area
Near the summit of the Blue Mountains, this Oregon Trail watering site offers camping and cabins in a mature forest between Pendleton and La Grande.
- Camping
- RV Camping
- Cabins
- Horseback Riding
- Hiking
- Historic Site
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Erratic Rock State Natural Site
State Natural Site
Home to a 90-ton glacial erratic deposited by an Ice Age flood, the largest such rock found in the Willamette Valley.
- Historic Site
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Face Rock State Scenic Viewpoint
State Scenic Viewpoint
A clifftop viewpoint overlooking the ocean and Face Rock, with a well-kept trail to the beach and rocky intertidal areas to explore at low tide.
- Beach
- Hiking
- Wildlife Viewing
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Fall Creek State Recreation Area
State Recreation Area
Six day-use parks and a primitive campground surround Fall Creek Reservoir, a tree-lined lake with boat ramps, swim beaches and lakeside campsites near Eugene.
- Camping
- Boating
- Fishing
- Swimming
- Picnicking
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Farewell Bend State Recreation Area
State Recreation Area
On the banks of the Snake River's Brownlee Reservoir near Ontario, this desert park offers RV and tent camping, cabins, a boat ramp and Oregon Trail history.
- Camping
- RV Camping
- Cabins
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Boating
- Wildlife Viewing
- Picnicking
- Historic Site
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Fogarty Creek State Recreation Area
State Recreation Area
A grassy day-use area near Lincoln City with wind-sheltered picnic spots, wooden footbridges through coastal forest, and a creek that flows into a scenic ocean cove.
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Picnicking
- Beach
- Wildlife Viewing
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Fort Rock Cave
State park system area
A National Historic Landmark near Fort Rock where archaeologists discovered sagebrush sandals over 9,000 years old; the cave is accessible only by reservation-required guided tour.
- Historic Site
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Fort Rock State Natural Area
State Natural Area
A National Natural Landmark in Oregon's high desert, this towering near-circle of jagged rock walls is an ancient tuff ring rising from what was once a shallow sea.
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Fort Stevens State Park
State Park
A 4,300-acre park at the mouth of the Columbia River near Astoria, offering one of the nation's largest campgrounds, a historic military fort, a freshwater lake and a shipwreck.
- Camping
- RV Camping
- Cabins
- Hiking
- Biking
- Fishing
- Boating
- Swimming
- Disc Golf
- Playground
- Wildlife Viewing
- Horseback Riding
- Picnicking
- Beach
- Historic Site
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Frenchglen Hotel State Heritage Site
State park system area
A historic 1917 hotel at the gateway to Steens Mountain in southeastern Oregon, offering rustic rooms and family-style dining much like stagecoach travelers once experienced.
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Historic Site
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Geisel Monument State Heritage Site
State park system area
A secluded picnic area near Gold Beach marking the site of a Rogue River Indian war skirmish and containing the grave sites of the Geisel family.
- Picnicking
- Historic Site
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Gleneden Beach State Recreation Site
State park system area
A short paved trail descends through shore pine forest to a soft sand beach near Lincoln City, where surfers catch morning waves and seals appear in the surf.
- Fishing
- Picnicking
- Beach
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Golden and Silver Falls State Natural Area
State Natural Area
A hidden gem in the coastal forests near Coos Bay where hiking trails wind through scenic canyons to two waterfalls plunging over sheer rock cliffs.
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Golden State Heritage Site
State park system area
A 19th century mining ghost town near Medford with four remaining buildings, including a church and former store, listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
- Historic Site
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Goose Lake State Recreation Area
State Recreation Area
A shady, wildlife-rich campground on the banks of Goose Lake on the Oregon-California border near Lakeview, with grassy expanses and an old homesteader's orchard.
- Camping
- RV Camping
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Government Island State Recreation Area
State Recreation Area
Three islands in the Columbia River north of Portland accessible only by boat, with 15 miles of shoreline, perimeter camping, docks and freshwater wetlands.
- Camping
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Swimming
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Hunting
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Governor Patterson Memorial State Recreation Site
State park system area
A beachcomber's park near Newport with miles of flat sandy beach near the mouth of Alsea Bay, good for windsurfing, crabbing, whale watching and sunsets.
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Beach
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Harris Beach State Park
State Park
On Oregon's south coast near Brookings, this park offers sandy beaches, rocky outcroppings, trails, camping and views of Bird Island, a National Wildlife Sanctuary.
- Camping
- Cabins
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Playground
- Wildlife Viewing
- Picnicking
- Beach
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Hat Rock State Park
State Park
A desert oasis on the south shore of Lake Wallula near Pendleton, with a boat ramp, trout-stocked pond, sand volleyball and the first landmark Lewis and Clark passed on the Columbia.
- Fishing
- Boating
- Swimming
- Hiking
- Biking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Picnicking
- Horseback Riding
- Historic Site
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Heceta Head Lighthouse State Scenic Viewpoint
State Scenic Viewpoint
Home to the iconic Heceta Head Lighthouse near Florence, this park features a historic bed and breakfast, a sheltered beach and a scenic section of the Oregon Coast Trail.
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Wildlife Viewing
- Picnicking
- Beach
- Historic Site
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Heritage Landing (Deschutes)
State park system area
A popular boat launch and day-use area near the mouth of the Deschutes River, serving as gateway to the Lower Deschutes National Wild and Scenic River.
- Boating
- Fishing
- Paddling
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Hilgard Junction State Park
State Park
A camping and day-use park on the Grande Ronde River near La Grande, set among cottonwood and ponderosa pine with rafting access and Oregon Trail history nearby.
- Camping
- Fishing
- Swimming
- Paddling
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Historic Site
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail
State Trail
Three disconnected paved paths along historic Highway 30 near Hood River offering more than 12 miles of Columbia River Gorge scenery, waterfalls and restored tunnels.
- Hiking
- Biking
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Historic Site
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Hoffman Memorial State Wayside
State Wayside
A shaded glen near Coos Bay canopied with myrtlewood trees; there is no drinking water at this small roadside park.
- Picnicking
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Hug Point State Recreation Site
State park system area
A small wayside five miles south of Cannon Beach with forested picnic areas, a sandy cove beach, sea caves, tide pools and a historic stagecoach road carved in rock.
- Picnicking
- Beach
- Historic Site
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Humbug Mountain State Park
State Park
A forest-ringed campground along Brush Creek near Port Orford, sheltered by one of the Oregon coast's highest headlands, with a 5.5-mile summit hike and beach access.
- Camping
- Hiking
- Backpacking
- Fishing
- Picnicking
- Beach
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Illinois River Forks State Park
State Park
A day-use park at the confluence of the east and west forks of the Illinois River near Cave Junction, with picnic tables, a walking trail and a nine-hole disc golf course.
- Fishing
- Disc Golf
- Picnicking
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Iwetemlaykin State Heritage Site
State park system area
A sacred Nez Perce site in the Wallowa Lake basin near Joseph, with short trails past Knight's Pond offering spectacular views of the Wallowa Mountains and wildflowers.
- Hiking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Historic Site
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Jackson F. Kimball State Recreation Site
State park system area
A pristine primitive camping site at the headwaters of the Wood River near Klamath Falls, with a spring-fed lagoon, canoe-accessible fishing and a walking trail.
- Camping
- Paddling
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Jasper State Recreation Site
State park system area
A riverside park near Eugene popular for weddings, reunions and picnics, with reservable group shelters, play fields, river access and trails for canoes and kayaks.
- Fishing
- Disc Golf
- Playground
- Hiking
- Paddling
- Picnicking
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Jessie M. Honeyman Memorial State Park
State Park
A coastal dune park near Florence with the state's second largest campground and two freshwater lakes for fishing, swimming, paddling and boating.
- Camping
- RV Camping
- Cabins
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Swimming
- Boating
- Paddling
- Playground
- Picnicking
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Kam Wah Chung State Heritage Site
State park system area
A National Historic Landmark in John Day that served as a Chinese medical clinic, store and community center, preserved as a time capsule with guided building tours.
- Historic Site
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
L.L. Stub Stewart State Park
State Park
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Lake Owyhee State Park
State Park
A remote oasis on the eastern edge of Oregon with camping and boating on the shore of a scenic desert canyon reservoir 53 miles long.
- Camping
- RV Camping
- Cabins
- Boating
- Fishing
- Wildlife Viewing
- Picnicking
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
LaPine State Park
State Park
A scenic park along the Upper Deschutes River near Bend in high desert subalpine forest, with 14 miles of multi-use trails, cabins, fishing, floating and winter recreation.
- Camping
- RV Camping
- Cabins
- Hiking
- Biking
- Fishing
- Boating
- Swimming
- Picnicking
- Winter Sports
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Latourell Falls Trailhead (Guy W. Talbot)
State park system area
A peaceful picnic site on the Historic Columbia River Highway with a reservable shelter and trails to the 224-foot Lower Latourell Falls and a 2-mile loop hike.
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Historic Site
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Lewis and Clark State Recreation Site
State park system area
A flat, grassy park at the western gateway of the Columbia River Gorge near the mouth of the Sandy River, with a boat launch, swim hole and cliffs for rock climbing.
- Boating
- Fishing
- Swimming
- Hiking
- Climbing
- Picnicking
- Historic Site
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Lost Creek State Recreation Site
State park system area
A day-use park seven miles south of Newport developed for picnicking and beach access, good for beachcombing, whale watching and sunsets.
- Fishing
- Beach
- Picnicking
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Lowell State Recreation Site
State park system area
A day-use park on the north shore of Dexter Lake near Eugene with a marina, swim beach, four-lane boat launch, playground and bald eagle sightings.
- Boating
- Fishing
- Swimming
- Playground
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Paddling
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Luckiamute State Natural Area
State Natural Area
A quiet park near Albany made up of north and south parcels for boating, paddling, hiking and wildlife viewing, with restored floodplain habitat and western pond turtles.
- Paddling
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Wildlife Viewing
- Camping
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Manhattan Beach State Recreation Site
State park system area
A day-use park north of Rockaway with picnic tables nestled among shore pine and a short access trail to the ocean beach.
- Beach
- Picnicking
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Maud Williamson State Recreation Site
State park system area
A flat Willamette Valley park near Salem covered by second-growth Douglas fir, with a reservable picnic shelter, a historic farmhouse and spring wildflowers.
- Picnicking
- Historic Site
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Mayer State Park
State Park
On the east end of the Columbia River Gorge near The Dalles, this park has three areas for windsurfing, kite boarding, boating, swimming and picnicking.
- Boating
- Fishing
- Swimming
- Picnicking
- Beach
- Hunting
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
McVay Rock State Recreation Site
State park system area
A well-hidden park near Brookings noted for surf fishing, clamming and whale watching, with a nine-hole disc golf course on a lawn overlooking the ocean.
- Fishing
- Disc Golf
- Beach
- Wildlife Viewing
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Memaloose State Park
State Park
A campground on the east end of the Columbia River Gorge near The Dalles, overlooking the river and Memaloose Island, with grassy meadows known for stargazing.
- Camping
- RV Camping
- Playground
- Picnicking
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Milo McIver State Park
State Park
A park along the Clackamas River 45 minutes from Portland with camping, river rafting, fishing, a fish hatchery, horse trails and a 27-hole disc golf course.
- Camping
- Paddling
- Fishing
- Boating
- Hiking
- Horseback Riding
- Disc Golf
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Minam State Recreation Area
State Recreation Area
A remote campground on the picturesque Wallowa River near the Minam and Wallowa confluence, off the beaten path with river access, trails and abundant wildlife.
- Camping
- Fishing
- Boating
- Paddling
- Hiking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Picnicking
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Mitchell Point Trailhead
State park system area
A Columbia River Gorge trailhead near Hood River providing access to the Wygant and Mitchell Point trails through Wygant State Natural Area, with sweeping Gorge views.
- Hiking
- Historic Site
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Molalla River State Park
State Park
A natural area near Canby at the confluence of the Willamette, Molalla and Pudding rivers, with grassy picnic fields, a boat ramp and one of the valley's largest heron rookeries.
- Boating
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Mongold (Detroit Lake)
State park system area
A day-use area on Detroit Lake with the only public boat launch on the lake, plus a swimming area, grass beach and picnic facilities.
- Boating
- Fishing
- Swimming
- Picnicking
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Munson Creek Falls State Natural Site
State Natural Site
Home to the 319-foot Munson Creek Falls near Tillamook, the tallest waterfall in the Coast Range, reached by a quarter-mile trail through old-growth forest.
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Muriel O. Ponsler Memorial State Scenic Viewpoint
State Scenic Viewpoint
A roadside viewpoint near Florence with about five miles of sandy beach, offering picnicking, whale watching and beachcombing.
- Fishing
- Picnicking
- Beach
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Nehalem Bay State Park
State Park
Set on a four-mile sand spit between ocean and bay near Manzanita, this park has a large campground, a forested bike path, a horse camp and an airport with fly-in campsites.
- Camping
- RV Camping
- Cabins
- Hiking
- Biking
- Fishing
- Boating
- Paddling
- Horseback Riding
- Playground
- Picnicking
- Beach
- Wildlife Viewing
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Neptune State Scenic Viewpoint
State Scenic Viewpoint
Four pullouts along Highway 101 near Florence offering cliff-top benches, beach access, tide pools, agate hunting and views of whales, sea lions and birds.
- Fishing
- Beach
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Neskowin Beach State Recreation Site
State park system area
A pristine long beach and Cascade headland near Lincoln City, with nearby Cascade Head trails, an undeveloped estuary for paddling and a seasonal farmers market.
- Fishing
- Picnicking
- Beach
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
OC and E Woods Line State Trail
State Trail
Oregon's longest linear park, a 100-mile non-motorized trail built on an old railbed from Klamath Falls east to Bly and north to Sycan Marsh.
- Hiking
- Biking
- Horseback Riding
- Fishing
- Wildlife Viewing
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Ocean Shore State Recreation Area
State Recreation Area
Oregon's entire publicly owned shoreline, stretching from the Columbia River to the California border, open for walking, tidepooling and the 362-mile Oregon Coast Trail.
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Horseback Riding
- Picnicking
- Beach
- Wildlife Viewing
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Oceanside Beach State Recreation Site
State park system area
A park in the community of Oceanside known for winter agate hunting, summer beachcombing, tidepools, surfing and skies filled with hang gliders and kites.
- Fishing
- Beach
- Wildlife Viewing
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Ontario State Recreation Site
State park system area
A restful day-use park on the west bank of the Snake River north of Ontario, with shaded grounds for boating, fishing, swimming, picnicking and bird watching.
- Boating
- Fishing
- Swimming
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Oswald West State Park
State Park
A 2,484-acre park stretching along four miles of coastline in temperate rainforest near Manzanita, with a secluded beach and 13 miles of Oregon Coast Trail.
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Picnicking
- Beach
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Otter Crest State Scenic Viewpoint
State Scenic Viewpoint
A viewpoint at Cape Foulweather near Newport, 500 feet above the ocean, with sweeping coast views, whale watching and a historic 1937 gift shop.
- Wildlife Viewing
- Historic Site
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Otter Point State Recreation Site
State park system area
A park near Gold Beach with walking and hiking trails overlooking pristine beaches and unusual wind- and wave-sculpted sandstone rock formations.
- Beach
- Hiking
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Paradise Point State Recreation Site
State park system area
A parking area near Port Orford with an expansive coastal vista from Port Orford Heads to Cape Blanco, and a beach good for beachcombing and finding agates.
- Beach
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Pete French Round Barn State Heritage Site
State park system area
A unique round barn built by cattle baron Peter French in Harney County, used to train wild horses to pull wool and supply wagons.
- Historic Site
- Wildlife Viewing
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Peter Skene Ogden State Scenic Viewpoint
State Scenic Viewpoint
A wayside perched atop a striking basalt canyon with vertical cliffs and scenic river views near Bend.
- Picnicking
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Pilot Butte State Scenic Viewpoint
State Scenic Viewpoint
An old cinder cone east of Bend with three trails winding through juniper and sage to a summit with panoramic high desert and Cascade views.
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Playground
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Pistol River State Scenic Viewpoint
State Scenic Viewpoint
A southern Oregon coast park set in dunes along the Pistol River, known for birding and championship ocean windsurfing.
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback Riding
- Beach
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Port Orford Heads State Park
State Park
A small coastal park preserving the historic Port Orford Lifeboat Station, with trails offering dramatic ocean views and a museum.
- Fishing
- Wildlife Viewing
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Historic Site
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Portland Women's Forum State Scenic Viewpoint
State Scenic Viewpoint
A small park offering a stunning view of Vista House framed by the Columbia River Gorge, a popular photography spot.
- Historic Site
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Prineville Reservoir State Park
State Park
A high desert park on a 3,000-acre reservoir certified as an International Dark Sky Park, offering camping, water recreation and stargazing.
- Camping
- Cabins
- Boating
- Fishing
- Swimming
- Hiking
- Picnicking
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Prospect State Scenic Viewpoint
State Scenic Viewpoint
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Red Bridge State Wayside
State Wayside
A forested park along the Grande Ronde River in the Blue Mountains, offering camping, fishing and a base for big game hunting.
- Fishing
- Picnicking
- Camping
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Roads End State Recreation Site
State park system area
A sheltered beach north of Lincoln City with tidepools, a hidden cove at low tide, and popular glass float hunting.
- Wildlife Viewing
- Beach
- Picnicking
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Rocky Creek State Scenic Viewpoint
State Scenic Viewpoint
An ocean-front park on a forested bluff with offshore rocks for wildlife and an official gray whale watching site.
- Fishing
- Picnicking
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Rooster Rock State Park
State Park
A large Columbia River park east of Portland with beaches, windsurfing, disc golf courses and a tranquil lagoon for paddling and fishing.
- Boating
- Fishing
- Swimming
- Picnicking
- Beach
- Hiking
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Saddle Mountain State Natural Area
State Natural Area
A natural area cherished for rare wildflowers and a 3,288-foot summit with panoramic views of the Columbia River and Cascade Mountains.
- Hiking
- Picnicking
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor
State Scenic Corridor
Twelve ocean-hugging miles of craggy bluffs, secluded beaches and offshore rock formations connecting an 18-mile segment of the Oregon Coast Trail.
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Beach
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Sarah Helmick State Recreation Site
State park system area
Oregon's first state park, a small shady site along the Luckiamute River with reservable picnic areas beneath big leaf maples.
- Fishing
- Picnicking
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Seal Rock State Recreation Site
State park system area
A coastal site south of Newport with offshore rock formations sheltering seals and sea birds, plus tidepools and a sandy beach.
- Wildlife Viewing
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Beach
- Picnicking
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Seven Devils State Recreation Site
State park system area
A beach access point near Coos Bay offering miles of open sandy beach popular with agate beachcombers.
- Fishing
- Picnicking
- Beach
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Seven Streams Staging Area (Vinzenz Lausmann Memorial State Natural Area)
State park system area
A gateway west of Hood River to a network of hiking, equestrian, mountain biking and ATV trails across state, forest and private land.
- Hiking
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Shepperd's Dell State Natural Area
State Natural Area
A two-tiered waterfall cascading into Youngs Creek along the historic Columbia River Highway, viewed via a short trail to its base.
- Hiking
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Shore Acres State Park
State Park
A clifftop park on the former estate of timber baron Louis Simpson, featuring formal gardens and dramatic ocean views.
- Wildlife Viewing
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Beach
- Historic Site
Oregon State Parks
- Full guide
Silver Falls State Park
State Park
Called the crown jewel of Oregon's parks, home to the Trail of Ten Falls and over 35 miles of backcountry trails through forested canyon.
- Camping
- Cabins
- Fishing
- Horseback Riding
- Wildlife Viewing
- Swimming
- Playground
- Biking
- Hiking
- Picnicking
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Sitka Sedge State Natural Area
State Natural Area
A coastal natural area with tidal flats, saltwater marshes and 3.5 miles of looping trails leading to beach views and abundant marsh wildlife.
- Wildlife Viewing
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Beach
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Smelt Sands State Recreation Site
State park system area
A whale watching and tidepooling viewpoint with the historic 804 Trail, known for rock fishing and the yearly smelt run.
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Beach
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Smith Rock State Park
State Park
A deep river canyon park world-renowned for rock climbing, with thousands of routes plus hiking and mountain biking trails.
- Wildlife Viewing
- Fishing
- Horseback Riding
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Camping
- Climbing
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
South Beach State Park
State Park
A coastal park south of Newport with miles of sandy beach, paved trails, a disc golf course and a large campground.
- Fishing
- Wildlife Viewing
- Disc Golf
- Biking
- Beach
- Camping
- Hiking
- Picnicking
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Starvation Creek State Park
State Park
A tiny Columbia Gorge park at the base of sheer cliffs with a namesake waterfall steps from the parking area and trailhead access.
- Wildlife Viewing
- Picnicking
- Hiking
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
State Capitol State Park
State Park
A Salem park around the Capitol featuring cherry trees, three fountains, a Moon Tree and county history plaques set in the mall.
- Picnicking
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Stonefield Beach State Recreation Site
State park system area
An easy beach access site near Tenmile Creek, a good spot to sit in the sun and watch for whales.
- Fishing
- Beach
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Succor Creek State Natural Area
State Natural Area
A remote natural area in a deep rocky canyon, a haven for rock hounds and wildlife watchers with primitive camping along the creek.
- Wildlife Viewing
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Camping
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Sumpter Valley Dredge State Heritage Area
State Heritage Area
A historic gold dredge at the base of the Elkhorn Mountains, with trails through park wetlands reclaimed after decades of mining.
- Fishing
- Wildlife Viewing
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Historic Site
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Sunset Bay State Park
State Park
A scenic coastal park with sandy beaches sheltered by sea cliffs, a campground, and hiking trails to nearby parks and headlands.
- Cabins
- Boating
- Fishing
- Wildlife Viewing
- Swimming
- Hiking
- Beach
- Picnicking
- Camping
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Sunset Beach State Recreation Site
State park system area
A coastal park marking the west trailhead of the Fort-to-Sea Trail, with direct Pacific Ocean access and expansive views.
- Wildlife Viewing
- Hiking
- Beach
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
The Cove Palisades State Park
State Park
A central Oregon park in the Deschutes and Crooked River canyons, a year-round destination for camping and water sports on Lake Billy Chinook.
- Paddling
- Cabins
- Boating
- Fishing
- Wildlife Viewing
- Swimming
- Playground
- Hiking
- Camping
- Picnicking
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Thompson's Mills State Heritage Site
State park system area
The oldest standing water-powered grain mill in Oregon, chronicling 160 years of rural life with guided tours of its working turbines.
- Historic Site
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Tokatee Klootchman State Natural Site
State Natural Site
A natural site a few feet above the ocean with an excellent view, a great place to watch for whales.
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Tolovana Beach State Recreation Site
State park system area
An ocean front site at the south end of Cannon Beach near Haystack Rock, with a playground and access for kite flying and sunsets.
- Beach
- Picnicking
- Playground
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
TouVelle State Recreation Site
State park system area
A day-use park on the Rogue River at the foot of Table Rock, with picnicking, fishing, swimming, a boat ramp and a 2-mile trail.
- Boating
- Wildlife Viewing
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Swimming
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Tryon Creek State Natural Area
State Natural Area
Oregon's only state park within a major metropolitan area, with 658 acres of second-growth forest and eight miles of trails near Portland.
- Wildlife Viewing
- Horseback Riding
- Biking
- Hiking
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Tseriadun State Recreation Site
State park system area
A Port Orford beach popular with agate collectors and photographers, with trout fishing in nearby Garrison Lake.
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Beach
- Fishing
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Tub Springs State Wayside
State Wayside
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Tumalo State Park
State Park
A central Oregon park along the Deschutes River four miles north of Bend, an ideal base camp for fishing, floating and hiking.
- Cabins
- Fishing
- Swimming
- Playground
- Hiking
- Camping
- Picnicking
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Ukiah-Dale Forest State Scenic Corridor
State Scenic Corridor
A scenic corridor following Highway 395 through ponderosa pine forest along the John Day River, with a primitive campground and fishing.
- Fishing
- Wildlife Viewing
- Camping
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Umpqua Lighthouse State Park
State Park
A coastal park on freshwater Lake Marie near the Umpqua River Lighthouse, with hiking, paddling and cabins amid towering sand dunes.
- Cabins
- Boating
- Fishing
- Picnicking
- Hiking
- Camping
- Beach
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Umpqua State Scenic Corridor
State Scenic Corridor
A small park on the Umpqua River with picnic tables, a vault restroom and a short boat ramp, set among myrtle and maple trees.
- Boating
- Fishing
- Picnicking
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Unity Lake State Recreation Site
State park system area
An oasis of green in Oregon's high desert offering boating and angling, with a small campground near wilderness areas and historic sites.
- Cabins
- Boating
- Fishing
- Wildlife Viewing
- Camping
- Picnicking
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Valley of the Rogue State Park
State Park
A getaway in the Rogue Valley with a day-use area and campground along three miles of Rogue River shoreline and a riverside trail.
- Cabins
- Boating
- Fishing
- Camping
- Hiking
- Picnicking
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Viento State Park
State Park
A Columbia Gorge campground eight miles west of Hood River with windsurfing access and a trailhead for the Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail.
- Boating
- Fishing
- Playground
- Hiking
- Camping
- Picnicking
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Vista House (Crown Point)
State park system area
A historic 1918 observatory atop a cliff 693 feet above the Columbia River, housing a museum, gift shop and interpretive displays.
- Historic Site
- Picnicking
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
W. B. Nelson State Recreation Site
State park system area
A small site with a freshwater lake and fishing dock for bass and trout, plus a scenic wetland known for abundant waterfowl.
- Wildlife Viewing
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Picnicking
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Wallowa Falls Campground
State park system area
A walk-in tent campground at the base of the Wallowa Mountains, surrounded by cliffs and pines with trails into the Eagle Cap Wilderness.
- Wildlife Viewing
- Camping
- Hiking
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Wallowa Lake Highway Forest State Scenic Corridor
State Scenic Corridor
A day-use site along the Wallowa River in a steeply forested canyon, popular for steelhead fishing and viewing deer, elk and bear.
- Fishing
- Wildlife Viewing
- Picnicking
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Wallowa Lake State Park
State Park
A park between a glacial lake and the towering Wallowa Mountains, an ideal base for wilderness treks and watersports with a marina and beach.
- Cabins
- Boating
- Fishing
- Wildlife Viewing
- Disc Golf
- Playground
- Swimming
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Camping
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Whale Watching Center
State park system area
A center on a Depoe Bay seawall with a viewing deck and binoculars where staff help visitors spot migrating gray whales and other marine life.
- Wildlife Viewing
- Picnicking
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
White River Falls State Park
State Park
A central Oregon park where White River Falls plunges 90 feet over a basalt shelf, with a trail to a historic hydroelectric power plant.
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Picnicking
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Willamette Mission State Park
State Park
A 1,300-acre park on the National Register marking the 1834 Willamette Mission site, with trails, lakes, disc golf and the nation's largest black cottonwood.
- Paddling
- Boating
- Fishing
- Wildlife Viewing
- Disc Golf
- Horseback Riding
- Biking
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Historic Site
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Willamette River Greenway and Water Trail
State Trail
A nationally recognized water trail spanning more than 255 miles of the Willamette River with greenway open spaces, boat launches and camping.
- Boating
- Camping
- Hunting
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Willamette Stone State Heritage Site
State park system area
A forest tract preserving the Willamette Stone, the initial point of the Willamette Meridian to which all Oregon and Washington land surveys reference.
- Historic Site
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
William M. Tugman State Park
State Park
A hideaway on Eel Lake near Lakeside with campsites tucked in shore pines, outstanding for fishing, swimming, canoeing and boating.
- Paddling
- Cabins
- Boating
- Fishing
- Wildlife Viewing
- Swimming
- Playground
- Hiking
- Camping
- Picnicking
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Winchuck State Recreation Site
State park system area
A park providing access to the Winchuck River and ocean beach for fishing, clamming, strolling and observing marine life.
- Boating
- Fishing
- Wildlife Viewing
- Swimming
- Beach
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Wolf Creek Inn State Heritage Site
State park system area
A historic Applegate Trail stagecoach inn from 1883, the oldest continuously operated hotel in the Pacific Northwest, on the National Register.
- Historic Site
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Yachats Ocean Road State Natural Site
State Natural Site
A one-mile loop road exposing scenic views of Yachats Bay and the Pacific, with beach access and a river mouth popular with anglers.
- Beach
- Picnicking
- Fishing
- Swimming
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Yachats State Recreation Area
State Recreation Area
A small ocean-front park near Yachats with an accessible viewing platform for whales and waves and a steep path to a rocky intertidal area.
- Fishing
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
Oregon State Parks
- Official page
Yaquina Bay State Recreation Site
State park system area
A forested bluff in Newport overlooking Yaquina Bay, home to the historic Yaquina Bay Lighthouse and trails to the beach along the north jetty.
- Fishing
- Beach
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Historic Site
Oregon State Parks
Inventory source: USGS PAD-US 4.1. Curated states also use official agency directories where available. Official reservations and rules remain state-specific, so use the state booking links above before committing to dates.
National parks in Oregon
State parks in Oregon
State-park guides focus on the decisions that usually make or break the weekend: camping reservations, day-use access, trail difficulty, and seasonal crowd pressure.
Getting around Oregon
Portland International Airport (PDX) is the main gateway and the most practical landing spot for the northern half of the state: the city itself, the Columbia River Gorge, Mount Hood, and the north coast are all within easy reach. From PDX it is about 38 miles (roughly 50 minutes) to the Mount Hood village area, and the Gorge waterfall corridor begins just east of the city along I-84.
If your trip centers on the high desert, fly into Redmond Municipal Airport (RDM), the closest hub to Bend. For Crater Lake, the nearest airport is Rogue Valley International in Medford (MFR) to the south, which saves you the long haul down from Portland.
Driving is how you actually see Oregon, and the distances are real. Portland to Bend runs about 160 miles (3 hours), often via Mount Hood and US-97. Portland to Crater Lake is roughly 250 miles and 4.5 to 5 hours on the more direct route; add time and scenery if you route through the Gorge and Mount Hood instead (closer to 300 miles). Bend to Crater Lake is a manageable couple of hours south, which makes a Bend-based trip a smart way to pair high desert and the national park. Coast-to-mountains crossings are shorter than the map suggests, but mountain passes can hold snow into late spring, so check conditions before you commit to a route in the shoulder seasons.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best national park in Oregon?
Crater Lake is Oregon's only national park, and it is a genuine standout. It surrounds the deepest lake in the United States (about 1,943 feet), set inside the caldera of a collapsed volcano, with an exceptionally vivid blue color fed entirely by rain and snow. The 33-mile Rim Drive, rim trails, and Mt. Scott summit hike are the highlights once the snow clears.
When is the best time to visit Oregon's parks?
For the mountains and Crater Lake, aim for July through September, when trails and the rim road are clear of snow and daytime temperatures sit around 65-80F. Crater Lake's Rim Drive and north entrance typically close from November into May under heavy snow, leaving only the south entrance open for winter snowshoeing. The Oregon coast and the Columbia River Gorge stay accessible year-round, though they are rainiest from October through May.
Do I need a car to explore Oregon's outdoors?
Yes, for nearly all of it. Public transit covers Portland well, but the Gorge waterfalls, Mount Hood, Bend's high desert, the coast, and Crater Lake are spread across long distances with limited transit. Renting a car (Portland for the north, Redmond for Bend, Medford for Crater Lake) is the only practical way to link the major outdoor areas.