You can't venture far in Oregon without running into a state park. There are 254 in total, encompassing over 120,000 acres, 53 of which have campgrounds. Oregon’s state parks are as diverse as the state itself. Many of the parks in the state are built with popular outdoor recreation activities in mind, with campgrounds offering easy access to white water rapids, rock-climbing crags, massive sand dunes, and mile upon mile of wilderness trails. While many of Oregon's campgrounds are open year-round, a reflection of Oregonians' penchant for being outdoors rain or shine, the balmy summer months are by far the best for camping, wherever you are in the state.
Where to Go
The Oregon Coast
Characterized by forest-fringed expanses of massive headlands and sandy shores, the state parks of the Oregon Coast offer a perfect blend of wooded camping and coastal views. If you're looking for easy beach access, Fort Stevens State Park on the North Coast is a great option, as is the aptly named Cape Lookout State Park, which has a trail up to an ocean viewpoint. Further south, Beverly Beach State Park features camping by the beach, while Jessie M. Honeyman State Park has two swimmable lakes plus direct access to the Central Coast's massive sand dunes.
Willamette Valley
Flanked on either side by the Cascade Mountains and the Coastal Range, and extending from Portland clear down past the city of Eugene, the Willamette Valley is home to a variety of state parks that attract day-trippers and overnight campers alike. Among the most popular are Silver Falls State Park, known for its numerous waterfalls, and Cascadia State Park, which offers great swimming and rafting opportunities in the warmer summer months.
Southern Oregon
Near the border with California, Southern Oregon has generally pleasant weather and easy access to some of Oregon's most popular spots to raft and fish. If you want to be right on the banks of the popular Rogue River, Valley of the Rogue State Park is your best bet, while Collier Memorial State Park is a quieter riverside alternative with great trout fishing opportunities.
East of the Cascades
A dryer alternative to the rainy climes found in Western Oregon, the eastern part of the state is characterized by a mix of thick forest and arid high desert, plus some of the most remote areas in the state. You'll find great opportunities for hiking and rock climbing at Smith Rock State Park near Bend, while LaPine State Park offers year-round recreation, with hiking and fishing in the summer and cross-country skiing and snowmobiling in the winter. For something even more remote, head out to Wallowa Lake State Park, not far from the massive Eagle Cap Wilderness.
State Park campgrounds in Oregon.
From lush coastal campgrounds to arid high desert lands, Oregon's diverse state parks have you covered.
You can't venture far in Oregon without running into a state park. There are 254 in total, encompassing over 120,000 acres, 53 of which have campgrounds. Oregon’s state parks are as diverse as the state itself. Many of the parks in the state are built with popular outdoor recreation activities in mind, with campgrounds offering easy access to white water rapids,
Read more...You can't venture far in Oregon without running into a state park. There are 254 in total, encompassing over 120,000 acres, 53 of which have campgrounds. Oregon’s state parks are as diverse as the state itself. Many of the parks in the state are built with popular outdoor recreation activities in mind, with campgrounds offering easy access to white water rapids, rock-climbing crags, massive sand dunes, and mile upon mile of wilderness trails. While many of Oregon's campgrounds are open year-round, a reflection of Oregonians' penchant for being outdoors rain or shine, the balmy summer months are by far the best for camping, wherever you are in the state.
Where to Go
The Oregon Coast
Characterized by forest-fringed expanses of massive headlands and sandy shores, the state parks of the Oregon Coast offer a perfect blend of wooded camping and coastal views. If you're looking for easy beach access, Fort Stevens State Park on the North Coast is a great option, as is the aptly named Cape Lookout State Park, which has a trail up to an ocean viewpoint. Further south, Beverly Beach State Park features camping by the beach, while Jessie M. Honeyman State Park has two swimmable lakes plus direct access to the Central Coast's massive sand dunes.
Willamette Valley
Flanked on either side by the Cascade Mountains and the Coastal Range, and extending from Portland clear down past the city of Eugene, the Willamette Valley is home to a variety of state parks that attract day-trippers and overnight campers alike. Among the most popular are Silver Falls State Park, known for its numerous waterfalls, and Cascadia State Park, which offers great swimming and rafting opportunities in the warmer summer months.
Southern Oregon
Near the border with California, Southern Oregon has generally pleasant weather and easy access to some of Oregon's most popular spots to raft and fish. If you want to be right on the banks of the popular Rogue River, Valley of the Rogue State Park is your best bet, while Collier Memorial State Park is a quieter riverside alternative with great trout fishing opportunities.
East of the Cascades
A dryer alternative to the rainy climes found in Western Oregon, the eastern part of the state is characterized by a mix of thick forest and arid high desert, plus some of the most remote areas in the state. You'll find great opportunities for hiking and rock climbing at Smith Rock State Park near Bend, while LaPine State Park offers year-round recreation, with hiking and fishing in the summer and cross-country skiing and snowmobiling in the winter. For something even more remote, head out to Wallowa Lake State Park, not far from the massive Eagle Cap Wilderness.