List of Oregon state parks Facts for Kids

Oregon is home to many amazing state parks and other cool places managed by the Oregon State Parks and Recreation Department. These parks offer a huge variety of fun things to see and do!

You can explore beautiful beaches, deep forests, sparkling lakes, tall rock pinnacles, and even dry deserts. There are tons of outdoor activities like camping overnight, going for hikes, fishing, boating, and visiting historic spots. You can also find great places to stop and enjoy a scenic view. In 2022, Oregon State Parks celebrated its 100th birthday with special events all year long!

Exploring Oregon's Park Regions

The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department divides its parks into different areas. This helps people find parks that are close to them or fit the type of adventure they're looking for.

North Coast: This region stretches from the mighty Columbia River down to just south of Lincoln City. Think sandy beaches and ocean views!
Central Coast: This area goes from Lincoln City all the way to the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area. More beautiful coastline awaits!
South Coast: From the Dunes NRA down to the border with California. Rugged cliffs and stunning ocean scenery are common here.
Willamette Valley: This is the heartland, from the southern edge of the Portland area down to Cottage Grove. It's known for its green fields and rivers.
Southern Oregon: South of the Willamette Valley, this region goes from the coast mountains east through Lake County. It has a mix of landscapes.
Portland/Columbia Gorge: This includes Columbia County, the northern Willamette Valley, and east along the Columbia River through the Cascade Range. Expect stunning waterfalls and river views.
Central Oregon: This is the northern part of the high plateau, east of the Cascades. It's often sunny and has unique rock formations.
Eastern Oregon: This covers the eastern 40% of the state. It's a vast area with wide-open spaces and different types of terrain.

Popular Parks and What to Do

Oregon's state parks offer something for everyone. Here are just a few examples of the types of parks you can visit and what makes them special:

Coastal Adventures

Fort Stevens State Park (North Coast): This park is huge! You can camp, explore old military batteries, and even see a shipwreck on the beach. It's a great spot for history buffs and beach lovers.
Cape Lookout State Park (North Coast): Located on a beautiful headland, this park offers amazing views of the Pacific Ocean. It's perfect for camping and hiking along the coast.
Jessie M. Honeyman Memorial State Park (Central Coast): Near Florence, this park is famous for its massive sand dunes. You can go sandboarding, hike, or just enjoy the unique landscape.
Bullards Beach State Park (South Coast): Near Bandon, this park has a lighthouse, horse trails, and plenty of camping spots. It's a fantastic place to explore the southern coast.

Forest and River Fun

Silver Falls State Park (Willamette Valley): Known as the "Crown Jewel" of the Oregon State Parks system, it has ten amazing waterfalls! You can even walk behind some of them. It's a must-see for nature lovers.
Collier Memorial State Park (Southern Oregon): This park features a historic logging museum with huge old logging equipment. It's a cool place to learn about Oregon's past.
Deschutes River State Recreation Area (Portland/Columbia Gorge): Located where the Deschutes River meets the Columbia River, this park is popular for fishing, rafting, and camping.
Milo McIver State Park (Portland/Columbia Gorge): This park offers disc golf, fishing, and hiking trails along the Clackamas River. It's a great spot for a day trip or a longer stay.

Desert and Mountain Views

Smith Rock State Park (Central Oregon): If you love rock climbing or just want to see incredible rock formations, this is the place! It's also great for hiking and wildlife viewing.
The Cove Palisades State Park (Central Oregon): This park is on a huge reservoir, perfect for boating, fishing, and swimming. The views of the canyon walls are stunning.
Wallowa Lake State Recreation Area (Eastern Oregon): Nestled at the base of the Wallowa Mountains, this park is a gateway to high-mountain adventures. You can camp, boat on the lake, or hike into the wilderness.

Photo gallery

Crown Point and Vista House, a beautiful viewpoint in the Columbia Gorge.
A close-up of the Heceta Head Light tower, a famous lighthouse on the Oregon Coast.
South Falls at Silver Falls State Park, where you can walk behind the waterfall!
Smith Rock, a popular spot for climbing and hiking in Central Oregon.
The Whale Watching Center at Depoe Bay, a great place to spot whales.
A scenic part of the Oregon Coast Trail in Oswald West State Park.
Cape Kiwanda, known for its unique sandstone formations and Haystack Rock.
Camas Creek in the Ukiah–Dale Forest State Scenic Corridor.
Looking north from Cape Sebastian, showing the rugged Oregon coastline.

List of Oregon state parks facts for kids