Oregon is flush with bucket-list parks — here’s looking at you, Crater Lake — but hundreds of state and county parks also dazzle with rewarding hikes, awesome swimming and fantastic scenery. Some are more crowded than others, yet finding solitude isn’t so hard. Remember, go early and on weekdays, and you’ll increase your chances for beating the crowds. No matter where you wind up, be sure to practice the seven Leave No Trace principles, which include traveling and camping only on durable surfaces, properly disposing of waste and respecting wildlife. Here are some of Oregon’s most popular state parks and their less visited alternatives.
1. Oregon Coast
Instead of Ecola State Park, head to the Fort to Sea trail for coastal views.
Hugging 9 miles of the coastline between Seaside and Cannon Beach, Ecola State Park offers visitors sweeping ocean views along an 8-mile segment of the Oregon Coast Trail. These treks, however, are prone to overuse, and the park has no safe overflow-parking options.
Instead, choose the path less traveled with the Fort to Sea trail. The 13-mile (round-trip) hike begins at either Sunset Beach State Recreation Site — an ocean beach park roughly 6 miles north of Gearhart — or Lewis and Clark National Historical Park, 6 miles southwest of downtown Astoria. The trail, reportedly used by the Corps of Discovery expedition, ends at the reconstructed Fort Clatsop and its interpretive center. Between the fort and the sea, the trail heads into rolling hills of conifer forests, along quiet streams and across open meadows. Keep an eye out for the area’s resident elk grazing in fields, and watch for the distinctive, U-shape summit of Saddle Mountain to the south.
2. Mt. Hood and the Columbia River Gorge
Instead of Rooster Rock, go to Mayer State Park for riverside fun.
Situated along the banks of the Columbia River near Corbett, Rooster Rock State Park is a popular launch spot for windsurfers and a great spot for spectators to post up and watch the action along the long, flat beachy shores.
However, it pays to travel a little farther east for a less crowded riverside destination. Mayer State Park, about 55 miles east of Corbett near The Dalles, offers the same windsurfing action but with fewer crowds and stunning views of the cliffs that run along the river’s edge. With wildflowers in spring, the location is a great one for a picnic under the large ponderosa pines or an afternoon of swimming and paddling the waters of the park’s sheltered cove. After your day outdoors, head into The Dalles to explore local eateries, charming shops, award-winning wineries and breweries, or stroll the scenic riverfront trail for a picturesque ending to your Columbia Gorge adventure.
3. Willamette Valley
Instead of Silver Falls, check out Cascadia County Park for waterfall vibes.
Nicknamed the “crown jewel” of the Oregon State Park system, Silver Falls State Park in Silverton shows off with 10 impressive waterfalls, including a 177-foot curtain that hikers can walk behind. On any given day, a steady stream of visitors floods the trails to get a view of these wonders. Even on those days, trails outside the Ten Falls area will have fewer people. The North Rim Trail is great for people with mobility challenges, with a compacted surface at least 6 feet wide that leads to a viewpoint of the North Falls. To really beat the crowds, spend the night in a tree. Away from the park’s Trail of Ten Falls, visitors can pick up trail essentials at the on-site Ten Falls Supply Co., dine at a pair of in-park cafés and stay at the newly renovated Smith Creek Village cabins.
Even so, you can find more solitude about 60 miles south at Cascadia County Park, along Highway 20 — part of the Over the Rivers & Through the Woods Scenic Byway. A former state park now managed by Linn County, Cascadia offers a tranquil atmosphere of lush Douglas firs and moss-covered rocks along Soda Creek Falls, which you can walk right up to. The location also has rich history for members of what is today the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde and the region’s first European-American emigrants — you can even spot ruts from the Santiam Wagon Trail, an 1800s military route.
4. Central Oregon
Instead of Smith Rock, hit the trails at Cove Palisades for high-desert treks.
One of Central Oregon’s most visited outdoor attractions, Smith Rock State Park near Terrebonne wows with its towering rock spires and spectacular river canyons. Alongside thousands of rock-climbing routes, the park is also home to hiking trails that allow lucky visitors to see golden eagles, prairie falcons and beavers.
Another great option for desert hiking sits to the north at The Cove Palisades State Park, a stunning swath of sun-fired rock and refreshing lakeside swimming holes. The Tam-a-láu trail will take you up to the rim on a 7-mile loop for views of the Deschutes and Crooked river canyons, away from the sunbathers and boaters down below. You’ll find a landscape changed by a recent wildfire — the park was saved by good planning and fire prevention — so be sure to avoid dangerous areas, observe all park notices and signage, take care on the trails and look for signs of regrowth and regeneration.
5. Southern Oregon
Instead of Valley of the Rogue, go to Jackson Kimball for a riverside picnic.
A green oasis situated right on the banks of the Rogue River, Valley of the Rogue State Park is one of the most visited state parks in Southern Oregon, with wide-open grass fields and idyllic riverfront views.
A better bet for finding peace and solitude is to visit Jackson F. Kimball State Recreation Site, about 90 miles northeast. Immerse yourself in a forest of lodgepole pines, expansive meadow grasslands and the stream of the Wood River. A short walk from the campgrounds, you’ll find a bubbling spring on a rocky hillside.
6. Eastern Oregon
Instead of Wallowa Lake, pay a visit to Minam State Recreation Area for waterfront inspiration.
It’s easy to see why visitors love Wallowa Lake State Park. One day spent plunging into the park’s namesake glacial waters while looking up at the towering peaks of the Wallowa Mountains and you too will understand.
However, you can get out and enjoy the waterways without the crowds at Minam State Recreation Area, a less-crowded spot along the Wallowa River near La Grande. Tucked between the Wallowa-Whitman and Umatilla national forests, the site is great for boaters, anglers, rafters and kayakers alike, who can unwind at the quiet, off-the-beaten-path locale. Campers may even spot resident wildlife, like deer, bear, elk and bighorn sheep.
