As the season changes to crisper air and the summer crowds disperse, plan to visit some truly special Oregon State Parks. We selected five locations across the state, from the rolling forested hills outside of Portland to the scenic rocky coastline, to include in your fall adventure plans.
1. Emigrant Springs State Heritage Area
Explore and camp part of the popular Oregon Trail just like the pioneers! It’s a perfect location to bring your family and friends with shaded RV and tent campgrounds, horse camp and rustic log cabins. The area offers activities for everyone including picnic areas, basketball court, baseball field, horseshoe pits, and hiking or horseback riding along the 20 miles of trails through the surrounding old-growth forest. It’s a great place for family reunions including a large meeting hall, or to simply add on your road trip near the Blue Mountains.
2. Prineville Reservoir State Park
Stop midway along the Crooked River Canyon scenic drive to enjoy the 15-mile long Prineville Reservoir. This park offers two campgrounds and primitive hike-in or boat-in campsites along its 43-mile shoreline. There is plenty to see by walking the beach, exploring by boat, hiking the trails or fishing along the shores. The main campground offers full-service and day use areas. Jasper Point Campground offers first-come, first-serve sites for those last-minute adventures.
3. Humbug Mountain State Park
Humbug Mountain is located along the southern Oregon Coast near Port Orford and is the perfect spot for those wanting easy ocean access with nearby campsites among the trees. The main attraction is beachcombing, windsurfing, scuba diving and hiking three trails, including the summit of Humbug Mountain for incredible views of the coastline with offshore rocks and sheltered coves. The campground includes 95 sites with hot showers and restrooms.
4. L.L. Stub Stewart Memorial State Park
Outside of Portland in the rolling hills is an outdoor recreational playground for those needing to escape the city. There are over 25-miles of equestrian, mountain biking and hiking paths including a portion of the Banks-Vernonia State Trail. Enjoy a game of disc golf, bring your furry friends to enjoy the fenced leash area, or visit the Interpretive center. Make plans to stay overnight at one of four campgrounds or at the cabin village to make sure you have time see and do everything.
5. Joseph H. Stewart State Recreation Area
Find your new favorite getaway at Lost Creek Reservoir outside of Medford. It’s a popular site for all watersports including year-round trout and smallmouth bass fishing. The park offers a large beach area for sunbathing and picnicking, and 11 miles of hiking and biking trails to explore the meadows, lake shoreline and waterfall. Stop by the Lost Creek Marina for supplies and food, or boat storage and rentals. There are over 200 campsites for RVs and tents with flush toilets and hot showers to choose from. It’s a great spot to add to your southern Oregon fall road trip.