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Camping and Hiking in Oregon
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Beachside State Recreation Site
A few miles south of Waldport and north of Yachats on the
central coast, this small, exquisite destination campground is
right along side miles of broad, sandy beach. Tent and electric
sites accommodate one vehicle per site. Every site is mere
seconds from the beach, which makes the park perfect for
watching storms, sunsets and whales. This is a popular winter
camping park. Beachside is an excellent mid-point stop as you
take a jaunt on the coast. Within 30 miles in either direction,
you'll find visitor centers, tide pools, hiking and driving
tours, three lighthouses, crabbing, clamming, fishing, aquaria
and science centers. 32 electrical, 50 tent (maximum site 30
feet); 2 yurts; hiker/biker camp. For information call:
(800)551-6949
Cove Palisades State Park
The Cove Palisades State Park is central Oregon's year-round
recreational destination for the entire family. Located in
Oregon's high desert region, the weather is sunny and warm in
the summer months and chilly but generally mild in the winter.
The park is situated among towering cliffs that surround
beautiful Lake Billy Chinook. The park features myriad water
recreational opportunities, a full-service campground, store,
restaurant, marina and rental services. Not interested in
camping? Rustic lakeshore log cabins are available. Nature
lovers will find nearly 10 miles of hiking trails that give
access to areas rich in wildlife and splendid scenery. The park
is home to two popular special events: the Lake Billy Chinook
Day in September (a clean-up and festival) and the annual Eagle
Watch in February. For information call: (800)551-6949
Viento State Park
Appropriately enough for a park in the blustery Columbia River
Gorge, the name Viento (pronounced Vee-EN-toe) is Spanish for
wind. Just an odd coincidence, actually. In this case, the name
comes from the first letters of three railroad tycoons (Villard,
Endicott and Tollman) who put the first railroad in the area.
Where a railroad station once stood is now the home of one of
the Gorge's best kept secrets: Viento is a great place to camp!
With modern campsites, Viento almost always has a spot available
when other campgrounds in the area are full. No reservations are
required. On weekends in the summer, rangers provide
interpretive programs. A fully-accessible restroom is located
here. Viento has a day-use area with easy access to the Columbia
River and some of the best windsurfing in the Gorge. There's a
great picnic area right next to a wonderful babbling creek (just
right for skimming stones and soaking sore feet). A 1-mile trail
from Viento to Starvation Creek takes you along a section of the
Historic Columbia River Highway. Now a hiking trail, there
hasn't been auto traffic here in more than 50 years. If you get
a chance to visit, imagine an old Model-T twisting around the
corners! For information call: (800)551-6949
McIver State Park
Within this little-known gem, you can spend a day or a week
exploring the river, forest and fields. River-lovers can
challenge the sometimes wild (but always picturesque) Clackamas
river with rafts, canoes or kayaks. Preferring to stay dry? You
can hike, or ride a horse (No horse? Rent one at the park).
Still too sweaty for you? Spend a lazy afternoon playing the
18-hole disc golf course. Discs for putting and driving are
available at the park. If you're planning a special gathering,
reservable picnic sites with a shelter are available. If you
just need to get away for awhile, individual and group camp
sites are waiting for you. While staying at McIver during the
summer, we have family-oriented interpretive programs -- from
guided hikes to nature crafts. An annual civil war re-enactment
occurs every April. Over 300 actors participate. As you have
found. McIver State Park offers something for everyone. See you
there! For information call: (800)551-6949
Deschutes River State Recreation Area
The Deschutes River State Recreation Area is a tree-shaded
overnight oasis for campers. The sparkle-laden, swift green rush
of the Deschutes converges with the Columbia here, and there's
no better place for family outing activities like hiking,
biking, swimming, camping, rafting, world-class steelhead and
trout fishing and equestrian trail riding. Spring comes early in
the Deschutes canyon, painting the walls of the canyon green for
a few months each year before heat begins to build in June,
turning the vegetation a golden shade of brown. The canyon is
sheltered and warmer than you might think; the first wildflowers
break from winter's grip in late February. The early season
brings a full fantasia of blooms on the canyon walls through
June. What a great escape from the rainy weather. The Atiyeh
Deschutes River Trail at river level is a favorite jaunt for
hikers on hot summer days. You just can't beat the cool river
and the shade of white alder and birch trees (and while you're
resting, look for the hanging basket-type nests built by the
orioles). The Deschutes, which is both a national and state
scenic waterway, drops about a quarter of a mile in its final
100 miles as it twists through canyons 700 to 2,200 feet deep.
Great for days of fun whitewater rafting, kayaking, and
inner-tubing. Heritage Landing is a popular jetboaters launch.
It provides access to the Deschutes and Columbia Rivers. This is
where river guides meet their clients, families gather to head
out onto the Columbia River for salmon fishing or water skiing,
and everyone collects to share the excitement of their big
catch. Jetboating is allowed on the lower segment of the
Deschutes River all year around except alternating weekends from
June - September; boaters passes are required. The lower two
miles of the Deschutes River is a PASS THROUGH zone for boaters.
This provides fishing access for the many hike-up anglers that
depart from Heritage Landing and use the river trails. For
information call: (800)551-6949
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