9 Beautiful Oregon State Parks To Visit
Feb.27.2021
Known for its dramatic shoreline, Oregon is home to some of the most beautiful state parks in the nation. While many of them line the 363 miles of the stateâs rugged coastline, others highlight wild rivers and gorges, dense forests, and sheer cliffs, all parts of the natural wonders of the state. Youâll find them in every corner of the state, from the Cascade Mountains to the Columbia River Gorge, and in the high desert, but predominantly on the incomparable Oregon coast.
Given the overwhelming number of state parks here, one in a more exquisite setting than the next, it is hard to choose only a few to highlight. Based on my personal favorites from my travels through the state and recommendations from Travel Oregon, here are nine Oregon state parks worth a visit for their unparalleled beauty.
Reedsport to Brookings, places to stay; winter deals
It was way back on December 1 of 1952 that a local newspaper ran the headline of “Twice Buried Whale Returns to Depoe Bay.” This was almost two decades before the infamous “Exploding Whale” in Florence, and even back in the ‘50s the thing to do was to bury the beast, which they did the first time way back in April of that year.
Adding an extra curiosity to the article is the term “excessively dead” to describe the state of this 40-foot returning cetacean, quite possibly in the same jesting manner as this article. The “mass of blubber” as they called it found its way to some beach in the Depoe Bay area, although it doesn t say which. Depoe Bay is largely rocky cliffs around for miles, so it s possible they re talking about Fogarty to the north, Lincoln Beach, Whale Cove, or maybe way down at Beverly Beach next to Devil s Punchbowl.
The 7 best beaches near Portland, Oregon
Lonely Planet Editors
16 February 2021
Positioned at the confluence of two major rivers and under two hours from Oregon s dramatic Pacific coastline, Portland, Oregon is actually quite the beach town. From sandy spots perfect for sunbathing to surf breaks to scenic sea stacks that have attracted cinematographers and Instagramers alike, there s a little something for everyone.
When the sun is out and the mood strikes, don t waste daylight figuring out where to go. We narrowed it down to 7 of the best beaches near Portland, Oregon.
Editor s note: during COVID-19, there are restrictions on travel, and some of these free attractions may be temporarily closed or require pre-booking. Always check before departure, and be sure to follow local health guidance.
Tucked away in Cannon Beach, a quiet hike meanders through old-growth forest By Jamie Hale, oregonlive.com
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5 Photos The 1,040-acre Ecola Creek Forest Reserve contains a small segment of old-growth coastal rainforest, Photo Gallery
If you made a list of the best natural attractions in and around Cannon Beach, you’d have to get pretty far down before mentioning the Ecola Creek Forest Reserve.
That’s no knock against the 1,040-acre reserve, a place of quiet beauty in the forests east of town, it’s just that when it comes to natural attractions on this stretch of the north Oregon coast, there happens to be a lot of competition.