What to do and see in Oregon, United States: The Best State Parks

June 26, 2021 Enedina Augsburger

Discover the best top things to do in Oregon, United States including Shore Acres State Park, Oswald West State Park, Face Rock State Scenic Viewpoint, Smith Rock State Park, Ecola State Park, Cape Arago State Park, Cape Perpetua Scenic Area, Cape Sebastian State Scenic Corridor, Hug Point State Park, Cape Lookout State Park.
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1. Shore Acres State Park

89428 Cape Arago Hwy, Coos Bay, OR 97420 +1 541-888-3732 http://www.oregonstateparks.org/index.cfm?do=parkPage.dsp_parkPage&parkId=68
Excellent
88%
Good
11%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 816 reviews

Shore Acres State Park

The park has created a "garden for all seasons" and an observation building which offers spectacular views of seascapes and migrating whales.

Reviewed By 928brendaz

I went to see the sunset at Shore acres and experienced a bonus of a spectacular Christmas light display. So glad I stumbled into it.

2. Oswald West State Park

Cannon Beach, OR 97130 +1 800-551-6949 http://www.oregonstateparks.org/park_195.php
Excellent
82%
Good
16%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 343 reviews

Oswald West State Park

Scenic state park encompassing nearly 2,500 acres of mostly undeveloped land, which is ideal for a variety of outdoor recreation including surfing, kayaking, bird watching, hiking and camping.

Reviewed By wohdonkey - Newark, United States

We stopped here along Highway 101 on our way to Cannon Beach. You can get some great photos from the scenic lookout. We also went to the Devil’s Cauldron which was really worth seeing and just a short hike to get to.

3. Face Rock State Scenic Viewpoint

Off US 101, 1 Mile South of Bandon, Bandon, OR +1 800-551-6949 http://www.oregonstateparks.org/park_66.php
Excellent
84%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 774 reviews

Face Rock State Scenic Viewpoint

This scenic coastal spot features a large rock with face-like features.

Reviewed By babydoctoral - Parkland, United States

Face Rock State Park has a myriad of beautiful sea stacks that make for exceptional photography in the right lighting conditions. Face Rock itself is not all that interesting on its own, but the large number of beautiful sea stacks are simply terrific. Definitely worth a stop if you are near Bandon Beach,

4. Smith Rock State Park

Highway 97 9 Mi. North, Redmond, OR 97760-9721 +1 800-551-6949 http://oregonstateparks.org/index.cfm
Excellent
87%
Good
12%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1,086 reviews

Smith Rock State Park

Reviewed By wonderland62 - Hillsboro, United States

I don't know what is more impressive - views of nature or watching rock climbers scale cliff walls! Bring water and you can have your pick of different trails (difficulty scale is accurate).

5. Ecola State Park

Off Hwy. 101, Cannon Beach, OR +1 503-436-2844 http://www.oregonstateparks.org/park_188.php
Excellent
80%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1,827 reviews

Ecola State Park

Reviewed By TrailsExplorer

This is a wonderful area to get a taste of the Oregon Coast with some great mountain hikes to view from above and beach hikes to observe the sea stacks.

6. Cape Arago State Park

Coos Bay, OR +1 800-551-6949 http://www.oregonstateparks.org/park_94.php
Excellent
77%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 344 reviews

Cape Arago State Park

Reviewed By OregonTopaz

This park takes awhile to reveal its treasures. The views are spectacular, often times with whales spouting. Above the south cove there is a plaque commemorating Sir Francis Drake's presence in the area. There is also excellent tidepooling at low tide in the south cove. The north cove can at times offer up close views of barking sea lions. Further on that trail, when not closed due to seal pups, there are excellent sea level views of the sandy island where many sea lions congregate. The tide makes a difference in the coves, so check before visiting.

7. Cape Perpetua Scenic Area

2400 Highway 101 N, Yachats, OR 97498-9424 +1 541-547-3289 http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/siuslaw/recarea/?recid=42265
Excellent
88%
Good
11%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1,161 reviews

Cape Perpetua Scenic Area

Reviewed By YvonneP1979

My family and I are lucky enough to call this area home! Cape Perpetua is a regular stop for family or solo day trips. This area is majestic to say the least and there is so much to explore in just a few miles. Go to the top and view the most Amazing view from the historic look out or hike down to a giant spruce tree through a magical forest, check out the Spouting Horn on high tide or venture down to Thors Well on a low tide (high tide can be very dangerous to get close)! Walk along the trails and stand in awe of the Native American shell Middens leftover from hundreds of years of gathering from the ocean!

8. Cape Sebastian State Scenic Corridor

US 101, 7 mi. S of Gold Beach, OR +1 800-551-6949 http://www.oregonstateparks.org/park_73.php
Excellent
81%
Good
19%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 31 reviews

Cape Sebastian State Scenic Corridor

Reviewed By TzuNewz - Gold Beach, United States

There is an upper level and a lower level, the lower part has a path you can follow down for some amazing sights. Be careful with small children as there are places that have drop offs, or such. It is a great place to bring children as it is a path and there are several things to see. The risky part to avoid is do not lean over and look. If you have a selfie stick you can use it to see over the edge. Keep safe. The photos you can get through out this walk/hike are amazing.

9. Hug Point State Park

Highway 101, Cannon Beach, OR +1 503-986-0707 http://www.oregonstateparks.org/index.cfm
Excellent
78%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 507 reviews

Hug Point State Park

Reviewed By Brookecn - Denver, United States

Great stop while driving South on 101 from Cannon Beach. The tide was low so we got to walk out on the sand and checkout tide pools and see some anemones, and walk right up to a small waterfall on the beach.

10. Cape Lookout State Park

13000 Whiskey Creek Rd US 101 to Three Capes Scenic Drive Oceanside, Tillamook, OR 97141-9499 +1 800-551-6949 http://oregonstateparks.org/index.cfm?do=parkPage.dsp_parkPage&parkId=134
Excellent
68%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 370 reviews

Cape Lookout State Park

Coastal park offering opportunities for whale watching.

Reviewed By Jcwill5 - McMinnville, United States

My son and I camped for three nights and were super pleased with our experience here. We did the long beach walk north to the end of the sand spit, the shorter beach walk south to the caves and tide pools, and took the long hike up to the cape lookout trail head and then out to the cape (9.4 miles round-trip). Our tent camping site was clean, well laid out, and offered running water, a picnic table, and fire ring. We were graced with bright sunny days and a clear night for star gazing on the beach. This is a real gem of a park, and they have a really fine day use area, too, for one day visitors. We highly recommend it!

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