If you ask us, Oregon is one of the most beautiful states in the nation, with its lush Pacific Northwest forests and rushing rivers. This means that people flock to a lot of our most popular sites, like Multnomah Falls or Crater Lake National Park. Fortunately, there are quite a few spots where we can go to avoid the crowds and have the peace and quiet that brings us out into nature in the first place. Minam State Recreation Area in Wallowa is a remote state park in Oregon where you can truly relax and take in nature’s beauty. With a roaring river, hiking trails, camp sites, and more, this is easily one of the best state parks in Oregon. It’s perfect for an escape, and you must add it to your list this year.

Minam State Recreation Area rests on the Wallowa River and between the Wallowa Whitman and Umatilla National Forests. There’s a store and a boat launch just off Highway 82, but the best parts take a two-mile hike to get to or you can rent a boat and float your way there.

Some parts of the river are full and rushing which makes for great rafting, while other parts are more shallow and serene and are wonderful for fishing, strolling, and paddling.

The camping area is usually not crowded and is open seasonally from May until the start of November. There are 22 sites available with an ADA-accessible vault toilet, one accessible camping site, access to the river, and several hiking trails nearby. Firewood is sold at the store.

The campsites are beautiful with picnic benches and metal firepits with grill tops, perfect for camp cooking. Come here with your family or just bring your best furry friend along and enjoy the peace and quiet.

A couple of days or more with this view and these trees as my backyard sounds like the perfect place to breathe out the stresses of city life.

A horseshoe game is available for passing the time with your family and friends in this gorgeous remote park.

The hiking trails will lead you to some spectacular views and you’re likely to see some wildlife like deer, elk, bears, Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, and sometimes cougars.

Whether you’re into boating, birding, angling, hiking, paddling, relaxing, or all of the above, Minam State Recreation Area is the perfect place to do so without dealing with crowds.

Have you ever been to this remote state park in Oregon? Do you have any other favorite places to get away from it all? Let us know about them in the comments! If you’re looking for the most remote spot possible, check out Steens Mountain in the Alvord Desert.

https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/oregon/alvord-desert-remote-or/

If you’re going to do some hiking, be sure to download a free trial of AllTrails+ for downloadable maps and trail updates before you head out.