Located in the high desert of central Oregon, the beautiful Smith Rock State Park is full of epic rock formations, sparkling rivers, and jaw-dropping views. The sheer cliffs are perfect for rock climbing, and the hiking trails will take you on unforgettable adventures. Smith Rock State Park is an absolute wonder to behold.
Oregon is home to more than 100 state parks, each and every one of them unique and worth visiting. Whether you’re in the mood for epic waterfall chasing, lakeside camping, a scenic coastal hike, or a fascinating history lesson, you’ll find it all — and more — at our Oregon State Parks. However, some spots tend to get a bit more attention than others, as is the case with today’s feature destination. Catherine Creek State Park in Union is a spectacularly scenic, little known Oregon State Park that’s peak Beaver State beauty, and sure to capture your heart. It’s one of the best state parks in OR and we bet you'll fall in love with it too.
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This scenic slice of Beaver State paradise is Catherine Creek State Park, a little-known Oregon State Park located in North-Eastern Oregon, just east of I-84.
The park's centerpiece is, of course, Catherine Creek, a picturesque natural feature that got its name from Catherine Godley, a settler in the area in the late 1800s.
In the summer, it's a marvelous place for creek stomping!
Catherine Creek State Park is nestled in the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, and it's surrounded by big, beautiful Ponderosa pines. Take a stroll along the three-mile-long footpath that winds through the campground and picnic area, and you'll be transported to a scene straight out of a Tolkien tale.
During the spring and summer, Catherine Creek State Park dazzles in all the colors of the rainbow, with winsome wildflowers blooming in perfect synchronous harmony.
This little known Oregon State Park really is a perfect day trip adventure in the Beaver State, offering visitors amenities like large picnic tables, horseshoe pits, and lovely campsites.
Dogs are welcome here, too, provided they remain on leash.
You'll definitely want to spend the night at the campground here, where the sites are primitive, but the restrooms offer flush toilets. The scenic beauty is pretty much all around you.
But that's okay, because when you visit this hidden gem, you might just have it all to yourself!
Have you visited this little-known Oregon State Park before? Don't you agree that Catherine Creek State Park is a glorious Oregon treasure that should be explored? Tell us below!
One of the best things about living in Oregon is that no matter where you live, you’re likely to be surrounded by natural wonders you can explore any time you like - and they serve as fantastic Oregon day trip ideas! There are a few spots in this lovely state that are well worth driving across the state to see and Cape Blanco, Oregon, one of the natural wonders in Oregon that is truly worth taking a day trip to visit.
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Cape Blanco is an utterly stunning little outcropping of cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Featuring a beautiful lighthouse and the Historic Hughes house, the cape itself is a natural wonder. There is a quarter-mile walk from the parking area to the lighthouse.
We think you’ll agree that it’s worth the walk to see this lovely lighthouse up close. Built in 1870, it’s the oldest standing lighthouse on the Oregon Coast and it is quite a sight. It stands 59 feet tall.
It’s worth walking just a little bit more to the cliffs to see the breathtaking views overlooking the ocean with rock outcroppings and crashing waves. This place is truly a natural wonder in and of itself.
Hiking and horse trails surround the cape, some of which lead right down to the beach. The equestrian trails also feature a nearby set of 12 pipe corrals for first-come, first-serve use.
A short drive from the lighthouse will take you to the Historic Hughes House which was built by ranchers Patrick and Jane Hughes in 1898. The home and the lighthouse are on the National Register of Historic Places and tours are available to see all the Victorian furnishings and decor within.
If you drove all this way, you may as well camp and stay the night to soak in as much of the majestic beauty of this place as you can. There are 52 electrical sites with water, four cabins, horse camping, group camping, hiker/biker camping, restrooms with hot showers, accessible sites, and firewood for sale.
Have you ever taken a trip to visit Cape Blanco, one of the amazing natural wonders in Oregon? Let us know all about your experience in the comments. You might as well book a stay in the charming nearby town of Port Orford today to enjoy the area and its astounding views.
