4A ❚ WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14, 2018 ❚ APPEAL TRIBUNE
Life in the Valley
Sweet, sweet solitude
Jackson F. Kimball State Recreation Site, Oregon’s least-visited state park, is located north of Klamath Falls at the headwaters of the Wood River.
PHOTO BY OPRD
Oregon’s 10 least-visited state
parks sport scenery, not crowds
Zach Urness Salem Statesman Journal
USA TODAY NETWORK
There were around 50 million
visits to Oregon’s state parks in
2017.
That’s a huge number, and some
of the parks feel more like small cit-
ies than a place to experience na-
ture.
On the flip side, Oregon’s least
visited state parks are a different
story. Located throughout the
state, these little-known gems ac-
tually feature some spectacular
scenery, in addition to the lack of
crowds.
Here’s a list of Oregon’s 10 least-
visited state parks.
Jackson F. Kimball State
Recreation Site (2,946 visits)
Oregon’s least-visited state park
is north of Klamath Falls at the
headwaters of the Wood River.
The small campground and day-
use area is a charmer, with good
fishing that can be accessed from
the park by canoe.
“This stream flows from the
pine forest into open meadow land
laced with picturesque quaking as-
pen surrounded by the southern
Cascade Mountains,” says the Ore-
gon Parks and Recreation Depart-
ment description.
Catherine Creek State Park
(8,546)
Located in Eastern Oregon
southeast of La Grande, this day-
use spot and campground sits
along Catherine Creek.
“Tranquil, crystal-clear waters
and towering ponderosa pines
frame the landscape,” says the
OPRD description. “Cradled in a
canyon created by the creek, the
park provides visitors a cool, quiet
and peaceful setting for outdoor
activities.
“Camp in the campground next
to Catherine Creek and enjoy the
thrill of landing a rainbow trout or
simply cool your heels in its icy wa-
ters.”
OC&E Woods Line State Trail
(13,099)
A 109-mile trail created from a
former railroad line takes bike rid-
ers, joggers or any other non-mo-
torized form of recreation from
Klamath Falls through Bly and to
the Sycan Marsh.
The pathway has four different
sections highlighted by sections
along the Sprague River.
Booth State Scenic Corridor
(13,460)
A small pullout on the side of
U.S. Highway 140, west of Lake-
view in southeast Oregon, this sce-
nic spot features a nice spot for a
picnic.
The site features old-growth
ponderosa pine, picnic tables,
drinking water and restrooms. The
area, known as Drews Gap, is espe-
cially colorful in the fall thanks to
stands of quaking aspen.
Geisel Monument State
Heritage Site (14,774)
Golden Falls throws mist at Golden and Silver Falls State Natural Area
east of Coos Bay. ZACH URNESS/STATESMAN JOURNAL
This small monument on the
Oregon Coast, near Cape Perpetua,
showcases the gravesite of the Gei-
sel family, who died during the
Rogue Indian War.
Today it’s a quiet forested area
along U.S. Highway 101.
Golden and Silver Falls State
Park (18,226)
Two of the most spectacular
waterfalls in Oregon can be found
at this small, off-the-beaten-path
state park east of Coos Bay.
Three short hikes take you to the
two waterfalls (often confused
with Silver Falls State Park, ironi-
cally one of the state’s most pop-
ular state parks).
Golden Falls roars into a box
canyon with so much ferocity it
kicks up mist that plumes upward
like smoke from a wildfire. Silver
Falls, in contrast, spools off a
rounded dome like gray hair falling
off a balding head.
OC&E Woods Line State Trail is a 109-mile trail that was created from a
former railroad line. PHOTO COURTESY OF OPRD
Ukiah-Dale Forest State
Scenic Corridor (20,422)
This scenic stretch along the
North Fork John Day River and
Camas Creek offers camping and
fishing south of Pendleton and
north of John Day.
“Winding through a stately pon-
derosa pine, Douglas-fir and west-
ern larch forest, the corridor pro-
vides a pleasant scenic drive and
access to a popular fishing spot.
Near Ukiah, amidst old-growth
pines and larch, the Ukiah-Dale
Campground provides a perfect lo-
cation to stay and relax next to the
soothing waters of Camas Creek,”
says an OPRD description.
Goose Lake State Recreation
Area (21,224)
A campground on a large lake,
on the border of Oregon and
California, Goose Lake is a green
and shady destination for wildlife
and wildlife watchers.
The area is home to numerous
species of birds and other wildlife
including mule deer.
The park has hot showers, a
grassy area suitable for tents,
paved sites, shade trees, fireplaces,
electrical hookups, telephone and
a dump station.
Red Bridge State Wayside features camping, swimming and fishing
below ponderosa and cottonwood trees. PHOTO COURTESY OF OPRD
Red Bridge State Wayside
(21,428)
Nestled on the banks of the
Grande Ronde River west of La
Grande, Red Bridge State Wayside
features camping, swimming and
fishing below ponderosa and cot-
tonwood trees.
The park is along Highway 244
and becomes a quiet place in the
evenings. According to an OPRD
description: “Enjoy a day of fishing
or cool off in the gentle waters of
the river.”
Bates State Park (21,724)
Another hidden gem of a camp-
ground in Eastern Oregon, Bates
State Park features hiking, camp-
ing and fishing in the Blue Moun-
tains.
Here’s the description from
OPRD:
“Bates State Park was once the
site of a thriving lumber mill and an
adjacent company town set in a
lush valley in the Blue Mountains.
The mill closed in the mid-1970s.
The mill buildings and town were
dismantled; the land sat empty for
more than 35 years.
“The memory of Bates lives on
in many of its community mem-
bers, and the site is now a state
park, thanks in large part to their
efforts. When you visit or stay at
the park, look for the interpretive
panels that describe Bates life in
the early- to mid- 20th century and
the steps taking place now to re-
store the land and waterways.
“You can explore Bates on the
more than 3 miles of hiking trails.
Viewpoints along the trails over-
look the park, old mill pond and
valley. The 131-acre park lies along
the Middle Fork John Day River,
Bridge Creek and Clear Creek.
Check the Oregon Department
Fish & Wildlife website for fishing
regulations.”