Cottonwood Canyon is Oregon’s Newest State Park

Whether you are interested in hiking, kayaking, fishing for steelhead or small mouth bass, or if you’re just looking to get

off the grid and out into nature, Cottonwood Canyon State Park has what you’re looking for. Cottonwood Canyon is

Oregon’s newest state park, opening in 2013, and is also Oregon’s second largest state park, offering up over 8,000

acres of breathtaking landscape situated along the John Day river. The park is located on Highway 206 between the

towns of Condon and Wasco, just over two hours southeast of Portland. Because the park is new, online mapping

services may not show the park name or location.

The Lone Tree Campground offers

• 21 primitive sites for tents and self-contained RV’s (max site size is 75 feet). Available first-come, first-served. (The nearest dump station is approx 30 min away)
• Group tent camp for up to 25 people.
• Potable water.
• Vault toilets.
• Hiker/Biker camp with 7 sites.                                                                                                                                                                                                        

 

According to the website, www.oregonstateparks.org, “The Pinnacles Trail and the Lost Corral Trail, each 4.3 miles one way, follow either side of the John Day River

downstream. The Lost Corral Trail, leaving from JS Burres day-use area, is open to both hikers, bikers and equestrians. The Pinnacles Trail, leaving from the end of the

campground, is open to bikers and hikers.

Upstream, the Hard Stone Trail travels 1.5 miles one way and open to foot traffic only. Or, you can strike out on your own along old, unmaintained ranching roads that

lead into the back country. The J.S. Burres day-use area is a popular boat launch for rafts, kayaks, canoes and drift boats.

If you’re an angler, the John Day River has steelhead, catfish, carp and smallmouth bass. As an added bonus, there’s another 10,000 acres of public land surrounding

the park managed by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management.”

The website suggests that for your own safety  you  carry potable water, have a plan for your day, and be sure to let someone know about your plans as there is no cell

phone coverage anywhere in the park. You can click here for answers to other frequently asked questions.