There are many State Parks all over the Pacific Northwest that are full of beauty and scenery. All within a decent driving distance from my home, Portland, OR. Here I'll talk about my favorite five:
- Silver Falls State Park, Silverton, OR
People call this place the "Crown Jewel" of the Oregon State Parks system and once you've been here you'll understand why. This is my favorite place to explore if I just want to go and walk. Where else can you walk behind a waterfall? Here you'll be able to see what a 177-foot curtain of water looks like from behind. It’s part of the Trail of Ten Falls, a spectacular, nationally recognized hiking trail that weaves through a dense forested landscape. The trail passes a series of breathtaking waterfalls along a rocky canyon, and descends to a winding creek at the forest floor. This nearly 9-mile loop is considered to be a moderate hike, with an overall elevation change of 800 feet. Several connecting trails with separate access points make shorter routes. It's only a short hour and a half drive from Portland. No Pets. Yes, there is camping. I encourage everyone to check this place out.
Go here for more info: http://www.oregonstateparks.org/
Top Things to Check Out While You Are There:
- The Trail of Ten Falls - There are 24 miles of trails in Silver Falls State Park but the big attraction here is The Trail of the Ten Waterfalls. This 8.7 mile trail has been designated a National Recreation Trail for good reason. It not only passes by ten very pretty waterfalls, it goes through a beautiful section of lush temperate rain forest that will leave you falling asleep at night with nothing but green on your mind. Four of the ten waterfalls are quite spectacular and the trail walks you behind them for amazing up close views. It is a classic up and down trail offering a great workout but not one to ruin your day with effort.
- Picnic - The picnic areas are in and around the South Falls day use area, and there are quite a number of different places.
- South Falls Lodge - The South Falls Lodge is one of the only developed areas of the park. It consists of a snack bar, gift shop, information booth, and meeting place. Most of the parking and visitors are located in the area directly surrounding the lodge.
- Olymipic National Park, Port Angeles, WA
With nearly one million acres, Olympic encompasses several distinctly different ecosystems and protects a rich mosaic of natural and cultural history. Untamed rivers flow from glacier-capped peaks through valleys of old-growth forests, waves crash against a shoreline rich with life, and only trails traverse the vast interior of this internationally recognized wilderness. A three hour drive from Portland. Come explore!
For more info: http://www.nps.gov/olym/index.htm
8 must-see Olympic National Park Destinations:
With nearly one million acres, Olympic encompasses several distinctly different ecosystems and protects a rich mosaic of natural and cultural history. Untamed rivers flow from glacier-capped peaks through valleys of old-growth forests, waves crash against a shoreline rich with life, and only trails traverse the vast interior of this internationally recognized wilderness. A three hour drive from Portland. Come explore!
For more info: http://www.nps.gov/olym/index.htm
8 must-see Olympic National Park Destinations:
- Hoh Rain Forest
Always green, and almost always wet, Hoh Rain Forest is at the top of our must-see list. The rain―134 inches annually―goes on vacation in July, August, and September. See a rich spectrum of greens: that deep emerald of licorice fern, the wan olive of hanging club moss, and the turquoise of Sitka spruce needles. One of the best ways to see this verdant brilliance is the Hall of Mosses Trail by the Hoh Rain Forest Visitor Center. - Sol Duc Falls
See the wild beauty of Sol Duc on the 0.8-mile hike to Sol Duc Falls. You'll cross a canyon by bridge for an up-close view of three sheets of white water crashing down into a crevasse of black rock. - Quinault Rain Forest
Some of the world's largest trees―Sitka spruce, Douglas fir, Western red cedar, and Western hemlock―are found here. Visit Quinault's big Sitka spruce, which is 191 feet tall and 1,000 years old. The trails will take you through mossy forests to stunning, venerable arboreal giants. On the Rain Forest Loop Drive, keep your eyes open for Roosevelt elk. - Kalaloch beach
Visit the southern end of the park's 73 miles of coastline for wide, wave-battered beauty. There are numerous beach areas in the marine and wildlife sanctuary including Kalaloch, Beach 1-4 and Ruby Beach. Hike the coast for amazing sights or spend the afternoon bird watching for bald eagles and Western gulls. A good place to spend the night is Kalaloch Lodge, where bluff top cabins sit less than 100 feet from the Pacific. - Lake Crescent
This glacially-carved lake, hidden among the northern foothills of the Olympic Mountains, offers plenty of day activities and stunning natural beauty. Its waters present clear views almost 60 feet deep and are home to the Beardslee and Crescenti trout, two types of fish found nowhere else in the world. Nearby, the short hike to Marymere Falls shows off both the park’s old growth forest and a 90 foot waterfall. - Rialto Beach
One of the most popular and easily accessible Western beaches, Rialto Beach is a wonderfully wild and rugged counterpart to the forests of Olympic. The rocky shores boast giant drift logs, rough waves, and scenic views of 'seastacks.' Visit during low tide to hike to some of the best locations. Hole-in-the-Wall is a sea-carved arch about 1.5 mile north of Rialto Beach and offers camping. - Hurricane Ridge
From Port Angeles, drive south on Hurricane Ridge road for 17 miles. Named for the 75-mile-an-hour winds that can blow here in winter, in summer the Ridge is merely spectacular, offering amazing views of the Olympic Mountains and the Olympic Peninsula coastline. - Lake Quinault
Take a kayak or canoe out onto the lake in the "Valley of the Giants." Or simply enjoy the view of blue water backed by mossy, green trees. Lake Quinault offers a central location for lodging, camping, and plenty of trails to explore the valley's rain forest.
- Redwood National Park, California
Do you want to walk amongst the tallest trees in the world? These giant trees give you perspective on the way the world looked millions of years ago. It is thrilling to stand at the base of one of these famous trees and look it up and down. They are massive and extraordinary. Five and a half hours from Portland. Go explore them for yourself!
More info: www.redwoods.info/
Things to do in Redwood National Park:
- Howland Hill Road - (motorhomes and trailers nor advised): a 10-mile scenic drive through old-growth redwoods, along Mill Creek, with Stout Grove a ½-mile walk through a river bottom grove of tremendous trees.
- Enderts Beach and Crescent Beach Overlook - (trailers not advised): Stand before outstanding Pacific Ocean views from the overlook; you may even see a gray whale! Walk 1-mile to Enderts Beach, an access route to multi-colored, myriad tidepool creatures. Be sure to check low tide times.
- Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway - Not even the Avenue of the Giants can beat this! A 10-mile scenic drive through ancient redwoods. Stop and walk an 1/8 of a mile to Big Tree; you'll see why! Watch for Roosevelt elk grazing in the prairie.
- Kuchel Visitor Center - This is the parks largest visitor center with numerous exhibits, a 12 minute video, and beach access.
- Ecola State Park, Astoria, OR
Ecola State Park wraps around Tillamook Head and features nine miles of Pacific Ocean shoreline. Hikers, whale watchers, surfers and beach-goers flock to the popular park.
The hikes include an 8-mile segment of the Oregon Coast Trail that is also a part of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail. Indian Beach marks the start of the new Clatsop Loop Trail, a 2 ½ mile interpretive trail that gives you the chance to walk on the south side of Tillamook Head. Sightseeing opportunities begin the moment you enter the park. The entrance road meanders through a lush Sitka spruce forest, eventually opening up to a grassy bluff offering breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean. You may recognize the viewpoint south, a scene from many published photographs. Sea stacks punctuate the long sweep of shoreline south, backed by the town of Cannon Beach and ridge of coastal mountains above. A two hour drive from Portland. Go and explore this park for yourself!
More Info: http://www.oregonstateparks.org/index.cfm?do=parkPage.dsp_parkPage&parkId=136
- Beacon Rock State Park, Route 14, WA
Beacon Rock State Park is a 5,100-acre year-round camping park with historic significance dating back hundreds of years. Located in the heart of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, Beacon Rock is the core of an ancient volcano. The mile-long trail to its summit provides outstanding panoramic views of the Columbia River Gorge. The park includes 9,500-feet of freshwater shoreline on the Columbia River. The park has over 20 miles of roads and trails open to hiking, mountain biking and equestrian use. It's an hour away from Portland and about 35 miles away from Vancouver. This place screams adventure!
More info: http://www.parks.wa.gov/474/Beacon-Rock