Explore Oregon's High Desert At This Underrated State Park
By Sarah McCosham|Published July 06, 2022
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Sarah McCosham
Author
I write like it's my job - because it is! I have a Master's in English and love words: crossword puzzles, Scrabble games, Wordle, and, of course, good, old-fashioned books.
I'm a writer and editor at OnlyInYourState, and a contributing writer at Cincinnati Magazine. I love the Great Outdoors and am endlessly awestruck by this beautiful country of ours. Coffee keeps me going, yoga keeps me sane, my kids keep me grounded, and my writing keeps me inspired.
All deserts are not created equally. The dry, barren, beige wastelands that folks typically associate with a desert are nothing like what you’ll find in Central Oregon. Waterfalls, canyons, wildlife, and verdant greenery, this is the High Desert of Central Oregon. And in the heart of it all, there is an underrated state park that’s absolutely, breathtakingly beautiful. Explore the High Desert at Cottonwood Canyon State Park, an underrated Oregon State Park sure to sweep you off your feet.
Located between Wasco and Condon, Cottonwood Canyon State Park is one of Oregon's newest and largest parks. This remote and underrated region in Oregon’s High Desert is home to sweeping rock formations, picture-perfect views of the John Day River, and miles upon miles of peaceful wilderness that's teeming with wildlife.
This gentle, 4.3-mile hike (or walk, really) starts at the campground and parallels the stunning John Day River. It's beautiful all year round, but especially gorgeous during the clear, cold skies and budding greenery of spring!
The park also offers a glimpse into Oregon's pioneer, ranching, and farming past. Visitors can take a self-guided interpretative walk around preserved ranch buildings, including the original cow barn, which is about as rustic and charming as it gets.
Cottonwood Canyon State Park boasts amazing cliffs and canyons, epic vistas, and a rugged beauty that can only be found in Oregon's high desert region.
If you're looking for a true escape in Oregon nature, there's no better place to visit than this little-known state park in the sublimely scenic High Desert.
Have you been to this Oregon State Park in the High Desert region of the state? What a beautiful gem! For another underrated state park in Oregon, check out Valley of the Rogue State Park.
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