State Parks near Bend, OR

Ainsworth State Park in Oregon is located along the banks of the Columbia River, which also forms the state line with Washington. Just a few miles west is the large city of Portland, while directly south is the imposing Mt Hood National Forest.When you book an RV in Marion County, you’re in the perfect location to explore the north-west part of the United States, including one of the countries most famous northerly cities, Seattle.Ainsworth State Park is in the Columbia River Gorge and the area surrounding it is mountainous, with many national forests and state parks to explore in your RV rental. It’s also an easy drive to the Pacific coast for a day …

Laying on the shores of the Columbia River, Beacon Rock State Park is a natural jewel of Washington state. This park is located southeast of Castle Rock and a two-hour drive from Olympia. Beacon Rock State Park is known for an 848-foot basalt volcanic plug recorded by Lewis and Clark in 1805. They passed through this part of Washington on their way to the Pacific Ocean. This area became a state park in 1935 after the Biddle family gave away their land to the state in an attempt to save the Beacon Rock from being destroyed.Today, the 4,464-acre state park is frequented by rock climbers, hikers, and outdoor enthusiasts looking for their next big adventure. Beacon Rock State …

Sitting on the Northern banks of the Columbia River, Columbia Hills State Park is also referred to as Columbia Hills Historical State Park. This 3,338-acre the riverside park encompasses the 90-acre Horsethief Lake, 12 miles of trails and a variety of outdoor recreation. The park is ideal for horseback riding, biking, and rock climbing. The park is located just 14 minutes from Lyle and a few miles from Goldendale. Columbia Hills State Park was established in 2003 by merging Horsethief State Park and Dalles Mountain Ranch.Columbia Hills State Park is a home to Native American Petroglyphs dating back to 1957. These historic petroglyphs and pictographs were salvaged from being submerged in Columbia River Gorge area following the construction …

At 292,000 acre Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area is one of the largest and most popular national scenic areas in America and was designated in 1986. This area gets its name from the 85 miles long, and 4,000 feet deep Columbia River Gorge created when Columbia River cuts through the Cascade Mountains. Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area is a year-round outdoor-recreation attraction located just 30 miles from Portland, OR, and approximately 47 away miles from Troutdale, OR. The scenic area lies along the Washington-Oregon border and extends to six counties.Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area features cliffs, deserts, rain forests, grasslands, rivers, alpine meadows, lakes, wetlands, and native Indian petroglyphs. In addition, this area is …

Crater Lake National Park is located in southern Oregon, around 30 minutes from the small town of Chiloquin and two hours from Eugene. The park’s namesake lake is the deepest in the USA at almost 2,000 feet. Situated in the center of a dormant volcano, Crater Lake is surrounded by rocky cliffs that preserve the water’s purity year after year.The 12,000-foot volcano that once dominated this open landscape left a couple of souvenirs after it erupted over 7,000 years ago. Wizard Island and The Phantom Ship are just some of the volcanic features of the park that keep visitors coming back year after year.However, the lake itself is less than ten percent of the whole national park. …

In the early 1900s, President Theodore (Teddy) Roosevelt visited Oregon, and accounts say, was angered by the state of the wilderness. An avid outdoorsman and hunter, President Roosevelt swiftly moved to declare the Deschutes Mountains a national forest to preserve what was left after intense logging. Deschutes National Forest was officially established in 1908. In the 1930s, Civilian Conservation Corps, operating under President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal program, replanted tens of thousand trees, blazed trails, built shelters and cabins, and paved roads. Thanks to their efforts, Deschutes National Forest remains a premier park to visit even to this day.The closest large town is Bend, which is roughly 25 miles to the northeast. A former logging town, many …

Deschutes River State Recreation Area lies in northern Oregon, on the border with Washington state and near the towns of Wasco, The Dalles, and Hood River. Deschutes River State Recreation Area is created at the confluence of two rivers, Deschutes and Columbia. These two rivers create some of the most fertile ground for both fishing and watersports for those choosing to visit this borderland recreational site.Although only 35 acres, Deschutes River State Recreation Area is favorite of both Oregon and Washington campers, as it is only one of 28 parks with camping available all year round. As well as boating and fishing along the two rivers, the Deschutes River State Recreation Area is also great for …

Tucked away in the Cascade Mountains of Oregon, Detroit Lake State Recreational Park might just be the tranquil motorhome camping retreat you’ve been searching for. This peaceful spot sits along State Highway 22, which stretches between the towns of Salem and Bend, making it easy enough to reach in your RV rental.As you may have guessed from its name, the main feature of the park is the 9-mile Detroit Lake, known for its trout fishing and water sport opportunities. Despite its idyllic surroundings and majestic backdrop of Mount Jefferson, Detroit Lake is, in fact, a man-made reservoir. It was completed in 1953 as part of the Willamette Valley Projects and now provides flood control and power generation for …

Thanks to the mesmerizing views from the Don McGregor Memorial Viewpoint and the serene ambiance of the Upper Deschutes River, LaPine State Park is considered one of the best rural escapes in the state of Oregon. The unique scenic landscape and wilderness, set against the dramatic backdrop of the distant Cascade Mountains, make this park a haven for RVers, hikers, mountaineers, and anglers.With the Deschutes River slowly snaking toward Sunriver, and eagles and red-tailed hawks soaring above the pine forests, the place feels like a Bob Ross painting come to life. Pathways along the riverbanks wander through peaceful grasslands and pine forests, which makes them ideal for a relaxing stroll. This merging of cool mountain rivers and dry desert …

Set against a backdrop of rolling hills on the northern bank of the Columbia River, Maryhill State Park is a beautiful camping spot with a little something for everyone. Located near Goldendale in southern Washington, this 81-acre park is small in size but offers easy access to a wide range of activities and attractions.Fishing, boating, windsurfing, and relaxing are all on offer within the park itself, while a world-famous art museum and scores of wonderful wineries are all just a short drive away. Best of all, Maryhill State Park also has a scenic campground where you can set up camp in an RV for a few nights or more, so it's well worth visiting for anyone exploring the spectacular …

Mayer State Park is located in northern Oregon, close to the Oregon - Washington border and the towns and cities of The Dalles, Hood River, and Rufus. The park sits in the Columbia River Gorge, a massive canyon of the Columbia River. The picturesque riverside location of Mayer State Park makes it one of the best places to escape the concrete jungle of the many Oregon and Washington cities. The park is a natural wonderland perfect for hiking, nature watching, and dog walking.Easy access to the Columbia River means Mayer State Park is also ideal for both fishing and boating. This unfrequented Oregon state park is a fantastic place to set up camp with your RV …