[OR] Cottonwood Canyon State Park

[BCnomad]

Cottonwood Canyon State Park - Oregon State Parks and Recreation



Stayed here on the drive up from Bend. Not all that hard to find on OR206, despite the warnings on the internet about GPS coordinates. Beautiful park, was a ranch for many years. There are a handful of trails over the 8000+ acres, none of which I took.

Currently, the camping is primitive, with vault toilets and central water spouts (I counted 3, likely more). Note that one can drive up to the water taps, but be aware that 2/3 taps are on the passenger side, not the drivers. Also come with dry waste tanks.

** if coming from the south, be aware that there is no left turn lane into the park. Comfortable turn around spots are about 4 miles north. **

Overall, really like the park. Peaceful and scenic. The firewood is hardwood and there is bark mulch (free) to use as firestarter.

[holo]

We must have just missed you! We were there Monday and Tuesday nights (7th,8th). We really liked the quietness and the scenery. We hiked the trail on the north side of the river. Next time I'd like to bike the trail on the other side. We were also lucky to see a herd of bighorn sheep on the hillside. If the John Day River were lower it's great fishing, too.

[Dave&Kathie]

Beautiful, we've been meaning to get over there - thanks for sharing.

[holo]

I should add that if you are going in the summer be aware that the trees right now are young and provide little shade. While we were there a group of volunteers was building nice, wood shade structures to add to the wind breaks they built in previous years. Beautiful area but they do get sun and wind.