The Most Remote State Park In Oregon Is The Perfect Place To Escape
By Will Suphan|Published August 15, 2023
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Will Suphan
Author
Will has been living in Arizona off and on for 30+ years in the Phoenix Metro and Tucson areas. He has traveled all over the state as well as having lived all over the Southwest. He's been writing for OnlyInYourState for one year and has previously written for Digital Journal. Will has a passion for travel and writing and combining the two is what he loves most. He loves solo international travel and has been to Thailand, France, Japan, and Cambodia.
Oregon is well-known for being one of the most beautiful states in the nation with lush Pacific Northwest forests and rushing rivers. This means that people flock to a lot of the more popular sites like Multnomah Fallsor Crater Lake National Park. Fortunately, there are quite a few spots where you can avoid the crowds and have the peace and quiet for which you go into nature in the first place. Minam State Recreation Area is a remote state park in Oregon where you can truly relax and take in nature’s beauty.
Minam State Recreation Area rests on the Wallowa River and between the Wallowa Whitman and Umatilla National Forests. There’s a store and a boat launch just off Highway 82, but the best parts take a two-mile hike to get to or you can rent a boat and float your way there.
Some parts of the river are full and rushing which makes for great rafting, while other parts are more shallow and serene and are wonderful for fishing, strolling, and paddling.
The camping area is usually not crowded and is open seasonally from May until the start of November. There are 22 sites available with an ADA-accessible vault toilet, one accessible camping site, access to the river, and several hiking trails nearby. Firewood is sold at the store.
The campsites are beautiful with picnic benches and metal firepits with grill tops, perfect for camp cooking. Come here with your family or just bring your best furry friend along and enjoy the peace and quiet.
The hiking trails will lead you to some spectacular views and you’re likely to see some wildlife like deer, elk, bears, Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, and sometimes cougars.
Whether you’re into boating, birding, angling, hiking, paddling, relaxing, or all of the above, Minam State Recreation Area is the perfect place to do so without dealing with crowds.
Have you ever been to this remote state park in Oregon? Do you have any other favorite places to get away from it all? Let us know about them in the comments! If you’re looking for the most remote spot possible, check out Steens Mountain in the Alvord Desert. If you’re going to do some hiking, be sure to check with AllTrails for any closures or updates before you head out.
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