In an effort to support social distancing, the National Park Service is temporarily suspending all national park entrance fees.
While visitor centers, facilities and tours at the national parks are shut down, many have remained open for people to explore. Visitors are urged to abide by CDC guidance when visiting their nearest national parks.
Free entrance will be available until further notice. For updates, check the National Parks Service website.
Where are the closest national parks to Portland? Here’s a list below. Please check the park website before visiting to ensure it is still open.
Lewis and Clark National Historic Park, Astoria
Walk in the footsteps of America’s most famous explorers as you tour a replica of their winter encampment, Fort Clatsop.
John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, Kimberly (always free)
Take a prehistoric trip back in time at the paleontology hotspot of Oregon. From painted hills to towering cliffs, this fossil-rich landscape holds evidence of ecosystems that span 40 million years.
Crater Lake National Park, OR
Nothing is quite as breathtaking as the aftermath of this erupted volcano. See Crater Lake in all its glory as spring arrives in the mountains.
Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve, Cave Junction (always free)
Go down under to admire the Marble Halls of Oregon.
Mount Rainier National Park, WA
Take a short drive up North to visit an active volcano. Take a hike around its many trails of visit one of the five rivers in the area. This mountain also boasts the most glaciated peak in the contiguous U.S.
Olympic National Park, WA
Encompassing nearly a million acres, this park is a sight to see. Explore glacier-capped mountains, old-growth temperate rain forests, and more than 70 miles of wild coastline.
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