Oregon State Parks Day is June 1
It is all free at your Oregon State Parks this weekend. In celebration of Oregon State Parks Day, head to your nearest state park for free admission, camping and fishing. Day-use parking and fees will be free June 1 and 2 at the 25 parks that charge a day-use fee. Free camping is offered on June 1 at all tent, RV, and horse campsites.
For all the details during Oregon State Parks Day, view the sections below.
Camping Details
To guarantee a campsite for State Parks Day, reserve online or call (800) 452-5687 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday – Friday. While campsite rental is free, an $8 non-refundable transaction fee is required at the time of the reservation. Reservations must be made at least 24 hours in advance of your stay. About half of state park campgrounds accept reservations.
Free Events
In total, 11 state parks will host free events on Saturday, June 1. Events include disc golf, living history, outdoor concerts, ranger-led programs and more. For a full list of free events, click here.
Free events near Portland:
Benson State Recreation Area | 9 a.m. – Noon View park map
Family fishing clinic: Learn how to cast a line with park staff and volunteers. Poles and gear will be provided.
Tryon Creek State Natural Area | 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. | Lot near Nature Center View park map
Join the Eco Crew: Join other volunteers to help maintain and improve Tryon Creek! Pick between trail maintenance work or help fight against the spread of invasive species in the park. Gloves and tools provided. Learn more and sign up for the event on the Friends of Tryon Creek website.
Champoeg State Heritage Area | Noon – 3 p.m. | Visitor center View park map
Explore Champoeg: Learn about park history, natural history, bluebirds and more on this self-guided educational tour. Follow the provided map to stations scattered throughout the park. Collect the stamps from each station and return to the visitor center to take your pick of a Champoeg lapel pin or window decal. In the junior ranger program? This activity will cover four of the Junior Ranger requirements to help you earn your badge!
Fort Yamhill State Heritage Area | 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. | Day-use area View park map
Living History Day: Experience the history of the fort and the Willamette Valley first hand! There will be demonstrations of cooking, sewing and firearms, plus special guided tours available on demand. Historically garbed volunteers will share the history of Fort Yamhill from the perspective of the soldiers who lived there, whether upper class officers and their families or enlisted men working and working class civilians.
Silver Falls State Park | 9 a.m. | Day-use areas (runners leave from North Falls lot) View park map
Trail fun run: The Silverton Runners Club, with the help of the Oregon Lottery and Oregon State Parks, is bringing back its signature low-key, family friendly, challenging course run on the trails of Oregon’s most beautiful state park! Run registration is full, however visitors are encouraged to cheer on the runners!
Free Fishing
June 1-2, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and partners are hosting a number of events around the state, including several in or near state parks. Find a free fishing event.
Free fishing near Portland:
- Hagg Lake – Gaston
- Trask River Hatchery – Tillamook
- Gnat Creek Fish Hatchery – Clatskanie
- Lost Lake Resort – Hood River
Park Pins
New this year are limited-edition State Parks Day pins, produced by Oregon Lottery. The free pins will be available at more than two dozen state parks on Saturday, June 1. Ask a park ranger or volunteer at each park how to collect your commemorative pin. Pins supplies are limited, so get there early. Click here for a full list of participating parks.
Park pins near Portland:
- Ainsworth State Park
- Guy W. Talbot State Park
- Champoeg State Heritage Area
- Dexter State Recreation Area
- Elijah Bristow State Park
- Fort Yamhill State Heritage Area
- Silver Falls State Park
- Thompson’s Mills State Heritage Area
Parks Near Portland
Where should you go to enjoy the weekend? Here are the free parks closest to Portland.
Free state parks near Portland:
- Crown Point State Scenic Corridor
- Milo McIver State Park
- Tryon Creek State Natural Area
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