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These are the 20 closest Oregon State Parks to Portland

Amanda Arden

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – You don’t have to travel far to escape the hustle and bustle of the city when you live in Portland. It’s one of the many reasons people love living in Pacific Northwest cities. 

The Columbia River Gorge, the Cascade and Coast ranges, and the Pacific coast are all within a two-hour driver from the city. For an outdoor adventure that’s even closer to home, try checking out one of the many state parks that are less than 25 miles from Portland. 

There are 254 state parks in Oregon. Some of them include steep hiking trails, others are flat areas along rivers and others feature sandy ocean beaches. 

In 2022, Oregon State Parks is conducting its centennial celebration. In 1922, a five-acre land donation became Oregon’s first official state park, eventually growing and becoming Sarah Helmick State Recreation Site. Today, Oregon State Parks occupy more than 100,000 acres. 

Sarah Helmick State Recreation Site will be the location of a community picnic on June 4 to celebrate Oregon State Parks’ 100th anniversary. Oregon State Parks is also offering 100 service projects throughout 2022 to celebrate 100 years. 

Oregon State Parks has other centennial events listed on its online calendar.  

Using Portland City Hall as the starting point, here are the 15 Oregon State Parks and Oregon State Natural Areas closest to Portland: 

Tryon Creek State Natural Area – photo courtesy Oregon State Parks

1. Tryon Creek State Natural Area 

Government Island State Recreation Area – photo courtesy Oregon Parks and Recreation Department

2. Government Island State Recreation Area 

Lewis and Clark State Recreation Site – photo courtesy Oregon Parks and Recreation Department

3. Lewis and Clark State Recreation Site 

Dabney State Recreation Area – photo courtesy Oregon Parks and Recreation Department

4. Dabney State Recreation Area 

Molalla River State Park – photo courtesy Oregon Parks and Recreation Department

5. Molalla River State Park 

Rooster Rock State Park – photo courtesy Oregon Parks and Recreation Department

6. Rooster Rock State Park 

7. Bonnie Lure State Park 

Milo McIver State Park – photo courtesy Oregon Parks and Recreation Department

8. Milo McIver State Park 

Champoeg State Heritage Area – photo courtesy Oregon Parks and Recreation Department

9. Champoeg State Heritage Area 

Shepperd’s Dell State Natural Area – photo courtesy Oregon Parks and Recreation Department

10. Shepperd’s Dell State Natural Area 

Benson State Recreation Area – photo courtesy Oregon Parks and Recreation Department

11. Benson State Recreation Area

Guy W. Talbot State Park – photo courtesy Oregon Parks and Recreation Department

12. Guy W. Talbot State Park 

L.L. Stub Stewart State Park – photo courtesy Oregon Parks and Recreation Department

13. L.L. Stub Stewart State Park 

Ainsworth State Park – photo courtesy Oregon Parks and Recreation Department

14. Ainsworth State Park 

Maud Williamson State Recreation Site – photo courtesy Oregon Parks and Recreation Department

15. Maud Williamson State Recreation Site 

Willamette Mission State Park – photo courtesy Oregon Parks and Recreation Department

16. Willamette Mission State Park 

Erratic Rock State Natural Area – photo courtesy Oregon Parks and Recreation Department

17. Erratic Rock State Natural Site 

State Capitol State Park – photo courtesy Oregon Parks and Recreation Department

18. State Capitol State Park 

Silver Falls State Park – photo courtesy Oregon Parks and Recreation Department

19. Silver Falls State Park 

North Santiam State Recreation Area – photo courtesy Oregon Parks and Recreation Department

20. North Santiam State Recreation Area