Planning to explore the amazing outdoors in central Oregon? You’re in luck, because this guide covers some of the best state parks near Redmond, Oregon. Oregon State Parks offer everything from stunning rock climbing to serene lakeside escapes.
Table of Contents
{This post contains affiliate links. I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases made from the links on this site, at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting our family business!}
#1 Smith Rock State Park
Smith Rock State Park is legendary with outdoor lovers, especially if you’re into rock climbing or hiking. Just a short drive from Redmond, this park’s towering basalt cliffs and stunning river views are perfect for a memorable day trip.
Whether you’re scaling the famous Monkey Face rock formation or enjoying a short walk around the rim, Smith Rock feels like a natural playground. Our kids had a great time just exploring at the top the first time we visited!
We highly recommend visiting during golden hour for incredible photos!
Hiking is one of the most popular activities. Miles of hiking trails with levels from easy to difficult means that everyone can enjoy Smith Rock SP.
We took a hike down into the canyon, and loved the different perspective it provided. There are plenty of rock scrabbling opportunities, and almost always some rock climbers to watch.
Birds of prey such as golden eagles and prairie hawks are frequent visitors to this park. Other common Smith Rock SP wildlife sightings may include a mule deer, a river otter or a beaver.
The park has picnic areas and a walk-in bivouac camping area as well (no RV camping). A day use fee is required, and overnight parking is prohibited.
Our kids also had a great time climbing around on the rock wall playground area!
At the visitor center you can learn about the geology, history, and climbing culture that have made Smith Rock world famous.
#2 Redmond Caves Recreation Area
Redmond Caves Recreation Area features a collapsed lava tube that created 5 caves. They’re fun to explore, especially for geology lovers and families who love to scramble over rocks.
The Redmond Caves are a cool, shaded environment perfect for a summer day adventure. They are open year-round, and occasionally guided tours are offered to learn more about the cultural and geological history.
Short trails provide access to the caves, but they are in no way ADA-accessible, since they remain in their natural state. Bring plenty of light, water, strong shoes, and a buddy!
#3 Cline Falls State Scenic Viewpoint
Cline Falls State Scenic Viewpoint is a beautiful day-use park just a few minutes outside of Redmond. It sits along the banks of the Deschutes River, but the Cline Falls cascade lies just outside the park boundary.
We followed the river to the waterfall when we visited, and while the path isn’t smooth, it was manageable. The dramatic basalt cliff scenery fascinated our kids, and we sat for at least 20 minutes just watching the waterfall.
The park offers many riverside picnic spots, as well as clean restrooms and plenty of parking. It’s a favorite local spot for families to picnic, swim and go tubing in warm weather.
The park also provides easy river access for fishing, with largemouth bass, rainbow trout and brown trout in abundance.
#4 Tumalo State Park
Tumalo State Park sits beside the Deschutes River just a 20-minute drive from Redmond. It’s a delightfully cool spot for fishing, picnicking, and even tubing on a hot summer day.
There are plenty of shaded camping spots for tent camping and RVs, as well as yurts that are open year-round. Reservations are highly recommended.
The Day-Use area has lots of shady picnic tables surrounded by junipers, alders, and large ponderosa pines. It’s also a popular fishing spot, with abundant rainbow trout available.
#5 The Cove Palisades State Park
Cove Palisades State Park is a unique landscape of towering volcanic cliffs and deep blue waters.
We’ve camped here twice with our family and each time we were awed by its epic beauty.
Cove Palisades sits along the Crooked River near the town of Culver, not far from Redmond. It’s a fantastic destination for hiking, fishing, and boating with dramatic natural backdrops.
The park’s highlight is Lake Billy Chinook, which was created by the Cove Palisades Dam. There are numerous boat ramps and a well-maintained marina, perfect for day trips or longer visits.
Our kids loved splashing in the swimming areas by the lakeside beaches, or paddle boarding in the water. It’s pretty easy to find an available picnic table by the water to enjoy lunch.
Experienced hikers can tackle trails like the Tam-a-láu Trail or the Crooked River Rim Trail.
For families with kids, there’s also a Junior Ranger Program that will help kids learn about the fascinating natural and historic features.
Camping here is a treat, with spacious sites and excellent amenities. We always make sure to stop by the marina store for one of their ginormous handmade ice cream sandwiches when we visit!
Be sure to check out the famous pictograph from before the river was dammed!
There’s so much to see and do at The Cove Palisades for the whole family.
#6 Benham Falls East Day Use & Trailhead
Benham Falls Day Use and Trailhead provides scenic beauty in an accessible spot within the Deschutes National Forest. It’s around a half-hour from Redmond.
The highlight here is Benham Falls itself, a 25-ft waterfall on the Deschutes River that is easily mistaken for rapids. You can reach the falls by hiking about 3/4 miles through lava flows and ponderosa pine forest.
There are several picnic tables and restrooms at the trailhead. Please follow animal leash law on the trail. Parking can fill up quickly, especially on weekends.
#7 Peter Skene Ogden State Scenic Viewpoint
Peter Skene Ogden State Scenic Viewpoint is perched dizzyingly high above the Crooked River Gorge. A photographer’s dream, this park provides sweeping views across the high desert landscape.
The viewpoint honors Peter Skene Ogden, a famous fur trapper and Hudson’s Bay Company factor, adding a historical touch to its natural beauty.
There’s an older highway bridge that you can walk across for additional perspectives. It’s also a popular spot for bungee jumping.
When I asked AI to summarize this park, here’s one thing it said:“walking here is relaxing and straightforward.” Perhaps that’s true IF you don’t have children or pets!😆
We’ve visited here several times, and there are numerous signs reminding you to watch your kids and pets carefully. We kept our little ones under our direct physical control at all times, and pets should definitely be leashed.
If heights make you nervous, stay well away from the edge. There is a wall all around, but it’s low enough to allow for good views, and thus low enough to induce vertigo. Found this out the hard way! 😓
All told, this park is a great option for a quick outing. We recommend a visit during golden hour to see the sunset paint the cliffs in rich reds and oranges.
#8 Pilot Butte State Scenic Viewpoint
Pilot Butte State Scenic Viewpoint is an extinct volcano located right inside the city of Bend. This 500-ft high cinder cone showcases panoramic views of the Cascade mountains and the city.
Three hiking trails lead to the summit, or you can drive to the summit (depending on the season). The trails pass through high desert ecosystems with interpretive signs to explain the local geology and history.
This highly visible landmark once guided early wagon trail immigrants looking for a safe crossing on the Deschutes River. From the top you can easily see Mt Hood, Mt Jefferson, Three Sisters and Black Butte.
Nowadays, Pilot Butte provides the perfect place to watch the sunrise and sunset.
#9 Shevlin Park
Shevlin Park is well-loved for its extensive network of trails weaving through gorgeous ponderosa pines, sagebrush meadows, and creekside spots. Just outside of Bend (30 minutes from Redmond), this regional park is minimally developed and retains much of its wild beauty.
Tumalo Creek runs through the park, and several of the trails cross or follow the creek. Shevlin Park also has a historical ranch site and a nature center where visitors can learn about local wildlife and plants.
#10 Ochoco Wayside State Park
Ochoco Scenic Viewpoint provides expansive views of the Ochoco Mountains and the eastern Oregon landscape around Prineville.
The viewpoint is family-friendly and accessible with several picnic areas. Interpretive signs around the viewpoint will help you understand what you’re seeing.
We briefly stopped here with our kids around Thanksgiving one year, and all were delighted with the gorgeous vistas. Note that you’ll want to dress for the weather, since the wind shear is intense on cold days!
#11 Prineville Reservoir State Park
Prineville Reservoir State Park lies about 30 minutes east of Redmond and is a scenic spot for boating, fishing, and water sports. With 43 miles of shoreline and dozens of campsites, it’s one of Oregon’s most popular state parks.
The reservoir is stocked with fish like bass and trout, making it a year-round destination for anglers. Winter is the best time for trout fishing, while bass, crappie and catfish are best caught May through October.
The day-use area has a boat ramp as well as a swimming area and fish cleaning station. Other boat ramps are available in various locations.
Besides water activities, the park has numerous hiking trails where you can explore the surrounding area. There’s also a Junior Ranger program that includes special events for kids to explore the park in-depth with a park ranger.
Prineville is also an internationally certified Dark Sky park, and the stargazing is incredible. There are special night sky programs, and a specific permit for stargazing if you only plan to visit for the evening.
#12 Newberry National Volcanic Monument
This is not strictly an Oregon state park, but it’s definitely a can’t-miss spot for nature enthusiasts of all types. Newberry National Volcanic Monument covers more than 54,000 acres, with a huge shield volcano at its heart.
The Newberry Volcano is very active, both seismically and geothermally. There are three main areas to visit: the Lava Lands, Lava Cast Forest, and Newberry Caldera.
Families will want to start at the Lava Lands Visitor Center. Kids can get Junior Ranger booklets there, as well as learn all about volcanoes. Videos, interpretive displays and ranger-led programs are all available here.
From the Visitor Center you can take a shuttle or hike to the Lava Butte Interpretive Site. Lava Butte is a tall cinder cone, and the views from the top are amazing!
Lava River Cave is another must-see, and Oregon’s longest lava tube. During the busy season, reservations are required to take the 1.5 hour self-guided tour of the cave. Be sure to bring extra light sources, and clean shoes (to protect the fragile bat habitat).
The Lava Cast Forest has a fascinating, wheelchair-accessible trail. You’ll see molds of ancient trees that were engulfed by lava flows over 7,000 years ago along the mile-long trail.
The Newberry Caldera includes two beautiful lakes. These are Paulina Lake and East Lake. A quick stop by the Paulina Visitor Center will provide you with current information for the Newberry Caldera and lakes.
You can boat, fish, or swim in both lakes. Several campgrounds and boat ramps provide easy access to these outstanding natural treasures.
You also won’t want to miss the Big Obsidian Flow. It’s a completely unique field of shiny black volcanic glass and pumice. The one mile trail is mostly flat and easy to walk, and occasionally there are ranger talks at the amphitheater.
#13 LaPine State Park
LaPine State Park is a favorite spot near Bend, nestled along the Upper Deschutes River. The beautiful, quiet campground offers a nature lovers a great getaway in the high desert subalpine forest.
LaPine SP is home to “Big Tree,” Oregon’s largest Ponderosa pine, an Oregon Heritage Tree that’s over 500 years old.
The park also has 14 miles of multi-use trails that wind along both sides of the river. It’s perfect for hikers and mountain bikers in warmer months, or for snowshoers and cross-country skiers in winter.
The clean and well-maintained facilities make this a popular destination for camping. Park users love the large private campsites, as well as the cozy cabins (some of which are pet-friendly). Reservations are recommended and open 6 months in advance.
# 14 Ochoco National Forest and Crooked River National Grassland
Ochoco National Forest is a huge area east of Redmond. It features scenic landscapes from lush greenery to epic canyons. It also has deep cultural and geological roots, with several ancient Native American sites here.
Crooked River National Grassland is administered with Ochoco NF. It’s one of the nation’s largest preserved grasslands with an abundance of high desert scenery.
Ochoco and Crooked River offers plenty of outdoor activities including hiking, fishing, hunting, mountain biking, and horseback riding.
Several areas are excellent for day hikes and backpacking, particularly the Maury Mountains and Paulina area. In the winter, the Bandit Springs Sno-Park and Trailhead provides access to various cross-county ski and snowshoe trails.
Horse enthusiasts can corral their animals at the Allen Creek Horse Camp south of the Bridge Creek Wilderness. It’s a beautiful location among ponderosa pines and right next to a stream that feeds into the Allen Creek Reservoir.
Ochoco and Crooked River is also an ideal place for wildlife viewing, with over 375 species. The Paulina area is a popular place for big game hunting during hunting season, especially for elk.
There are so many campgrounds to choose from, but most are rustic in nature. A few campgrounds have RV sites and hookups. For a totally unique experience you can also stay in an old Forest Service Guard Station!
The most popular camping sites in Ochoco National Forest include Sugar Creek, Deep Creek, and Walton Lake. In Crooked River, popular campgrounds include Skull Hollow and Haystack Reservoir Campground.
Further than 1 hour from Redmond
If you’re willing to drive more than an hour from Redmond, there are two epic national park sites worth visiting. Oregon’s only official National Park, Crater Lake National Park, is about 2 hours away from Redmond.
The John Day Fossil Beds National Monument (more commonly known as the Painted Hills) is about 2 hours’ drive as well. Note that there are several units to this monument, so be sure to set your GPS to the one you want!
What parks will you visit?
From rock climbing at Smith Rock, to paddling around Prineville Reservoir, to exploring volcanic lava tubes, there’s adventures for everyone near Redmond.
Worked up an appetite while exploring these incredible natural attractions? Be sure to read our blog post about the best breweries in Redmond to refuel!
You may also enjoy these posts:
- Lakes near Mount Hood
- Agate Beaches on the Oregon Coast
- Guide to Silver Falls State Park
- Oregon National Park sites and Trails
- Things to do in The Dalles
© Copyright Jennifer D. Warren 2025.
