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A nonprofit raising funds to enhance and preserve special places and experiences in Oregon’s parks.

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Smelt Sands State Recreation Site, photo by Granger Meader

June Featured Park: Smelt Sands State Recreation Site

The Smelt Sands at Yachats is a small scenic viewpoint notable for its sunset views and whale-watching opportunities. The beach here is rocky, more than sandy, and caution should be taken here at all times if you venture out to the shore for fishing or tidepool viewing. The surf can be quite spectacular and make for excellent photos. This small park on the coast offers big opportunities in outdoor recreation, from tidepooling, to surf fishing, whale watching, and hiking.

The Yachats 804 trail intersects Smelt Sands State Park and continues north for just over a mile. This short beachside trail is largely wheelchair-accessible and offer excellent views. The 804 trail is a part of the Oregon Coast Trail, and was improved through funding from Oregon Parks Forever in 2013.

Also from Smelt Sands, Ya'Xaik Trail-Gerdemann Preserve Loop Hike will take hikers into the town of Yachats and through the Sitka Spruce forest of the Gerdemann Botanic Preserve. This 2-mile trail is a recent construction, in cooperation with the Siuslaw National Forest.

Nearby beachside camping is available at Tillicum Beach Campground and Beachside State Park. Tillicum is a 60-site RV and tent park 3.5 miles north of Smelt Sands managed by the Siuslaw National Forest. Beachside State Recreation Site, 4 miles to the north, offers a total of 74 camping sites (32 with electrical), and two yurts, plus a hiker/biker camp. Both campgrounds can be reached by hikers via the Oregon Coast Trail.

June is National Get Outdoors Month!

And there are so many reasons to get outdoors in June – starting with our Oregon State Parks Centennial on June 4th! The centennial will be celebrated on State Parks Day, and parking fees at all State Parks will be waived for the day.

Summer is almost here and now is a great time to enjoy the weather and explore areas of the state that have recently re-opened after closures from pandemic restrictions and wildfires. Here are some of the places to add to your summer list:

Clackamas River Corridor – while many of the damaged campgrounds and recreation sites remain closed the highway has reopened and many areas North of 224 are welcoming visitors. Kayakers and canoers are also able to access the river at several points along the route.

Santiam State Forest is also reopening as the forests begin to recover. Some of the popular destinations now open include Rocky Top Trail and the Packsaddle area near Niagra. Other areas are open but restricted to non-motorized vehicles; a full list is online at Oregon Department of Forestry.

Ecola State Park has also reopened in April after a 5-month closure due to weather-related road damage. The park is a popular hiking and surfing spot north of Cannon Beach offering some of the best views of Haystack Rock and the Tillamook lighthouse.

With many areas still recovering from the fires of the past two years, and staffing challenges for parks both on the state and federal level, it is still important to be aware of possible closures. Check resources online for status updates for State, BLM and USGS sites:

Become an Oregon Parks Forever Member!

Your membership supports Oregon’s Parks through funding programs to improve access, provide education, and encourage healthy outdoor activities in Oregon’s parks and natural areas.

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Hiker/ Biker Pod Update

Due to the pandemic, construction of several hiker/biker pods at Oregon State Park campgrounds along the coast was put on hold. However, we are pleased to report at this time that Oregon State Parks has provided a new estimated completion date for three new Hiker/Biker pods by Spring of 2023.

These shelters provide hikers and bikers with a facility to lock up their gear and food, charge electronics and e-bikes, fill their water bottles, and perform minor repairs on their bikes, including inflating tires. Along the Oregon Coast, hiker-biker shelters have been installed at six state parks: Fort Stevens, Devil’s Lake, Cape Blanco, Harris Beach, Cape Lookout, and Nehalem Bay. The three new pods will be located at Honeyman, South Beach and Beverly Beach. Two additional are planned for Beachside and Humbug State Parks.

s the Oregon Coast Trail sees increased use, and more sections of the trail are upgraded and connected, there is a need for facilities to support people along this 400-mile route. Oregon Parks Forever needs members like you to help us continue projects like the Hiker/Biker pods here in our state. Consider making a donation today.

Spring Membership Gift Packs On Sale Now

Get yours before our Spring Gift Pack offer is over! Oregon Parks Forever is excited to introduce a new program combining Oregon park experiences with an Oregon Parks Forever membership. Our Experience Oregon subscription packs make great gifts for the outdoors lover in your life, or for yourself!

Smart Energy & Oregon Parks Forever

Now through the end of July, sign up for NW Natural’s Smart Energy program, and the utility will donate $10 to Oregon Parks Forever! Since 2007, Smart Energy customers have collectively funded over 1.5 million tons of emissions reductions and supported carbon-offset projects across the American West and Alaska.

Through voluntary contributions, NW Natural’s residential and commercial Smart Energy customers help lessen their impact on the environment by offsetting their carbon emissions from their natural gas use. Smart Energy funds are used to support clean energy biogas development, which includes capturing methane gas (a powerful greenhouse gas) to be used as a renewable, regional energy source.

NW Natural works with The Climate Trust to ensure that only verified high-quality offsets are purchased and retired for the Smart Energy program. To learn more about NW Natural’s Low Carbon Pathway visit LessWeCan.com.

In a Landscape Outdoor Concert Series comes to three State Parks in June

Enjoy uplifting music in your favorite State Park this month as pianist Hunter Noack makes his way to Silver Falls State Park on June 8, Cottonwood Canyon on June 19th, and Wallowa Lake on June 22nd and 23rd. Concert attendees are free to wander through the landscape as they listen to the live music via wireless headphones. Concerts are also scheduled for the John Day Fossil Beds, Steens Mountains, and other locations throughout the State. See the full schedule for more information.

More events in Oregon Parks>>

With Sincere Gratitude,

Oregon Parks Forever is a statewide, member-supported nonprofit dedicated to raising funds to enhance and preserve special places and experiences in Oregon's parks. www.orparksforever.org.

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