Alderwood State Wayside
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Alderwood State Wayside is a beautiful park located in Tillamook County, Oregon.
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Summary
The park covers an area of 36 acres and is home to a wide array of beautiful natural features, making it a popular spot for visitors from all over the region.
Some of the best reasons to visit Alderwood State Wayside include its stunning natural beauty, its well-maintained hiking trails, and its abundant wildlife. Visitors to the park can explore the lush forests, wander through the meadows, and take in stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.
One of the key points of interest at Alderwood State Wayside is the park's impressive collection of old-growth trees. These towering giants are among the oldest and largest trees in the region, and they provide a unique glimpse into the area's rich natural history.
Other interesting features at the park include its beautiful picnic areas, its well-maintained campsites, and its many opportunities for wildlife watching. Visitors to the park can spot a wide variety of animals, including deer, elk, and many species of birds.
The best time of year to visit Alderwood State Wayside is in the spring or summer, when the weather is mild and the park is alive with vibrant colors and beautiful blooms. However, the park is also worth visiting in the fall and winter, when the leaves change color and the snow-covered landscape provides a stunning backdrop for winter sports and activities.
Overall, Alderwood State Wayside is a fantastic destination for anyone looking to explore the natural beauty of Oregon. With its stunning scenery, diverse wildlife, and well-maintained facilities, it's easy to see why so many visitors return to this beautiful park year after year.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
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Richardson Park
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Upper Lake Creek
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Hult Pond - Dispersed
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Upper Lake Creek Dispersed Camping
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Alsea Falls Recreation Site
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Richardson Park
Orchard Point Recreationl Area
Ralph Johnson Park
Fern Park
Territorial Park