Bonnie Lure State Recreation Area
Rate this placeNearby: Timber Park Milo Mciver State Park
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
Bonnie Lure State Recreation Area is a beautiful park located in Oregon, United States.
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Summary
It is situated on the banks of the Sandy River, and it is a great place to visit for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.
One of the main reasons to visit Bonnie Lure State Recreation Area is for its stunning scenery. The park offers panoramic views of the Sandy River and the surrounding mountains, making it a great spot for hiking, picnicking, and fishing.
Visitors can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities in the park, such as hiking, biking, kayaking, and fishing. The park has several trails that offer breathtaking views of the river and the forest, and visitors can also enjoy water activities such as swimming, fishing, and boating.
In addition, the park has several historical sites and points of interest, such as the old fish hatchery and the historic Bonneville Trail. Visitors can also learn about the history of the area and its native wildlife at the park's interpretive center.
Some interesting facts about Bonnie Lure State Recreation Area include that it was named after Bonnie Lure, the daughter of a prominent local businessman who was instrumental in the development of the park. The park is also home to a variety of wildlife, including salmon, steelhead, and bald eagles.
The best time of year to visit Bonnie Lure State Recreation Area is in the summer and fall when the weather is mild, and the foliage is at its peak. However, visitors can also enjoy the park's winter activities, such as snowshoeing and cross-country skiing, during the colder months.
Overall, Bonnie Lure State Recreation Area is a beautiful and scenic park that offers a variety of outdoor activities and historical sites for visitors to enjoy.
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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
Area Campgrounds
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|---|---|---|
Barton Park
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Barton Park Camping
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Kingfisher Group Camp
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McIver State Park
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Chinook Group Camp
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Hiker/Biker sites
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Timber Park
Milo McIver State Park
Eagle Fern Park
Pidgeon Park
Lyons View Park