Summary
The park covers over 8,000 acres and is situated along the John Day River. Visitors to the park can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities including hiking, fishing, kayaking, and camping.
One of the main reasons to visit Cottonwood Canyon State Park is to experience the natural beauty of the area. The park features stunning views of the John Day River and the surrounding canyons. Visitors can also explore the park's diverse ecosystem, which includes a variety of wildlife and plant species.
There are several points of interest to see within the park, including the historic Murtha Ranch House, which was built in the 1930s. The park also features several hiking trails, including the Cottonwood Canyon Trail, which offers excellent views of the river and the surrounding canyons.
Interesting facts about the area include that it was once home to Native American tribes who used the area for hunting and gathering. The area was also used for logging and livestock grazing before being turned into a state park.
The best time of year to visit Cottonwood Canyon State Park is during the spring and fall when temperatures are mild and the foliage is at its most colorful. However, visitors can enjoy outdoor activities in the park year-round, with summer being the busiest season.
Overall, Cottonwood Canyon State Park is a must-visit destination for outdoor enthusiasts looking to explore the natural beauty of Oregon.
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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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J47.38R
J47.30R