Summary
Harris State Recreation Site, located near the Alsea River in Oregon, is a small, serene day-use area known for its riverside access, scenic picnicking, and peaceful natural setting. While not a major tourist destination, it offers a quiet retreat with opportunities for fishing, birdwatching, and wildlife viewing, especially waterfowl and river species. The site is open year-round with no entry fees. Its simplicity and low traffic make it ideal for a relaxing stop or picnic. Best visited in spring or summer, it’s a hidden gem for those seeking tranquility amid Oregon’s lush coastal forest surroundings.
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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
| Location | Reservations | Toilets |
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McKenzie Bridge Campground
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Horse Creek Group Campground
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Limberlost Campground
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Mona Campground
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Delta Campground
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Olallie Campground
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