Ray Johnson Park
Rate this placeNearby: Pollack Memorial Field Kalama Park
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
Ray Johnson State Park is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts in Oregon.
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Summary
It is located on the Oregon coast and offers visitors a wide range of activities such as hiking, camping, and bird watching. The park is named after Ray Johnson, a former state senator who worked tirelessly to protect the area's natural resources.
Visitors to the park can explore the many hiking trails that wind through the forested hills and offer stunning ocean views. There are also several campsites available for those who want to spend the night under the stars. The park is home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, elk, and a wide variety of birds.
One of the most popular attractions in Ray Johnson State Park is the Cape Perpetua Scenic Area. This area is home to several natural landmarks, including the Thor's Well, Devil's Churn, and Spouting Horn. The area is also known for its stunning views of the ocean and rugged coastline.
The best time to visit Ray Johnson State Park is in the summer months, when the weather is mild and the park is bustling with activity. However, visitors should be prepared for crowds during peak season. The park is open year-round, and many visitors enjoy the peace and quiet of the off-season months.
In summary, Ray Johnson State Park offers visitors a wide range of activities and attractions, including hiking, camping, and scenic views of the Oregon coast. The park is named after a former state senator who fought to protect the area's natural resources. The Cape Perpetua Scenic Area is a popular attraction within the park, offering visitors stunning views of the ocean and natural landmarks such as Thor's Well. The best time to visit the park is during the summer months, but visitors can enjoy the park's beauty year-round.
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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.
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