Near The Washington-Oregon Border Is A Pacific Northwest State Park With Fishing, Hiking, And River Views

Like the mighty Mississippi River in the Midwest, the Columbia River defines the Pacific Northwest. Cutting between Washington and Oregon, the scenic river passes along miles of incredible cliffs, creating and breathtaking scenery for motorists, hikers, or anglers as it flows toward the Pacific Ocean. One standout and easy-to-access spot to take in the stunning Columbia Gorge is Rooster Rock State Park.

Located less than half an hour east of Portland International Airport (PDX), Rooster Rock State Park is a narrow, 3-mile-long strip of riverside beaches — some of which are clothing optional. The small park is dominated by its namesake, Rooster Rock, an over 120-foot basalt monolith perched along the Columbia at the west end of the park. Rooster Rock has a few short scenic hiking trails, a quiet lagoon, and several beaches for visitors to take in the nearly mile-wide views of the Columbia, as described by William Clark of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. The day-use only park has plenty of amenities for a full day outdoors, whether you'll be fishing, hiking, or taking in the beautiful scenery while having a picnic or playing a few rounds of disc golf.

Rooster Rock State Park is directly beside Interstate 84, which replaced  the United States' oldest scenic route, the Historic Columbia River Highway . Its easy access makes it an easy pit stop for road trippers or Portlanders looking for a break from the city. It's noted to be busiest during the first glimpses of spring and in the summer months and may be crowded if you visit in the afternoon. Other times of year, it's noted to be less crowded. Like at most Oregon State parks, there is a $10 charge per vehicle for Oregonians, and $12 for out-of-state visitors.

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Beaches and hikes for all at Rooster Rock State Park

Can't decide between visiting the beach or a hike? You may want to set your sights on the Oregon Coast's Hobbit Trail.  However, you can also hike to riverside beaches at Rooster Rock State Park. The park's 2.8-mile-long Forest Loop hike begins near the disc golf course on the eastern edge of the park and leads hikers through the rich Oregon forests. It then opens up to beautiful views of Angel's Rest, a towering bluff, and other towering mountains along the Columbia Gorge. Some of the local wildlife that you might see on your walk includes bald eagles and sea lions. Other trails, including the Lagoon Trail, the High Water Trail, and the route to Sand Island, are clothing optional, as are the beaches at the end of the route. Compared to the eastern edges of the park, the beaches along the western end are more developed with covered picnic areas, restrooms, and easier access to parking areas. 

If you're a fishing enthusiast, don't forget to bring your rod and reel to Rooster Rock State Park. During steelhead and salmon seasons, anglers can try their luck to bring home a trophy fish from the Columbia, or can fish for bass in the park's lagoon on a summer day. For boaters or anglers looking to access the river, the park has two paddling areas. However, would-be anglers and boaters should be aware that they'll have to bring their own watercraft, and access depends on local water levels.

Take in the scenes while playing like locals at Rooster Rock State Park

In addition to taking in the scenic views of the Columbia Gorge along the park's trails, visitors to Rooster Rock State Park can also go local and get a feel for the park's natural setting by partaking in local pastimes. Oregon is a haven for disc golf, and Rooster Rock's two disc golf courses showcase access to the sport and both halves of the park. The course on the western part of the park is noted to be easier, while the east course has been known to gobble up discs. Also, note that the first few holes along the east course are off the path toward the park's clothing-optional beaches. You may want to bring an extra disc or two as the park is frequently windy for much of the year. 

While disc golfers may curse the winds, experienced windsurfers flock to Rooster Rock State Park to brave the cold waters and barreling wind gusts in late fall and early winter. Wind speeds normally get up to 50 miles an hour — or even nearly double that. A recommended area to watch is from near the parking area at the western end of the park, near the lagoon. If you do plan to windsurf, you'll need to bring your own gear. 

While camping is another popular activity in Oregon, it's not allowed at Rooster Rock. If you're looking for a spot to camp out in the area, it's recommended to visit nearby Ainsworth State Park, about 10 miles east. Rooster Rock isn't the only natural gem that's a stone's throw from Portland. While you're in the area, don't miss checking out some of these other gorgeous state parks that make a fantastic day trip from downtown.

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Read the original article on Islands .