My view on state parks totally changed after a trip to Oregon

I thought state parks were just smaller versions of national parks, so I skipped them. Last month, I checked out Silver Falls State Park on a whim. It was almost empty, and the waterfall loop trail felt like a secret find. Now I'm planning more state park trips, they're such underrated spots.

3 comments

3 Comments

anthony_fox1mo ago

Ever find a state park that felt like YOUR secret?

jordans181mo ago

State parks are like the quiet kids in class who turn out to be the most interesting. You show up expecting nothing and end up with a hidden gem all to yourself. It's a nice change from the circus at more famous spots.

grant521mo agoMost Upvoted

But come on, jordans18, sometimes you show up and it's just a field with a sad picnic table. Not every state park is some life changing secret spot. A lot of them are just fine, a place to stretch your legs. The famous places are crowded for a reason, they're usually way more impressive. I've left more than one state park thinking, well, that was a patch of trees.