"Saddle Mountain Trail in OR" by Jeff Hollett , public domain
Saddle Mountain
State Natural Area - Oregon
Saddle Mountain State Natural Area is located in the Northern Oregon Coast Range in central Clatsop County, about 20 miles (32 km) by road from Seaside. A 2.5-mile (4.0 km) long hiking trail climbs to the top of Saddle Mountain, which is located in the park. On clear days, the Pacific Ocean, Columbia River mouth and several of the Cascade mountains in Washington and Oregon can be seen from the summit.
Motor Vehicle Travel Map (MVTM) of the northern part of the North Coast Travel Management Area (TMA) in Oregon. Published by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS).
Brochure about Comfort Camping - Yurts, Cabins and Tepees - at Oregon State Parks. Published by Oregon State Parks.
Saddle Mountain SNA
https://oregonstateparks.org/index.cfm?do=parkPage.dsp_parkPage&parkId=140
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saddle_Mountain_State_Natural_Area
Saddle Mountain State Natural Area is located in the Northern Oregon Coast Range in central Clatsop County, about 20 miles (32 km) by road from Seaside. A 2.5-mile (4.0 km) long hiking trail climbs to the top of Saddle Mountain, which is located in the park. On clear days, the Pacific Ocean, Columbia River mouth and several of the Cascade mountains in Washington and Oregon can be seen from the summit.
A North Coast Landmark
S
7M
ILE
Saddle Moun
ta
in
Ro
ad
State Natural Area
Trail Guide
To Cannon Beach
Amateur geologists also find Saddle Mountain
intriguing. The mountain formed when a large lava
flow of Columbia River basalt touched the ancient sea.
Steam explosions caused by the hot rock hitting the
cold water broke the rock into a giant pile of basalt
fragments.
To Portland
26
53
To Nehalem
U.S. Navy Lt. Charles Wilkes named
Saddle Mountain in 1841 for the
low, saddle-like curve
between two peaks.
Saddle Mountain State Natural Area
On Saddle Mtn. Rd. off US 26,
14 mi. E of Cannon Beach
Park Office: 503-368-5154
Information line: 800-551-6949
oregonstateparks.org
Printed on Recycled Paper
All information or fees subject to change without notice.
This brochure is available in alternative formats upon request.
Call 1-800-551-6949. Oregon Relay for the hearing impaired: dial 711.
63400-8152 ( 10-18)
COVER PHOTO COURTESY OF MICHAEL CASH
Today, Saddle Mountain is cherished for its hiking,
colorful wildflowers and rare plants. The site is an
officially dedicated State Natural Area, the highest
level of protection and recognition of natural
habitat given under the Oregon Natural Areas Plan
and Oregon Natural Heritage Act. Botanists and
wildflower enthusiasts find the trail hike one of
the most interesting in northwestern Oregon. The
diversity and abundance of flowers, lichens and
mosses is remarkable.
State Natural Area
Saddle Mountain State Park is a rare living example
of the northern Oregon Coast Range’s ice age past.
Grasslands were once much more common in this
area. Since the last ice age, much of the grassland of
the coastal mountains has given way to forest. Over
time, plant species became isolated in fewer and
fewer grassland pockets. Some of the plants on Saddle
Mountain’s grassy slopes are rare because of the
habitat loss. Only a few coastal grassy “balds” remain
that host the rarest species found on Saddle Mountain.
COURTESY OF MICHAEL CASH
E
arly 20th-century park explorers described
Saddle Mountain as a “strikingly picturesque
pile of cliffed and chasmed rock.” Lewis and
Clark mention the mountain in their Dec. 17, 1805
journal entries, depicting it as “ruged and uneavin.”
The peak is a feature in Native American tribal
legends. The Clatsop Tribe called the mountain
“Swallalahoost.”
Saddle Mountain
Saddle Mountain
Elevation (ft)
3,400
3,200
2,800
2,600
2,400
2,200
2,000
1,800
1,600
The Trail
Saddle Mountain Trail Elevation Profile
0
.5
1
Distance (miles)
1.5
2
2.5
30
0
0'
1600'
Built by Civilian Conservation Corps workers in the
1930s, the trail zigzags through Douglas-fir, Sitka spruce,
western hemlock and noble fir stands. The forest gives
way to grassy slopes as the trail ascends the peak.
0'
2000'
32
0
Elev. 3283'
0
22
Hiking
0'
2400'
2600'
2800'
2800'
280
0
'
2600
'
0
32
2400
'
Elev. 3200'
0'
2200'
Rd
ain
Elev. 2775'
Parking
Restroom
1800'
t
oun
Saddle M
Viewpoint
Bridge
Saddle Mountain Trail:
2.5 miles 1,603’ elev. gain
◆
Elev. 1820'
Spur Trail:
.16 miles 140’ elev. gain
0
0.1
Saddle Mountain has a small, seasonal campground,
usually open March-October. Ten primitive, walkin tent sites are available first-come, first-served.
Saddle Mountain does not accommodate RV or
trailer camping. Visit www.oregonstateparks.org
for rate information.
The main trail is recommended for experienced
hikers wearing proper footwear and clothing. Weather
conditions can change rapidly, bringing wind and rain
year round and snow in the winter. Portions of the trail
can be slick in wet conditions. The trail climbs 1,603
feet over 2.5 miles, and is steep and difficult in spots.
The challenge is well worth the breathtaking reward.
If you don’t feel up to the main hike, try the short,
10-minute Humbug Mountain viewpoint trail that shoots
off from the main trail a quarter mile from the trailhead.
The spur trail gradually climbs to the top of a small
peak and has views of Saddle Mountain.
Friendly Reminders
Primitive Camping
◆
The spring and summer wildflower display on Saddle
2400'
Mountain
intrigues wildflower enthusiasts all season
long. Flowers bloom May-July, sometimes into August
depending on the weather. Please don’t pick them so
others can enjoy the show.
Camping
'
3000
'
2000
Elev. 1680'
If the lure of spring wildflowers isn’t enough to entice
you to the top, the panoramic view from the 3,283-foot
summit will. Fog and clouds often shroud the peak, but
on a clear day you can see the sweep of the Columbia
River as it enters the sea, miles of Pacific shoreline—
and on the eastern horizon, the Cascade Mountains in
Oregon and Washington.
0.2
• Please do not pick or dig plants or flowers.
26• Stay on the trail. Shortcuts cause erosion and harm
00
'
plants and wildlife.
• If you pack it in, pack it out.
• Dogs are permitted on leashes (6’ max). Please
dispose waste properly.
• Campfires are allowed in the campground only.
• Restrooms are
OREGON STATE
PARKS GUIDE
CAMPGROUNDS | DAY-USE AREAS | HERITAGE SITES
2022 CENTENNIAL EDITION
South Falls, Silver Falls
State Park
WELCOME
02 Celebrating 100 Years
04 Save the Date
06 Overnight Facilities
07 Group Facilities
08 State Parks Map
10 North Coast
16 Central Coast
22 South Coast
28 Portland/Columbia River Gorge
36 Willamette Valley
42 Southern Oregon
48 Central Oregon
53 Eastern Oregon
59 Know Before You Go
Cover photo: Bradley State Scenic Viewpoint, circa 1920s
All you need for
your next
adventure is here.
Portland/
Columbia River Gorge
North
Coast
store.oregonstateparks.org
Eastern
Oregon
Central
Coast
Shop for outdoor gear and apparel
Buy annual day-use parking permits
South
Coast
Willamette
Valley
Southern
Oregon
Central
Oregon
HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE
Park Classifications
SRA/SRS: State Recreation Area/Site
Locations with access to a variety of
recreational pursuits.
SSV/C: State Scenic Viewpoint/Corridor
Roadside spots and driving routes with a view.
Don’t forget your camera.
SHS/SHA: State Heritage Site/Area
Sites with important historic, prehistoric and
cultural resources that preserve Oregon’s history.
SNA/SNS: State Natural Area/Site
Valuable habitats that need your help to
stay healthy. Expect more nature and fewer
developed facilities.
Symbols
Beach
access
Bike
path
Boat
ramp
Day-use
parking fee
Cabin
Deluxe Deluxe yurt Disc golf
cabin
course
Dump
station
Fishing
Group
camp
Hiker/Biker
camping
Hiking
trail
Horse trail
Marina
Paddling Pet-friendly Picnic Playground Reservable Restroom Restroom
yurt or cabin facilities
sites
non-flush
RV and Tent Scenic
camping
views
Hot Interpretive
showers information
Swimming Waterfall Wind sports Wildlife Year-round
viewing camping
Yurt
A blue circle indicates that some, but not all,
facilities are accessible according to Americans
with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards. It means
you can expect an accessible parking space, a clear
path of travel to the facility and adherence to
established ADA guidelines at that facility. For
specific information, call the Oregon State Parks
Information Line at 1-800-551-6949 (Oregon
Relay for the hearing impaired: dial 7-1-1).
State Wayside
A small parcel of roadside land with parking,
picnic tables and restrooms.
All parks have potable water and are open
year-round for day use unless otherwise noted.
represents year-round camping
This symbol
or lodging.
Notes for RVers
Each listing notes the maximum length of campsites
if RV camping is allowed; both the RV and any
towed vehicles must be able to fit into this space.
Some parks have pull-through sites—these are also
to
noted in the listings. Look for this symbol
find parks with RV dump stations. Please use these
stations to empty full holding tanks rather than
campsite connections, which can overflow.
Please note: This guide provides information
about the most developed and/or frequently
visited state parks. It is available in other formats
upon request. All information is subject to change
without notice. Check website or call 800-551-6949
for most current information.
stateparks.oregon.gov 1
CELEBRATING
100 YEARS OF
OREGON STATE PARKS
A hundred years ago, state parks were barely an idea in Oregon, little
more than patches of roadside greenery. A 5-acre donation in 1922
— setting aside a special place for everyone — became Oregon’s first
official state park.
From 1922 to 1989, Oregon’s state park system grew within the Oregon
Department of Transportation and its predecessor agencies. Oregon
Parks and Recreation officially became an independent agency in 1990
with much fanfare and public engagement. Today, the state park system
comprises 254 park properties and more than 100,000 acres.
In 2022, we invite you to join us in celebrating this milestone. It’s a year
to reflect on the past 100 years and look to the future as we work to
preserve this legacy for the next generation.
Follow
Oregon
State Parks
• Photos
• Trivia
• Events
#oregonstateparks
#oregonstateparks100
Give back to the parks you love.
100 projects for 100 years
bit.ly/OregonStateParksVolunteer
2 stateparks.oregon.gov
|
RESERVATIONS: 800-452-5687
|
INFORMATION: 800-551-6949
STRONGER
Together
OREGON STATE PARKS &
OREGON LOTTERY DOLLARS
It Started
with One
Woman’s Vision
On the day after her 1845 wedding,
Sarah Helmick left behind friends,
family, and everything she had ever
known. She and her husband loaded
all they could in a covered wagon
and set out across the plains for
Oregon. They took up a land claim
that included several scenic, shaded
acres along the Luckiamute River, just
south of Monmouth. There, they raised family,
farmed, and, in Sarah’s case, lived to celebrate
her 100th birthday. Sarah marked this milestone
in the early 1920s with a momentous gift—not one
she received, but one she gave. She donated
several acres of the family’s original land claim
to the State of Oregon for use as a park, a
place we know today as the Sarah Helmic
Cabins
How to Reserve Yurts,
Cabins and Tepees
Reserve early! You can make a reservation
one day to nine months in advance by visiting
oregonstateparks.org or by calling
(800) 452-5687 Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
You must be 18 or older to make a reservation,
and an adult must be present during the stay.
Pay for your reservation using a debit or
credit card (Visa or MasterCard).
Call (800) 452-5687 or visit
oregonstateparks.org to find out
current camping rates. All rates and policies are
subject to change without notice.
Homey, cozy and secure. Cabins offer a rustic but comfortable
camping experience for any season. Our cabins have lights,
electrical outlets, six-foot covered porches, and outdoor fire
rings. We offer both single- and double-room rustic cabins as
well as double-room deluxe cabins with extra creature comforts.
Single-room cabins sleep three to five people; double-room
cabins sleep five to six. (The duplex Totem Cabin at Emigrant
Springs sleeps three people on each side.) The dimensions and
floor plans of cabins vary; call (800) 551-6949 to get specifics
for each park.
Rustic Cabin Amenities
Dining
Table
• Bunk bed and futon couch and/or double bed
with vinyl mattresses
Futon Couch/
Double Bed
• Table and chairs
• Bathroom with shower
• Sink
• TV with DVD player
(not available at all parks)
• Refrigerator
Double Bed
Yurts, Cabins and Tepees
One-room rustic cabin, 13’ x 13’. LaPine rustic cabins have
two double beds.
Futon Couch/
Double Bed
Futon Couch/
Double Bed
Refrigerator
Microwave
Dining
Table
Covered
Porch
Dining
Table
Covered
Porch
Prineville Reservoir deluxe cabin, 20’ x 18’. Style below also available.
Twin/Full
Bunk Bed
Two-room rustic cabin at L.L. “Stub” Stewart State Park, 16’ x 24’.
Double Bed
Futon Couch/
Double Bed
Covered
Porch
oregonstateparks.org
This brochure is available in alternative formats upon request.
Twin/Double
Bunk Bed
Dining
Table
Two-room rustic cabin, 13’ x 15’.
Cabins at Emigrant Springs State Heritage Area
Single
Upper Bunk
Lower
Double Bed
Living
Room
Dining
Table
Call 1-800-551-6949. Oregon Relay for the hearing impaired: dial 711.
63400-8040 (2/18)
Futon Couch/
Double Bed
Covered
Porch
All information subject to change without notice.
Printed on recycled paper.
Twin/Full
Bunk
Bed
BBQ
BBQ
Oregon Parks and Recreation Department
725 Summer St. NE, Suite C
Salem, OR 97301
(800) 551-6949
Shower
One-room rustic cabin at L.L. “Stub” Stewart State Park, 16’ x 16’.
Dining
Table
Shower
Refrigerator
Microwave
Deluxe cabin at The Cove Palisades (14’ x 18’);
Cape Lookout (14’ x 21’)* and (16’ x 24’); LaPine (16’ x 24’);
Fort Stevens (16’ x 24’); and Prineville Reservoir (16’ x 24’).
Deluxe cabin at Cape Lookout State Park
Comfort
Camping
• Indoor cooking permitted
Twin/Full
Bunk Bed
Covered
Porch
Yurts and cabins extend the camping season so
that you can experience crisp autumn mornings,
gentle spring rains and winter snowfall. Offseason is the perfect time to enjoy fall colors,
strap on your snowshoes or cross-country skis, or
simply absorb the peaceful quiet.
• Propane BBQ outside
• Microwave
• Table and chairs
Twin/Full
Bunk Bed
Year-round Camping
Deluxe Cabin
Amenities
Covered
Porch
• Bunk bed(s) and futon couch or double
bed with vinyl mattresses
Parking for one vehicle is included with
each reservation. Extra vehicles can be
accommodated at most parks for an additional
charge per night—call ahead to check.
Universal Access: Most campgrounds have
ADA-accessible yurts and cabins. See the map
inside for details.
Twin/Double
Bunk Bed
* No door between living room and bedroom. Bed arrangement also differs.
Yurts at Beverly Beach State Park
I
f you like the idea of camping but long for something more comfortable than a tent yet simpler
than an RV, we have just the thing. Yurts, cabins and tepees are snug and secure, and they require
no setup. Most important, they’ll keep you and your gear dry and warm no matter what the weather.
What to Bring
What to Know
• Sleeping bags or bedding
• Towels
• Cooking and eating utensils
• Check-in is at 4 p.m. Check-out is at 1 p.m.
Quiet hours are 10 p.m. - 7 a.m.
• Portable heating devices and open fires are not
allowed inside yurts, cabins or tepees for safety
reasons. Each site includes an outdoor fire ring.
• Indoor cooking is only permitted inside deluxe yurts and
deluxe cabins, and is limited to the provided microwaves.
• No smoking is allowed.
Fort
Stevens
47
Enjoy the year-round comforts of a large
domed tent with a locking door, lights,
electrical outlets, heating, windows, skylight
and wooden floors. Umpqua Lighthouse is the
only state park with deluxe yurts—all others
are rustic. Rustic yurts sleep five; deluxe yurts
can accommodate up to seven.
• Bunk bed and futon couches with vinyl mattresses
• Table and chairs
• Refrigerator
• Covered deck
• Microwave
• Propane BBQ
and fire ring
• Bathroom with shower
• Indoor cooking permitted
Rustic