Cottonwood Canyon State Park — Attraction in Goldendale

Car camped at Lone Tree Primitive Campground 10/9/19 to 10/10/19. Pit toilets were clean. Low Temps were in the 20s. The meteor shower was awesome. Camp hosts were still on site. Camp spot was $10/nt and $7 for extra vehicles.

Came here to hike the lost corral trail in the JS Burres area, here there are vaulted toilets that are kept really clean, huge parking area with enough turning radius for trailers and boats, a boat ramp. Says there is a picnic area, but it looks more like a swimming area, there are no picnic tables. Beautiful hiking and a must stop. I hiked 11.2 miles on this trail. I also visited the state park after hiking as it is across the river from lost corral trailhead. There is lots to see and do in this state park. Lots of trails. They have fishing poles and bikes you can use free of charge. A horseshoes pit with horseshoes on hand. 4 cabin rentals ($48/night) two of which (rattle snake and bighorn) allow dogs $58/night, with one vehicle included and private spaces and a $7 charge for additional vehicles. The cabins were just built last summer, looks like they have a/c and heat, two sets of bunk beds and a queen bed, a sitting area and a desk.They also have primitive camping with vaulted toilets close to the campground. There are heated bathrooms with flushing toilets close to day use parking area. The showers are free for people camping and charge $2 with hot and cold water for day trippers. Check out the information center on your arrival it's open from dawn to dusk. When I visited I met ranger Randall and he gave me a really cool behind the scenes look of the park. Ranger randall was super friendly and knowledgeable. There is smoking allowed in campsites and cars but no where else. Day use is free. In the summers it can get really full here. There is a hiker/biker camp as well that I believe is free. As well as a group camping area, all near the primitive campground. There is potable water here. No electric or water hookups. I visited on 12/10/18 and only saw a couple of cars in the park area at any given time of the day. On the lost corral trail I saw 2 other fishermen. There was a light dusting of snow on the trails and the roads to the park are kept in great condition, I was following a snow plow dumping de-icer on the roads. Just getting off the 84 there is some road work with a stop sign that drops the road to one lane. Lots of history and cool things to see at this park.

12/17/18 Pinnacles trail. 10.8 miles Saw a family of raccoons, over 5 on the side of the road right before the downgrade on the 206 east, pretty cool. Right as I entered the campground I saw a deer crossing the road. Hiked the Pinnacles trail this am 12/17/18. Started at 7am, 39 degrees out I believe. Easy trail, not alot of elevation and ends at a gate that is closed and chained shut with barbed wire fencing on both sides. Didn't see a soul on the trail, but as I was making my way back I heard a gunshot. Heard some coyotes or dogs howling on the way back as well. Finished the trail at 12pm. Drove up the 84 east from Vancouver and pouring down rain with blinding splashes from semis and white out fog near hood river, the dalles and again when I...

This place is amazing and gorgeous. We went in the Spring and are considering returning in the Fall. During our visit we found that the moment we said, "Oh, hey, it's nice and warm now," it changed! Suddenly, there'd be an icy gust of wind. We saw dust devils touch down, and realized that the shape of the canyon means that the air actually spins into the campground. It was so gusty we had guy our shelter into place because stakes hammered into the loops at the base of our tent would unfortunately pull back out of the gravel pad almost immediately.

Erecting the tent against the wind would turn out to be our biggest challenge, that and having the right outerware with us when hiking. Don't trust how the clouds look and be ready for rain and winds in the Spring.

On another note, the grounds here are wonderful with lots of hiking to be done on mostly flat, well-maintained valley bottom trails. I was particularly impressed with the bicycle maintenance station. And, it was very nice to get my puppy off the gravel, and away from the weedy hitchhiker grass seeded areas, for a bit, on the well-maintained lawn in the events area. You can sit in a rustic rocking chair on the porch over there, if that's your speed.

Be warned that the scale is immense, almost like that of Bryce canyon, and everything is farther away than you...

Open year round for day use and camping. Created in 2013, second largest Oregon State Park with over 8,000 acres located in both Sherman and Gilliam Counties. Additional 10,000 acres of public land surround the park managed by Blm.

JS Burres recreation site located next to Cottonwood Bridge crossing Wild & Scenic John Day River. Popular boat launch and take out for those floating from Service Creek or Clarno.

From JS Burres, Lost Corral Trail follows South side John Day River 4.3 miles one way downstream and is open to hikers, bikers and equestrians. From Lone Tree Campground, Pinnacles Trail follows North side John Day River 4.3 miles one way downstream and is open to hikers and bikers. On other side of bridge, Hard Stone Trail travels upstream along John Day River for 1.5 miles one way and is open to foot traffic only.

Lone tree campground has 21 primitive sites for tents and self-contained RVs; max site size is 75 feet. There's also a group tent camp area for up to 25 people and a hiker/biker camp with seven sites. Potable water and vault toilets also available. Cell phone service not available...