TouVelle State Recreation Site — Attraction in Oregon

In town for work and getting back into fishing again so I decided to bring my spinner set-up to Medford with me. Found this park on Google maps so I came to check it out. Not that I explored the whole thing a ton, but for fishing it was easier to access the river from the bank on the boat ramp area. When you first come in on the road to the boat ramp area, you turn left after the kiosk and park in the dirt lot, and it is actually sandy in the water for about the first six feet then it turns into river rock. I just waded into the water with shorts and water shoes and yes it’s refreshing but it isn’t super cold.

I used a 1/4 oz silver and blue Kastmaster and caught an eight inch rainbow on like my third cast, and then a few small fry. Lost the lure on the boulders in the river and switched to a 3/8 silver Kastmaster and caught two more 8-9 inch trout. Then the biggest of the evening was a 12 inch trout on a 3/8 oz gold Kastmaster. All of the fish I caught were gorgeous native rainbows with just a ton of silver on their sides and they were all pretty good fighters with a lot of head shaking, since I figured the hotel wouldn’t want fried trout smell in the room I practiced some catch and release.

That was just the fishing, the fauna was on point here too. I got to witness nature at it’s finest on a gorgeous summer evening. Highlights were watching a huge family of ducks swimming down the river, an osprey flying down the river looking for fish and the best part was the doe and her fawn that came out at dusk and the little guy was running around the trees in the parking lot and bounding around it was fun to watch.

A couple of tips. By the boat ramp they have a self serve kiosk for a park pass, cash or check only. But if you cross back over the bridge they have a credit card reader at the main park at the self serve kiosk if you don’t carry cash or a checkbook.

I’ll be...

This is a gorgeous place...river front, but not really a beach front..more for fishing and scenery..lots of picnic tables, restrooms and parking.my favorite is the trails..from the furthest back lot take the trail with the little bridge crossing the creek and follow it along the river bank until you come upon the wildlife area, there's a message board, you can continue on through the area with trails off to the rocky river side or travel up following the road and you will come to the denman trail marker which is along a pond.it Will eventually loop you back down to the parking lot you started at..it is a gorgeous moderate 1.5-2m all together hike..that's a guesstimate. I seen lots of birds including the elusive pheasant in beautiful colors... evidence of coyote and other river animals. There are benches along the way to take in the views from atop the area overlooking all the marsh and tall grass you weren't able to see from below.this is a hunting area so be aware of your surroundings...take water binoculars and...

Very beautiful. Lots of fishing spots and boat launch areas. We were in search of a swimming hole for our grandson tho and this was a bit harder to find. On the map at the main park area that Google takes you to it showed only one swimming area. It's across the bridge and to the left and then another left once in the park. A bit hidden. I included a photo to show the proximity to the bridge. This spot actually had a decent "beach" area and very shallow and almost still water which is great for the under 10 kids. Also several shaded picnic tables. Four stars because the location only has porta pottys for bathrooms and not well maintained. Also while the "beach" area is nice, it's only really big enough for a family or two. It's also right next to the loading dock for the Rouge river boat tours. So you have boats going in and out. However I will say they were VERY polite and waited to hit the gas till the wake wouldn't affect...