Mayer State Park — Attraction in The Dalles

A park with views of and access to the Columbia River. It is open for day use only, no camping. Recreational opportunities include picnicking, fishing, boating, windsurfing, canoeing, and kayaking. Dogs are allowed on leash. Directional signs end after you cross railroad tracks, but either right or left gets you to the park. To the right is posted East Mayer. A parking fee is required. It looked like cash or check only in a drop box. An Oregon State Parks annual pass is available online. This area has paved parking, some lawn and picnic tables. Relatively clean and well maintained pit toilets. On 04/12/2024 around noon a black lab with a red collar was running loose. There were no other cars. It was not aggressive. To the left after the railroad tracks takes you to a boat launch area. There is paved parking, a boat launch, a few picnic tables and pit toilets. A few loaner life jackets were available. We saw one BBQ. We didn't see any indication of fees to park or launch. On 04/12 the boat launch area was closed for construction. No turn around available unless you drive into the construction area or have a small vehicle. The restroom along the road was posted closed...

This place is great to fish, kayak or place a boat. It used to be a nice trail to walk into the park, but right now as of 8/23/25 there are people living back there with all the additions to a campground, but this isn’t a campground! Now when I fish I have to conceal carry just to get to where I go to fish! The girl hide behind her hanging towels yesterday as I approached, I turned and went a different route! She’s living on the public land portion not the small patch of NF! I hope a ranger removes her quickly, idk if others are with her but it’s gross and doesn’t smell like you’re in a thick covered area with fruit and wildlife,...

The State park is nice with large trees and right on river. The bad thing is the boat ramp at the dock. The launch surface under the water has been badly deteriorated and leans heavily to the port side of your boat. Launching isn't a problem, but pulling your boat out is near impossible. I had to get into the water to my belly to hold the boat in position on a trailer listing near 35 degrees. One of the bunks broke as the boat rested on it and twisted when settling as the truck pulled it out. Most people don't pull out at the dock and drive their boats on their trailers near the far shore where the...