Mayer State Park, State park in The Dalles, United States
Mayer State Park stretches along the Columbia River Gorge with a sheltered cove, forests of ponderosa pines, and the elevated Rowena Crest viewpoint. The park divides into three distinct sections, each offering its own recreation options such as windsurfing, swimming, and fishing.
Mark A. Mayer donated 260 acres of his orchard land to Wasco County in 1924, establishing the foundation for today's state park. This generous gift made it possible to preserve this gorge area for public use.
The park sits next to the Tom McCall Nature Preserve, where native plants and land protection efforts reflect Oregon's natural heritage. Walking through these connected spaces, you sense how much the community values keeping this landscape unchanged.
The park offers different entry points depending on what you want to do: the eastern section is best for windsurfers, while the middle sections work well for swimming and fishing. Check out the layout before you arrive so you can pick the right access point for your plans.
The park contains the Rowena Loops, a series of paved switchbacks that wind down from Rowena Crest to the village below. This famous road route is also popular with cyclists who enjoy the changing views of the gorge at each turn.
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