Mayer State Park, State park in The Dalles, United States
Mayer State Park is a state park along the Columbia River Gorge in Oregon, with a sheltered cove, forests of ponderosa pines, and the Rowena Crest viewpoint high above the river. The park is split into three sections, each set up for a different use: windsurfing to the east, and swimming and fishing in the central areas.
In 1924, Mark A. Mayer donated roughly 260 acres of his orchard land to Wasco County, and that gift laid the foundation for the park as it exists today. Over time, the site grew and was officially designated as a state park.
The park sits next to the Tom McCall Nature Preserve, a protected area with native plants and open meadows that visitors can walk through freely. The two areas flow into each other, so moving between them gives a clear sense of how this stretch of the gorge has been kept largely intact.
The park has several separate entry points, so it helps to decide in advance which section you want to visit since each area has its own access road. The eastern end near Rufus is set up for windsurfers, while the central sections are better suited for swimming and fishing.
The Rowena Loops, a series of paved switchbacks descending from Rowena Crest to the valley below, are part of the old Historic Columbia River Highway, one of the first paved scenic roads in the US. Cyclists ride the route regularly, as each bend opens up a different view of the river and the surrounding cliffs.
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