Reader’s Digest names the best state parks in Oregon and Washington

Oregon and Washington are home to hundreds of state parks.

From coastal cliffs and waterfall-lined hikes to volcanic peaks and high desert formations, each state park offers visitors a unique and fulfilling experience while exploring the Pacific Northwest.

Reader’s Digest recently featured a list of “the best state park in every state,” highlighting destinations that offer everything from beaches and waterfalls to hiking trails, historic sites, and mountain scenery.

The parks are “often easier to access and cheaper than big-name national parks, especially with recent federal cuts to the National Park Service, and they’re a great way to celebrate our nation’s founding with your family,” said Reader’s Digest.

Two PNW state parks were highlighted by the publication as the best in Oregon and Washington.

Here’s which ones made the list and why.

Which Oregon state park did Reader’s Digest highlight?

Reader’s Digest selected Silver Falls State Park as Oregon’s best state park.

Located east of Salem near Silverton, Silver Falls is Oregon’s largest state park and one of the state’s most recognizable hiking destinations.

The park covers more than 9,000 acres and is best known for the Trail of Ten Falls, a roughly 7-mile loop that takes hikers past 10 waterfalls.

Several sections of the trail also take visitors behind waterfalls, giving hikers a view that is difficult to find on many Northwest trails.

South Falls is one of the park’s best-known attractions. The waterfall drops 177 feet, and a trail passes through a cavern behind the falls.

Visitors can also find shorter hiking options for those who do not want to complete the entire Trail of Ten Falls.

What else can visitors do at Silver Falls State Park?

Waterfalls may get most of the attention, but Silver Falls offers more than hiking.

Visitors can camp, picnic, bike, ride horses on designated trails, and explore more than 35 miles of backcountry trails. The park also has cabins and other overnight accommodations.

Its location makes Silver Falls accessible for both a day trip and a longer Oregon itinerary. The park is about 25 miles east of Salem and roughly 60 miles south of Portland.

That puts it within reach of travelers exploring the Willamette Valley while still providing the forests and waterfalls associated with western Oregon.

Drivers who park in the Silver Falls State Park parking lot will need a daily or annual Oregon State Parks parking pass.

Planning a visit to Silver Falls State Park? Travelers can also explore guided tours and activities around Silver Falls and the Willamette Valley. Compare tour prices at Booking.com.

Which Washington state park made the list?

For Washington, Reader’s Digest selected Deception Pass State Park.

The park sits on Whidbey and Fidalgo islands in Northwest Washington, with the well-known Deception Pass bridges connecting the two islands.

Visitors can explore saltwater shoreline, old-growth forest, freshwater lakes, beaches, and viewpoints overlooking Deception Pass.

The park covers more than 4,000 acres and includes miles of hiking trails, making it one of Washington’s major outdoor recreation destinations.

Visitors can hike, camp, fish, boat, kayak, explore beaches, and watch for wildlife.

Drivers who park in the Deception Pass parking lot will need a daily or annual Discover Pass.

Why is Deception Pass a popular Washington stop?

Location is part of the appeal.

Deception Pass sits between Whidbey Island and the Anacortes area, making the park a convenient stop for travelers exploring Northwest Washington.

The Deception Pass Bridge is also an attraction of its own.

The bridge crosses high above the narrow channel separating Whidbey and Fidalgo islands, with viewpoints providing a look at the water and surrounding landscape.

Travelers can combine a park visit with stops on Whidbey Island or continue north toward Anacortes and the San Juan Islands.

Visitors can find boat tours, whale-watching trips, and other experiences around Whidbey and Fidalgo islands at booking.com.