Relax at Catherine Creek State Park in Eastern Oregon

Outside of Union, Oregon, is a beautiful little spot called Catherine Creek State Park. This park is beautiful and uncrowded and boasts a number of recreational opportunities for all ages. If you are looking for a secluded location that your entire family will enjoy, be sure and visit Catherine Creek State Park.

Here are some ideas for Eastern Oregon recreation at Catherine Creek:

Camping

Camping is available on a first-come, first-served basis, so be sure and get to the park early to have a camp spot. Only 20 primitive sites are offered. This means that competition is fierce, but it also means that if you get a place, you won’t have to be surrounded by hundreds of other campers.

Rates from May 1 to September 30 are $9/night. During the rest of the year, the rate is lowered to $5/night. However, the park does close during the winter. Weather affects the length of the open season.

Hiking

Catherine Creek also has a wonderful trail for hiking. Explore the natural wonders of the area as you exercise along the fairly easy terrain. Enjoy gazing at Ponderosa pines and other trees, viewing local wildlife such as deer, and discovering the beauty of the surrounding mountains.

Fishing

Fishing is a fantastic way to spend an afternoon at Catherine Creek State Park. The waters are clear and pristine. Fisherpeople will enjoy walking the banks of Catherine Creek, searching for Rainbow Trout. Watch your feet for snakes! As a bonus, if you catch a fish, you have a tasty dinner ahead of you.

Swimming

Most of Catherine Creek is fairly shallow. However, at the day use area, near the bridge, there is at least one slightly deeper pool that can be a great place for kids to splash around in. Since summer temperatures in Eastern Oregon can be quite high, adults, too, might want to at least put their feet in the water and cool down.

Picnicking

Even if you don’t have an entire weekend to spend camping, you can still take some time to drive to Catherine Creek State Park and share a picnic with friends. The day use area of the park is sprinkled with picnic tables and barbecue grills for everyone’s use. Enjoy lunch under the shade of a tall evergreen. And not to be forgotten is the fact that the park has full restroom facilities that are regularly cleaned. No need to worry about having to go in the woods or a nasty outhouse.

However you choose to enjoy Catherine Creek, the state park is a beautiful place to relax in peaceful surroundings. Eastern Oregon is a gorgeous and often overlooked part of the state, and the little corner of Catherine Creek can be your way to travel close to home and enjoy a slice of paradise.

Sources and Further Reading

http://www.oregonstateparks.org/park_17.php”>Catherine Creek State Park


People also view

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *